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.

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Fast Facts

Author:  db nielsen
Genre: YA, NA, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Book: SEED: Keepers of Genesis I, and SCROLL: Keepers of Genesis II

Official Site

Bio

db nielsen was born in British Hong Kong and immigrated to Australia in childhood. db likes to travel the world with family; piding time between residing in Sydney and visits to the cathedrals, crypts and museums the world over, doing research for new projects. The author is a university lecturer in Linguistics and Semiotics, and continues to teach English Literature and Language whilst writing fiction.

Blurb

Introducing Keepers of Genesis, a gripping new epic adventure series from talented debut author D B Nielsen. A magical blend of romance, fantasy and fascinating ancient history, this captivating four-part series comprising SEED, SCROLL, SWORD and STONE is already enthralling a legion of young adult readers and crossover fiction fans alike.

Twilight meets A Discovery of Witches in this addictive, fast paced series featuring inquisitive seventeen-year-old twins Sage and Saffron Woods who become embroiled in a thrilling quest when an artefact, long sought after, suddenly reappears in present day southern Iraq – a land long considered the cradle of civilization, ancient Mesopotamia. With its unearthing, a centuries-old conflict is reignited; a conflict that takes the sisters from the British Museum to Paris to the Vatican Secret Archives and the catacombs in Rome. In a race against time the twins discover not only deeply hidden secrets of the ancient world but embark on a journey of self-discovery and coming of age that uncovers their own passionate feelings for unearthly immortals.

One daring quest, twin sisters and their sweeping and adventurous romances, a perilous rivalry, mysterious Nephilim (offspring of Fallen Angels), intriguing exploration of some of Western culture’s greatest mysteries, a magical tale of angels and demons throughout the ages. Incorporating well researched historical facts intertwined with myth, fantasy, fascinating esoterica, literary allusions and a love story, Keepers of Genesis is a compelling read which marks the arrival of a wonderful new voice in the young adult crossover fiction genre appealing to fans of Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush, Hush saga, Lauren Kate’s Fallen series and Deborah Harkness’ bestselling All Souls trilogy.

 Seed Blurb

A powerful, hidden artifact is unearthed and, with its discovery, an ancient conflict is reignited. Seventeen-year-old Sage Woods, the daughter of an eminent archaeologist, uncovers the artifact’s disturbing secret and is placed in terrible danger. Unwittingly, she has stumbled into an invisible war between two primordial dynasties of a supernatural order – a war in which she has a fateful role to play in a race to control the power of the SEED.

Embroiled in a quest that takes her from the British Museum to the Louvre to the Vatican Secret Archives, Sage realizes that her blossoming romance with the mysterious, alluring St. John Rivers is inextricably tied to the artifact. Up until now, St. John has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Sage is determined to delve deeper to uncover his dark secret and his connection to the SEED.

It is a decision that will have a devastating effect on humankind…

SEED is the first book in the Keepers of Genesis series

 Scroll Blurb

IDENTICAL TWIN SISTERS. POLES APART. LIGHT AND SHADOW. THEIR DESTINIES INTERLOCKED IN A QUEST THAT WILL DETERMINE THE FATE OF HUMANKIND…

Seventeen-year-old Saffron Woods, twin sister to Sage, is haunted by strange voices as if from some distant past. With the SEED’s sentience awakened, these mystical voices intensify, forcing Saffron to acknowledge that she has also inherited its legacy of dark secrets, intrigue and death. Venturing out alone, Saffron is driven to locate an ancient manuscript, the other half of a Cosmic Map charting the location of the only undiscovered Wonder of the Ancient World, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon; gateway to the Garden of Eden. But last seen in the Library of Alexandria, the SCROLL is thought to be lost to humankind.

Then Saffron meets the compelling caretaker of Satis House who appears to know more than he is willing to reveal. Knowing she cannot trust him, Saffron is still drawn to this rebellious boy who seems to both threaten and protect her. But her feelings for Finn are complicated by the charming yet inscrutable Anakim, Gabriel Chevalier, who offers her his invaluable assistance in locating the elusive manuscript.

Torn between competing passions and facing an increasingly implacable enemy, the Grigori, Saffron struggles to find the SCROLL which holds the secrets to the past and the key to the future…

SCROLL is the second book in the Keepers of Genesis series

Book Reviews

Seed

***** With all of the zest and determination of a teen, ignoring the fact that she has been told NOT to disturb her archeologist father in his office, Sage plows through his door and her life becomes the thing of myth, the supernatural and ancient history coming to life. So, maybe not her best move, but a highly secret artifact is communicating with her, she feels the secrets it keeps locked away. What does it mean for her? Sage becomes fascinated by the inhumanly handsome and charismatic St. John Rivers, who is also part of her father’s team of experts, but he runs hot and cold, one minute the dashing flirt, the next he is the absent-minded professor, ignoring her while lost in his thoughts. But is her really just another brilliant human or is their more to how he always seems to show up in Sage’s life? The artifact is part of a supernatural war between two dynasties and Sage has been chosen by fate to become part of this war. What if she chooses wrong in her quest for answers and to understand this ancient piece? She and St. John will travel across Europe in search of clues to save the world, do they lie in the archives at the Vatican? Will she discover St. John’s true identity, as well as the identities of the warring factions? Winner takes all, including the fate of the world’s souls, and the clock is ticking as each hour becomes more dangerous for Sage and her guardian, St. John. Their feelings must be set aside, possibly forever, but is that fair?

Action, adventure, mystery and a touch of the supernatural, a battle going back in time thousands of years, is there some mystical secret held within the artifact; does it touch on religious beliefs from long ago? Seed by D. B. Nielsen is more than a fast-paced journey into the unknown, the unimaginable. D.B. Nielsen has blended truth, suppositions and an author’s imagination into a read that becomes spell-binding, to say the least!

Do you like the hunt for ancient treasures with unexplainable powers and dark secrets? Do you get chills from knowing an artifact holds the future of the world in its secrets? D.B. Nielsen has a feast for your senses with Seed. With characters and scenes that scream, can you believe this? There is no choice but to answer YES!, the writing is that powerful, the tale that intense. If this is the future of N/A reading, I would say, the literary world should be celebrating with gusto! Get ready for one of the best games of supernatural cat and mouse to hit the decks running!

Seed: Keepers of Genesis 1  by d.b.nielsen

I absolutely loved it. It has all of my favorite things…some kind of quest (usually religious), a love story, mystery, thriller, adventure, twins!, family, evil bad guys, good bad guys(?), heroines, heroes, history, excitement, fear, animals, fancy cars and places, fashion, strained and strong relationships, mentors, other things I can’t mention(spoilers). Did I mention twins?!! I read the little teaser of the next story (at the end of this one) and I can tell you I am on it the moment it releases! 

So, so good! I hope they make movies someday!

I also enjoyed the various lovely words to look up in the dictionary. Not to say I didn’t understand what they meant in the context but I do enjoy words and sometimes I just want to know more. Does that make me a dictionary nerd?

Highly Recommended if this is your thing 🙂

I borrowed this book from Amazon’s Prime Members Lending Library so I could read it with Goodreads Indie Book Club. Thanks, it’s been great 🙂

Scroll: Keepers of genesis II

The second is even better then the first. Sage finds out her twin is also the wise one! Her twin has all the qualities she does not so the compliment one another. There is m o re adventure and Fi is very spirited, could she be in love with the wrong one? Danger, battles,love and adventure what more can one ask for. I totally enjoyed this story the sense of humor, heart ache it has it all. I am so excited to read the next book! I rate this book a 5 stars!

Excerpt from Seed

It was because I was so transfixed with my find that I initially failed to notice that I was being scrutinized from across the room. The first I became aware of it was a prickling sensation down my back, the hairs on my neck and arms raised giving me goose bumps. I turned my head round nervously, looking back over my shoulder.

He stood at a distance, a young man in his mid-twenties perhaps, taller than average. No mere accident of lighting, his slightly curly locks, the colour of polished brass, formed a halo around a face that was much too beautiful to be called handsome. The only way to describe him was golden. His skin was golden, his hair, which he wore slightly longer than was fashionable, curling into the nape of his neck, was golden and I suspected his eye colour was, if not golden, amber like mine.

When I caught him staring at me intently, he neither looked away in embarrassment nor did he pretend to know me. Instead, he continued to assess me with an unblinking, hypnotic gaze. It was I who broke contact first; flushing with embarrassment, I dropped my eyes at once.

This can’t be happening! I thought, feeling panicky. Dragging in a deep breath, my eyes skittered back to his. He was still staring at me, his indescribably beautiful face unmoved.

My heart fluttered in my chest. I didn’t know what to think – was this some random stalker or had he seen me before around the museum and couldn’t place my face, seeming familiar to him? No serial killer looked the way he did. He was dressed immaculately all in black; a pair of black trousers was topped by a fine woollen black turtleneck. He wore the sleeves rolled up, exposing his sun-kissed skin. And the black only accentuated the perfection of his face. Of course, I had no idea what a serial killer looked like, but I was fairly certain it wasn’t this golden god.

As curious as I was, I did the only thing that made sense; I ignored him – or pretended to. Deliberately turning my back on him, I tried to refocus on the tablet in front of me. But I was merely staring blankly, nothing was registering. It was all so unreal.

‘It’s not real.’ A low, attractive voice remarked by my side.

Character Bio

Name: Elijah St. John Rivers (prefers to be called St. John)

Born in ancient Phoenicia, St. John is over six foot tall; buff; has slightly curly locks, the colour of polished brass. He wears it slightly longer than is fashionable, curling into the nape of his neck. He has unusual jade green eyes with flecks of gold in them (they turn emerald when he’s in a passion).

Father (Elijah): a member of the Grigori (or Watchers) and a fallen angel.

Mother (Miriam): a human female from a family of sheep-herders.

Their love was considered illicit and led to Miriam being disowned by her family and ostracized by her tribe. She died in childbirth and her child was left to die on the road to Canaan. The infant was found by the Anakim (a race of Nephilim) and raised by the leader, Anak.

Being immortal, St. John passes himself for twenty-five years old. Over his three thousand year existence, he preferred to keep his past a secret and much of what he did/ where he travelled/ his activities are unknown. But there are a few facts that have been reported about him:  he was a member of the Templar Knights and, later, became an advisor to Charlemagne. His foster father, Père Henri, is a priest who works at Notre-Dame de Paris. St. John is the Keeper of the Seed; a role requiring him to protect an ancient artefact of significant value and power. As such, he met the writer, Charlotte Bronte, who named a character after him in her novel, Jane Eyre. During the Victorian era, it is known that he travelled to India.

St. John is now considered an eminent archaeologist; having completed high school at Eton College (UK) and studied Middle Eastern archaeology and history at Oxford University. He has a vast property portfolio (from The Golden Triangle in Paris to New York), and is extremely wealthy. He resides in both Paris and London.

He works as the Assistant Keeper, Ancient Mesopotamian Culture at the British Museum in London. He was assigned to spend three days in Basra, surveying eight of southern Iraq’s most important archaeological sites from Ur to Tell el-Lahm on a mission to preserve the area’s cultural heritage where he worked with Professor Woods. When Professor Woods’ family moved to London, St. John finally met his soul mate, Sage Woods.

Links

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Official Website
Reviews

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Click here for additional giveaways on the Brain to Books Blog Tour.

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.

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Fast Facts:

Author name: Kristin Talgø
Genre: Sci-fi
Book: Escaping the Caves

Official Site of Kristin Talgø

Jess runs away from a life of violence to become an outcast only to find Escaping the Caves is harder than she thought.

BIO

I’ve always loved to read and write, and did Creative Writing the summer of 2010 at the University of Edinburgh. That was a real eye-opener as I got to meet so many wonderful people who also wanted to write. They inspired me to ‘just go for it’. Even so, I spent some years doing other things. I got a degree in social work, worked and lived in Ghana for a while, before I realized that I’m better suited for what I really want to do, which is write. I’m currently studying journalism in Oslo, while I continue to write stories in my spare-time. (Not sure how long this was supposed to be, if you want me to change or add something let me know!)

Author Accomplishments

“Escaping the Caves” is my first published novel, but I’ve been writing short stories and books for the past eight years. Attending the Creative Writing Course at the University of Edinburgh in the summer of 2010 was a real turning point for me . That’s when I admitted to myself and others that being a writer is who I am, what I want to do. I’ve always thought about starting a website and a blog as a way of sharing thoughts about writing and life in general. Once I got a publishing contract, I finally got the push I needed to do just that. I’ve just started out, but hope it can be a way for me to connect with readers and others who enjoy writing. In addition to blogging about life and literature, the website is a place where I can post small short stories, as well as writing about my own up-coming books. Apart from the happiness writing gives me, I’d just like for people to get as much joy from reading my stories as I enjoy writing them.

Blurb

This is not the story of how the world ended. No one really knows how it ended. All that is certain is somehow, somewhere, someone screwed up.

Big time.

For generations, Jess and her tribe have guarded the entrance to the caves, protecting the human world from the demons within. The bloodthirsty creatures, once the cause of humanity’s downfall, seek nothing more than to finish the task.

Caught in a web of grief, Jess flees the tribe for the outside world, becoming an ‘outcast’. She crosses the desert, seeking out a new home away from the fight, but her warrior’s scars make it a difficult life, the center of a propaganda-fuelled hatred unparalleled in her old world.

But when Jess finds a home, she finds that her old life will not be forgotten so easily. The demons have found a new exit to the cave.

They’re ready.

Read an excerpt

Angela B. Chrysler Interviews Kristin

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

Kristin Talgø: I would say I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, but it’s closer to the truth to say I’ve been writing stories since I was seven. I kept writing through my teens, but didn’t start taking it seriously until I was nineteen. I attended a Creative Writing Course at the University of Edinburgh summer of 2010, and the writing environment and support I found there really encouraged me to stick to what I wanted to do; namely write.

I’m currently studying journalism in Norway, I’ll be in my third and final year come this fall. Apart from that, I’m obviously very fond of reading; I also enjoy drawing though that isn’t one of my strong suits. I have a lovely three year old daughter, who keeps me busy. In between writing, working and caring for her, I try to make room and time for my friends and the rest of my family.
Angela B. Chrysler: Is this your first book? How many books have you written prior (if any?) List other titles if applicable.

Kristin Talgø: “Escaping the Caves” is not the first book I’ve written, but it’s the first to be published and the first I’ve attempted to publish. I’ve written five others and am currently working on my seventh. I consider the first book I wrote a sort of trial run, but the other four I hope to revise and edit, as I think they could really work, but they’re still a work in progress.
Angela B. Chrysler: What genre do you enjoy writing the most and what is this book about?

Kristin Talgø: I enjoy writing sci-fi, fantasy or books with an element of the paranormal about them and those are the genres in which I write.

“Escaping the Caves” is a futuristic novel set in a post-apocalyptic word. The world was overrun by monsters that nearly wipe out humanity. After a devastating war, it was left to a chosen few to keep the monsters confided to a set of caves. The task of keeping the monsters from once again roaming the earth has been passed down through the generations. It’s a small community governed by strict rules. There is no room for the people living there to show their pain and fear. If one person starts to crack up, it’s only a reminder that they’re all cracking up a little every day. Whoever decides to leave the community becomes an ‘outcast’. They’ve betrayed humanity and so are shunned in the outside world as well.                         Jess, a trained monster hunter turns her back on the family tradition. No longer wanting to live with the possibility of being killed by those monsters, or living with the ghosts of those who have, Jess leaves the only life she knows and travels across country to find herself. As she attempts to escape the death of her sister, and the ghosts that dwell inside her mind, Jess finds more than what she bargained for. Monsters come in all shapes and sizes, even human ones…
Angela B. Chrysler: What inspired you to write this book?

Kristin Talgø: Generally speaking, I get my inspiration from everything from music and movies to books, poetry and articles. It gets mixed up with my imagination and the strange inner workings of my mind. In this case, and I know it sounds corny, the idea came from a dream I had. In the dream I was having an argument with someone. I was desperate for that person to listen to me, to understand me, but when the person turned around there was nothing but disdain and contempt on his face. We were standing on a street, people gathering to see what the commotion was about and when I tried to seek their understanding and acceptance for my pain, I was met with the same distaste. In their eyes I was weak for crying, for revealing my hurt. In the distance there was a huge, dark mountain range stretching for as long as I could see. When I woke up, my mind automatically started building on it. The scene from the dream blended together with my imagination.
Angela B. Chrysler: How did you come up with the title of your book or series?

Kristin Talgø: The original title was “Cavemen”, but having read through the book my publisher suggested “Escaping the Caves” as it works better with the theme running through the book where the main character, Jess, tries to escape the caves, both literally and mentally.
Angela B. Chrysler: Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

Kristin Talgø: It was my publisher who commissioned the cover art. Once the artist had made a mock-up, I got to see it and get my input on it. As this is my first published book I didn’t know what to expect, but I loved the cover the moment I saw it. I think the artist really captured the sinister and malevolent presence in the caves. It’s dark and eerie, just the way I like it!
Angela B. Chrysler: If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?

Kristin Talgø: I really don’t know what to say to that. My characters, the way they look and act, are so firmly fixed in my head; it’s difficult to picture actors putting on their faces, so to speak. But I suppose to play Jess; I think Mia Wasikowska could be a good fit, both in the way she looks, but also because I think she’s really good at taking on strong, independent and complex characters. To play John, it would have to be someone who can pull off that kind and considerate, yet manly combination. Ryan Gosling maybe? He’s quite good at that isn’t he? Not to mention, he’s always popular and about as handsome as they come!

As for Kyle, that’s a difficult one. Kyle as a character is the kind of man who can be cold and closed off, but has that spark in his eyes, knows how to turn on the charm. I suppose, based on movies I’ve seen him in, someone like Chris Hemsworth might’ve worked.
Angela B. Chrysler: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Kristin Talgø: For as long as I can remember, even as a quite small child, I used to make up imaginary worlds in my head. I never had a problem playing on my own as a kid; I would just make up different scenarios and play them out. When I played with my friends or sister, I remember I would often be a bit of a director, I wanted things to play out the way I’d pictured them in my head. I must’ve been a bossy playmate, at least with my sister. But it was this joy in creating different worlds and universes in my head that sparked my desire to write. To put them down on paper and have them come to life.
Angela B. Chrysler: Are you a plotter or do you write by the seat of your pants?

Kristin Talgø: I’m not much of a plotter. Once the idea for the book had been formed in my mind, the people, scenes and dialog are usually quite clear to me. That being said, the story develops as I write it. I usually have a sense of where the story is headed, but I never really know what’s going to happen until I get there. That’s part of the fun. Discovering a story as I go along, discovering the twists and turns as I write them. It’s an exciting process, as I can sort of ‘feel’ the whole story at the back of my mind, but I have to dig it out, one word, one sentence, at the time. I like not knowing entirely where it’s headed, that way anything is possible.
Angela B. Chrysler: Who is your favorite character from your book and why? How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?

Kristin Talgø: My favorite character is probably Jess. I really liked how she turned out. She’s strong, capable and independent, knows her own mind and doesn’t take bs. from anyone. At the same time, I like how she has her weaknesses too. How she’s vulnerable and fragile, she desperately wants to be loved and understood, to find someone and somewhere to belong. Where she can be accepted for who she is, all of her, both the good and the bad. She’s also stubborn and she’s got an attitude, but a kind heart. To sum it up, I like the complexity of her. How she’s proof that there doesn’t have be any disparities between being strong and vulnerable at the same time. How that’s just part of being human.

My least favorite character is probably Marjorie, John’s ex-wife. She’s the epitome of everything I dislike and would hate to be. She’s selfish and self-centered, with very little empathy and understanding for any pain but her own. She can feel very sorry for herself, but she’s not capable of much sympathy for those around her. She sees the people in her life as pawns she can move around to her advantage, not as humans with their own needs and desires.
Angela B. Chrysler: What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?

Kristin Talgø: Do it. There’s no reason why anyone who wants to be a writer shouldn’t do just that, as long as they’re prepared for a bumpy road. People always tell you that you need to work hard for the things you want in life, but that can never prepare you for just how hard you’ll need to work. If you want to be a writer, you’ll probably have to work twice as hard as you thought and at least twice as hard as you’d like. But if that’s really what you want to do, then that’s just the price you’ll have to pay. You’re going to have to work hard in life no matter what you do, so you might as well work hard for the things you really want. If being a writer is what you really want, then all that hard work is worth it. At the end of the day, if that hard work means you get to do what you feel you’re meant to do in life… What’s there to think about?

And don’t let anyone belittle your desire to write. Being a writer is just as legitimate a profession as wanting to be a plumber, nurse or teacher. We all got our parts to play in this world. If you feel writing is where you’re abilities are, then write is what you should do.
Angela B. Chrysler: What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

Kristin Talgø: Recommend it to friends! Spread the word; lend it to a friend or both. I think that’s probably the best way of making sure people who might enjoy reading it get the chance.
Angela B. Chrysler: Why did you write a love story?

Kristin Talgø: “Escaping the Caves” is a dystopian sci-fi novel, but there is a love story within that. Two actually. The book is in many ways character driven, the story revolves around Jess and the process she goes through, even if her process is affected by outside events. The reason why I wanted there to be a love story within the sci-fi story, apart from me being hopelessly romantic at heart, is because I think love is such a rich and complex subject. You can really go to town with it. Stretch it, inspect it and look at it from all sorts of angles.

Love, especially romantic love between two people can be so extraordinarily wonderful, but also so painfully complicated and cruel. I think love stories are a great way of examining the human psyche, understanding people and why we do the things we do.

Also, love is full of contradictions. It’s irrational. It’s perfectly possible to be head over heels in love with someone who’s terribly mismatched for you, and not being able to feel that crazy rush with someone who on paper should be your ideal match.

It’s this complexity and those contradictions that make love stories so interesting and fun to write about.
Angela B. Chrysler: What can we expect from you in the future?

Kristin Talgø: More stories and more books! Where I’ll be in the future as a writer is, just like with everything else in life, difficult if not impossible to predict. All I know is that I spent far too long doing other things, when what I really wanted was to write, to be a writer. Life’s too short not to do what makes you genuinely happy. So I’m in it for the long haul. I don’t expect it to be easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. I intend to keep writing and I hope there will be people who’ll want to read my books and enjoy them. Stories only truly come to life when they’re shared.

Angela B. Chrysler: And now for the zanier questions! Are you a compulsive shopper/hoarder?

Kristin Talgø: When it comes to books, yes. I physically can’t walk by a book store without going inside for a look. I keep telling myself to get one, but I always get three. Also, the buy with one click option on Amazon is decidedly dangerous… At least for my bank account.
Angela B. Chrysler: What do you want your tombstone to say?

Kristin Talgø: “Man, that was a lot of fun! Can I go again?”
Angela B. Chrysler: What is something you want to accomplish before you die?

Kristin Talgø: I’d like to travel as much as possible and experience as many different places as I can. I’d like to show my daughter that there is a whole world out there, and that there is a lot of different ways of living. It’s easy to lose perspective when all you see are the same things and same people every day. Sometimes we need to take a step back to see the bigger picture. Also, I love travelling simply for the sake of travelling. I’m a lot happier when I’m on the move and not in the same place for too long at the time. I’m hoping to pass on my love for travelling to my daughter, as well as my love of books. If I can raise a self-reliant girl with a love of books and adventure, then I will feel I’ve done something right as a mother.

Angela B. Chrysler: What is your favorite Fiction/Non-Fiction book?

Kristin Talgø: My favorite Fiction is “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë; I know whole passages of that book by heart. My favorite Non-Fiction is “Tracks” by Robyn Davidson. That book went straight to my heart, a great inspiration for the possibilities in life. That there’s more to life than what everyone expects of you. That you can make up your own life as long as you have the guts to do it.
Angela B. Chrysler: What books have most influenced your life most? A mentor?

Kristin Talgø: There are so many books that have meant and mean so much to me. That being said, Stephen King is probably the writer that has influenced me as a writer the most. I started reading his books when I was about thirteen and I’ve been hooked ever since. I greatly admire him as an author and his ability to describe events and emotions using the exact right words and the exact right amount of them. Not to mention his ability to create characters not based on descriptions, but on how they act and how they speak. I love the way a lot of his books are all connected somehow, a whole universe filled with different stories, worlds within worlds. There are times when I’ve skipped pages in his books, when the story has become too gory and gruesome for my taste, but I think he’s at his best when he writes about the simple things in his stories. The human condition and the way people connect and communicate with each other, or fail to. Despite writing horror, Stephen King has written some of the best love stories, in my opinion!

Also, I figure that if he could have two kids and write ‘Carrie’ in the laundry room of a doublewide trailer, then I can certainly write in an airy kitchen with only one kid.

Kristin interviews her characters

Jess

Author: Hi, Jess. Thanks for taking the time to do this. Go ahead and tell the audience a bit about yourself.

Jess: Ehm, hi… I’m Jess. I used to be a fighter in the Caves. I was good at it; it was what I was born to do. What I’d been trained for. But losing my sister and best friend kind of messed with my head, though it was pretty messed up to begin with. The Caves will do that to you. So I left. I wanted to find myself again, if possible. And now…I’m still trying to figure that out, I guess.
Q: Okay, I know you’re not entirely comfortable with this sort of thing, but why don’t you tell us where and when you were born.

Jess: Sure. I was born December 12^th 2097, in the settlement around the Caves. What childhood I had was all right. They start prepping you for a life in the Caves when you turn four so it didn’t last very long, but those first few years, what I remember… It was good.
Author: I know your life in the Caves was a strained one; it must’ve shaped you in a lot of ways. How would you describe yourself?

Jess: Describe myself? I don’t know, I’ve never really thought about it. We don’t spend a lot of time on introspection around the Caves. Soul-searching isn’t advisable when your soul is killed off a little every day. I used to think I was brave, now I’m not so sure. Maybe I’ve become selfish.
Author: I suppose a life like that might do that to you. Why don’t you tell us a bit more about where you grew up?

Jess: Look, I spend most of my time trying to forget about where I grew up. If you hadn’t already done so, I could’ve written a whole book about what the Caves are like. But words are never going to explain what it’s like growing up in a place where all you are trained for is killing. To live your life never knowing who’s going to have their head ripped off next… All everyone teaches you are how to keep your fear and grief to yourself. But trust me, that’ll eat you up.

Author: I can’t imagine what that must be like. Or I can; I wrote the book after all, but tell everyone what it is you do when you’re not fighting in the Caves.

Jess: I don’t fight anymore, you know that. But back by the Caves, when I wasn’t in them trying not to get mauled, my main hobbies were drinking, smoking and… Well, you can say what you want about the men around the Caves, cave-mentality and all, but they know how to have a good time, I’ll give them that.
Author: Talking about men, are you serious with anyone?

Jess: What? I… What does that have to do with anything? Look, are we done here?
Author: Almost, tell us about your worst fear.

Jess: Listen lady, I didn’t want to do this in the first place. The only reason I’m doing it is to get you off my back, but this is where I draw the line. Worst fear? I think I’ve experienced them all. There’s not much left to fear. Except maybe… No, never mind. Can I go now?

Author: Sure, Jess. Thanks for coming. I wish you all the best.

Kyle

Author: That was Jess, and now it’s time to talk to you Kyle. You were a hard one to talk into coming, but thanks for doing this. Go ahead and introduce yourself. Tell the audience a bit about who you are.

Kyle: I’m Kyle. Second Commander of the Caves.

Author: Okay… Brief and to the point as usual. Try to elaborate a bit. Tell us where and when were born.

Kyle: I don’t see how this is relevant, but fine. Just like my ex-wife who you just met, I was born in the settlement around the Caves. Born July 2^nd 2091. Unlike Jess, I didn’t waste my time on longing for a happy childhood. I was born for a reason, with a purpose. Which is more than I can say for any of you.

Author: Okay, no reason to be rude to the audience. You’re a hard man to figure out, tell me, how would you describe yourself?

Kyle: I would say I’m efficient, determined and unsentimental. Other people think I’m hard and uncaring. Makes no difference to me. Compassion isn’t going to do you any good in the Caves. When those monsters come at you, you can’t worry about the people around you. You just got to trust they can handle themselves. Those who can’t… I’m sorry for them, but breaking down isn’t going to help anyone. Jess used to know that.
Author: We’re not talking about Jess, we’re talking about you. Tell us more about where you grew up.

Kyle: Seriously? Didn’t you already ask Jess that? The Caves are bad and bloody. If you want any more details, tell people to read the damn book.

Author: Kyle, please be nice. Why don’t you tell everyone what it is you do when you’re not fighting the monsters in the Caves?

Kyle: I do what most people do when they’re not fighting. I’m not a drunkard, but I drink, sure. Everyone does that. Gamble? Probably a bit of that too. Smoking? I leave that to Jess; she’s like a damn chimney when she’s stressed.
Author: And women? I understand that you have quite a reputation. Are you serious with anyone?

Kyle: Why? You interested?

Author: Sorry, you’re not really my type anymore. Okay, final question. Tell us about your worst fear.

Kyle: Fear? Fear is useless. It’ll cripple you, destroy you. If you let it, it’ll kill you. No. I’m not afraid. Maybe… Seeing Jess, after she lost her sister… Losing your mind like that… I’d rather let the monsters have me.

Author: Well, let’s hope it won’t come to that. Thanks, Kyle. And good luck. You’re going to need it…

John

Author: John, hi, thanks for coming. I know you have things to do, so let’s get started. Go ahead and introduce yourself. Tell the audience a bit about who you are.

John: Hi, I’m John. I run a diner, my father’s really, in a small town called Havensfield. I met Jess not long after she’d left the Caves, but didn’t see her again until she strolled into town one day. Maybe not strolled. She… She’d been through a lot. When I’m not working, I take care of my daughter Eve. She’s four.
Author: A hard-working family man. Gotta love that. Tell us where and when you were born.

John: I was born in Havensfield. April 14^th 2095. I grew up there, that’s where I met my wife, now ex-wife, Eve’s mother. After the porce, I took Eve and moved to one of the larger cities. Been working as a journalist, writing some books, none published yet. But Dad’s older now, and so I’m working at his place for the time being. Trying to keep it going and keep an eye out for Dad.
Author: You strike me as a responsible, caring kind of man. But how would you describe yourself?

John: Caring? Sure. Becoming a father will do that to most men I think. As for responsible? I don’t think I’m any more responsible than most people. I like to think I’m easy-going though. Live and let live, and all that.
Author: Tell us a bit more about where you grew up.

John: Havensfield? Okay, it’s a small town. It’s sitting at the bottom of a large mountainrange, surrounded by forest. An idyllic sort of place, at least I think so. Maybe a bit boring for some folks. Like every other town it has it faults, but we take care of each other around there. Look after one another.
Author: Sounds like a good place. Tell everyone what it is you do when you’re not working at the diner or taking care of your daughter?

John: The usual I guess. I like to read, write. Spend time with…friends when Eve is with her mother.
Author: The way you said ‘friends’ makes me think there’s someone in the picture. Someone who’s a bit more than a friend maybe? Are you serious with anyone?

John: Oh, ehm… I… Well, I’m not sure what she’s thinking, she likes to keep her feelings to herself, but… Serious? I hope so.

Author: Okay, final call. Tell us about your worst fear.

John: Worst? I’m a father. It goes without saying what I fear the most. I don’t even want to think about it, let alone say it out loud.

Author: No worries, John. There’s no need. Thank you for coming, and say hi to Eve from me.

Click here for additional giveaways on the Brain to Books Blog Tour.

Links

Official Site

Facebook

www.kristintalgo@hotmail.com

http://scififantasypublications.com
https://daowenpublications.ca

The book will be available in ebook format at:

Barnes & Noble
iStore
Kobo
Scribd
Inktera
tolino
Google Play
Page Foundry
Amazon Kindle

The book will be available in print format at:

Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Chapters

All book stores worldwide can order the book off the Ingram list. Several book stores in Ontario will hold stock.

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

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Brain to Books Blog Tour

Fast Facts:

Author: Ed Ireland
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Book: A New Dawning from the Chronicles of the Free People Series

Official Site

Bio

Ed Ireland is a very proud product of the streets of South Philadelphia. He draws on his memories of people, places and events from his life there as well as the rest of the world he has known.
His list of home territories includes Pennsylvania, Nevada, Texas, California, Colorado, New Jersey New York, North Carolina and currently, Florida. He has been a sometimes frequent visitor of Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Arizona, and Maryland. Every one of these locations has provided him with people and places that inspire his work. Countless memories from them, some good and some bad, fuel his passion for building people, not just characters in his tales.
Confucius once said. “Wherever you go, go with all your heart”. It has become his mantra and an ideology he embraces fully. His age has not diminished his urge for wandering, although he promises his move to Miami, Fl is the last. He claims he will settle down for good in Florida. Maybe the spirit of Hemingway is calling…

Perhaps the people are drawing him. He has always been a people-person for the wealth of opportunity they provide. He says that “a good variety of people in one’s life is like a rich tapestry of inspiration to a writer. People come equipped with personalities, quirks and tales that keep writers in material for a lifetime.”

Ed was born in 1954 in Philadelphia. He is a doting father of two and is fiercely loyal to the Philadelphia Eagles, The Beatles and classic horror films. He enjoys time in the kitchen as of late, saying that cooking is fun for him now that he understands that it too, is an art. He enjoys photography, playing in Photoshop and he freely admits to his vice of being addicted to World of Warcraft. His passion is animal rights and he campaigns to end the persecution of wolves. His religious and political views are private; nevertheless, they make themselves known throughout his work.

So, that is the author, for all it’s worth. He explains that his sarcasm is described as epic, but also that he is a caring and good man. He says that he’s not sure of that. He says this on the subject…

“I think a good man treats others well no matter what. I treat others as I want them to treat me, but if they don’t then I treat them as they treat me. I prefer to think of myself as a just man. Nevertheless, when we reach our end, what we think of ourselves is worthless. In the end all that matters is what our judges, whoever or whatever they may be think of us. In the meantime, I’ll live life the way I enjoy, I’ll write what I enjoy and I’ll be a smartass for as long as I like.”

 Accomplishments

Mr. Ireland is very active in helping promote other Indie authors via his website. Also through #Indiebooksbeseen, a great group dedicated to bringing indie works into the light. He will also offer free copies of his books in exchange for donations to Autism Awareness and Runningwiththewolves.org.

Book Blurb:

For twenty years the Clans have kept the peace. They have spent their days and nights away from the boundaries imposed by the Goddess. They kept true to her word and allowed the years to pass without incident.
In Rahz Ahmoon, the old order is about to pass and the greatest threat the Clans ever faced returns, bringing depravity and terror to the destruction. Along the tranquil shores of the Shimmering Seas, another threat looms. A threat the Clans have been dreading for twenty years. These two incidents will return them to the most savage days they have ever seen.
In Bandashar, rebellion and plague rise to defeat the loyal.

Hol stands ready to defend the fair lands of Dagor as Bandashar dies amid flames of prejudice and hate while purgatory fills the world with flames of tyranny and betrayal. In Wraithwood the Queen is abducted as a mysterious journal in Var Libra hints at both the creation of the world so long ago and the destruction of it so close to the present.
Hellion and Fire must do the best they can amid all of these waves that are about to crash onto the Clans. As the climax draws closer, they both wonder many things. They wonder, that when the last secrets of Var Libra are exposed, when the last cities have scattered their ashes, when the last echoes of a world at war are silenced and when the last breaths of the Clans are drawn…
Who will remember their story? Who will insure that the world will know what happened? Who will keep them alive in story and song so that the world does not forget? Or will the world cease to exist as well?

Interview with Ed Ireland

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

Well, I’m not too complicated. I have a touch of the Gypsy in me but I think my rambling
days are behind me for good now. Writing for me was a pleasant surprise. I started really late in life and am still honing this gift for storytelling. When I’m not writing, I love cooking, exploring new places and I have an unhealthy addiction to World of Warcraft.

Is this your first book? How many books have you written prior (if any?) List other titles if applicable.

This is actually my eighth book. Ninth if you count the release of the full trilogy in one book. For this tale, we started the series with Fire At Dawn, shifted into The Stormrider and now fnish with A New Dawning.

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

I enjoy bringing new worlds to life, so fantasy is my favorite genre. A New Dawning is the
final book in a trilogy started so long ago. The entire series was designed to mirror societies woes and place them in a fantasy setting. This book continues that trend. The story spans more than 20 years in the lives of Hellion, Fire and their clan. Some people might say it’s a war story with a good amount of romance in it while others might see a romance with a war setting. There’s no getting around it, the Chronicles of the Free People is filled with interesting characters, villains you’ll love to hate and a storyline that brings you across a lifetime of love, hate, romance, honor and betrayal.

What inspired you to write this book?

The original concept was a glance at a picture entitled “Spirithunter” by artist Christy
Grandjean. As soon as I saw it, I knew this character had a tremendous story behind him. My wife also was an inspiration for the co-protagonist. She’s unlike any other woman I have ever known and I felt she needed to be immortalized in some way.

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

The first book, Fire At Dawn was just a play on the character’s name. The series title was
difference. I looked at the characters and tried to fnd the one thing they prized above
everything else. It was their freedom, hence the title Free People. Like all freedoms, it’s never guaranteed and often very costly.

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

The cover is all me. My concept, my work, my design. I spent hours in Photoshop
transforming a tiger’s eyes to a woman’s eyes. When I was satisfied, I used that as the
background for all 3 books. I recently put them up for critique and they don’t trend favorably. Oh well, I wanted the uniform look to the series so maybe I’ll dabble with them in the future.

If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?

Maybe it’s a writer thing or maybe I’m just nuts, but as I write, I can “hear” the character’s
voices. From his frst syllable, Titan has always been Sean Connery. Fire has always been
Jane Seymour and Hellion was Harrison Ford. Thankfully, these characters would be CGI so there would just be voice actors.

Just as your books inspire authors, what authors have inspired you to write?

Of course, J.R.R. Tolkien was the first serious writer I read. The Hobbit and LOTR books were almost required in the late sixties, and he taught me to stretch my imagination to the limits. Among today’s writers, I’m a big fan of Gregory Maguire. His Oz books have taught me to always look at both sides of the story.
Do you have any strange writing habits (like standing on your head or writing in the shower)?

I do have my ritual. I like to wake at the crack of dawn when the rest of the world is still
asleep. I put on the water and make my Bigelow’s Earl Gray tea and eat 3 Chips Ahoy
cookies. At that time, my muse is satisfed and we get to work.

Are you a plotter or do you write by the seat of your pants?

Oh, I am a pantser all the way. I start the story and let the characters take over and drag me through whatever fun they can think of. I am quite fond of saying I’m not so much a writer as I am a stenographer.

How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you have any name choosing resources you recommend?

Names are definitely important. Who’s going to read a book where the protagonist is called
“that guy”? Sometimes I like a name based on how it rolls around in my mouth. Other times I’ll search for a name through international baby name data mines to fnd an exotic name with meaning.

Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad?

There are no bad reviews. Well, except the ones that say “Your book sucks! You suck!” If it
looks and sounds as if a lesser ape wrote it, I simply toss it. Other than that, there are no bad reviews. People are either telling you why they loved your work, or they are offering
suggestions as to how to improve your work. Either way, you don’t walk away empty handed.

Do you see writing as a career?

No, I’m fond of eating and sleeping indoors. There are certain sacred cows in the author feld and no matter what, they will never be replaced. Even though self-published indie writers are making their way at a much better rate, I think the majority of people still hold on to their cows. I watch book clubs on Goodreads rehashing Sherlock Holmes and books like East of Eden. Until that changes, I don’t see this as anything but a passionate hobby.

Which of your books was the most fun to write and why?

No need to think on it. For pure fun it was Crime Scene. It was a subject I enjoy going over
(the Kennedy assassination) set in a city I love (Philadelphia) featuring characters I grew up around. I got to talk like I normally do, foul-mouthed and angry and I got to bring out all the stops. Memories of when I was a kid, of my Uncles and the way they did things…despite my last name, I’m Italian. Ireland is my step-father’s name. Plus I got to research 3 different cities and I’m a sucker for research work.

What is your favorite snack food?

The aforementioned Chips Ahoy are a favorite. Potato chips are another vice. At the other
end of the spectrum, I can sit and eat a bucketful of ripe strawberries.

What do you want your tombstone to say?

“Go Away! You Had Your Chance!” I have this feeling that after I kick it, some asshat
publisher will read one of my books and declare me to be “a genius wordsmith” and every
scrap I ever wrote will go on to be a best seller. My heirs will live a great life and eventually, my daughter will write a tell-all book and I’ll be vilified.

What is your favorite Halloween costume you’ve ever worn? Provide photos if
available!

Wish I had photos. We were doing a haunted house to raise funds for my son’s little league. I found a werewolf mask that came in 4 pieces. Each piece had to be set with spirit gum and then make up across the face and all four pieces. Took me almost 4 hours to get everything perfect including the teeth, hair, hands and the rest of the costume. Drove like that from Philly to Jersey and scared the crap out of the toll collector on the bridge. Well, I was on the 2nd fLoor with a breakaway chain holding me and a strobe light. About an hour into the event, I get a yell from the hallway…”Police…we’re coming in.” The police came in,
complimented me on the makeup and then told me I had to stop. Their reasons made
sense…outside, the front lawn was filled with very angry mothers and their crying children. I had to apologize and show all the kids it was makeup.

Do you have an embarrassing moment you’d like to share?

I was sick, let me make that perfectly clear. The medicine was making me gassy. I was in
WalMart with my wife, daughter and my wife’s aunt. Well, at one point I sneezed and lets
just say the gas leak was louder than the sneeze. About 6 people all snapped their head
around to look at me. Embarrassed, I looked for the comfort of family and all I saw was the 3 of them ducking into an aisle laughing their asses of.

What makes you laugh/cry?

In my post-menopausal state, I find almost anything can get me to cry now. I have this weird empathy now where thinking about Dumbo’s mother singing “Baby Mine” gets the eyes watery. Forget watching “Old Yeller” or “Marley”. Hell, a good Hallmark card can get me there. Conversely, things that shouldn’t be that funny have me in stitches. Watching a
zombie catch a victim is always good for a chortle. Traditionally, if you want to hear my best laughs, just slip the Honeymooners or the Three Stooges into the Blue Ray.

Character Interview

Our interview today is with an enchanting lady with a heart as big as the world and the ability to take down a squad of angry Repticans in minutes. Please welcome Fire, Mistress of the White Tiger Clan and wife to Hellion. How would you describe your Clan?

My clan is the center of my world. Filled with good people who would do anything for
each other. My clan is the life work of Hellion and the other clan members. It is what
the model of a caring and well balanced society should be. Everyone is responsible for
their lives and actions.

Your bravery at Kre’een has been described as legendary. How would you
describe it?

I would not describe it as legendary. I get no joy out of fighting. No one wins in a war,
both sides lose. I fought because I was backed up against a wall and I was not going
to see more of my people die. Given the option I would always want to try to resolve
things peacefully, but here there was no peaceful solution.

You have been linked to the Goddesses Bastet and Sekhemet. How close are
you?

I view them as my mother figures. I get strength from them. They are my guides on
how I will live my life. They have taught me balance. I once struggled with how to live
my life, wanting only to have peace and only see the goodness in people. I came to
realize through them, that in this life there must always be dark and light, good and evil
to keep a balance.

Describe Hellion and don’t leave out any of the good parts.

Hellion is the other part of my soul. They say that in the beginning we all had one body
with two heads, four arms and four legs. The Gods began to fear the potential of our
power and split us in two condemning us to spend our lives looking for the other
half….My search ended many years ago the day I met Hellion. His heart, his bravery
and his selflessness know no bounds. Any one who calls him friend or family is lucky.

What were your early days in the Clan like?

I was scared. I was very young and felt out of place. I had a fear that no one would
accept me because I was not born into the clan. I felt afraid to get close to anyone
because I thought they would be taken away. Lucky for me all the clan members
opened their hearts to me. And Hellion was never far from me, he made himself the
one constant I could always count on.

Tell us about your relationship with Lavrine.

Lavrine has been many things to me. She’s been a teacher foremost, insuring that I
learned as much from her as possible. She taught me everything from the basics as in
how to perform ritual to the more complex healing arts. She taught me which herbs
treat which symptoms and how to prepare them. She was also a second mother to me
when the situation needed a mother’s gentle touch. I think her wisdom and kindness
helped shape me into the person I am today.

Tell us about your elemental power. What is it like to wield such a power?

I have the power of fire. I have markings on my hands that begin to smolder and then
fire will form. It was scary at first to have that happen. At first I could not control it, and
sometimes even now I think it is still beyond my control. I feared that I would
accidentally hurt someone. As time went by I learned to manipulate it. I realized that
the Goddess had given me this power so that I might be able to help my people and
others.

Of all the assets you bring to the Clan, what do you think is your best?

I think my best asset is my nature. My nature is to be the voice of balance. I feel I instill
that balance in others. I want there to always be peace, I want others to see the good
in themselves and everyone else. I also understand that there will be times when
peace is not attainable with out a fight.

How was raising Luna different from raising Ember and Firestorm?

It was no different in my eyes. She is my child just as if I had given birth to her. I
always made her understand that. I treat her no differently than I treat Ember and
Firestorm. She is loved equally and disciplined equally. I never allowed anyone to treat
her as anything other than the daughter of Hellion and Fire.

Things change in life. Where do you see your life in ten years?

In 10 years I see myself and Hellion still blissfully in love, surrounded by our friends
and family. I can see myself living out the rest of my days in peace with my love. There
will be adventures, of that I am sure because when your husband is the great Hellion,
adventures are never far off. In this life or the next, Hellion and I will be together and
doing the things we love together.

LINKS:

Friend on Facebook
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Follow on Twitter
Find on Pinterest
Ed Ireland on LinkedIn

 Giveaways

Everybody can grab a free copy of Fire At Dawn, the first book of the series. Just visit
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/398349 and use the code QT36N for a free copy.

Everyone that visits my website and signs up for my mailing list will get a copy of The Stormrider, the second book of the series for free. I’ll send the code via the first newsletter after the tour ends.

Finally, the first three people that can tell me the names of the original five clans will receive The Chronicles of the Free People Trilogy Box Set, containing the entire story of Hellion and Fire. Mail your answers to me via the member’s area on my website. To help, there will be a map of the Freelands that shows the locations of the five clans on the website for 1 day only. You can see it on August 6th.

Good luck and have fun.

Click here for additional giveaways on the Brain to Books Blog Tour.

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.

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Fast Facts

Author: J. Johanis
Genre: Dark M/M Fantasy-Erotic Romance
Book: Claimed by the Order of the S-Gods series

Official Site

Bio

J. Johanis writes dark m/m erotic fantasy, and enjoys plots that are historical or myth-based.

Blurb

Young and eager to join the social playground of the gods, Marduk enters his first day of college at the exotic mountain retreat at the Temple of Power. But he swiftly falls into the clutches of a secret order. Confronted by the powerful gods who wish to claim him, Marduk is defenseless. His only way out: to lure another virgin god into the Order.

Content Advisory: Sex, violence, non-con, & abuse.

Review by Kim Rosen

I read this book in 7 hours. At first I was worried because I don’t generally read books about Gods/Immortals. However, I was quickly hooked by the main character and his goddess friends.

The storyline is great, enticing and very different. The setting was believable in a magical way. Everything seemed so rich and elegant. I pictured the Goddess’s as stunning beauties and the God’s handsome and powerful.

I personally would have liked for it to have included more details of the sex scenes and a few more punishment scenes, but that’s just my kinky reading preferences which I cannot fault the book for.

Absolutely loved the ending.

I am hooked and will definitely read any subsequent books that come out.

Excerpt

Sexuality Class at the Oasis Pool

For today’s exercise, we will begin with the most basic element: the kiss.” Isis smiled and turned toward Marduk.

“Come forward, Marduk.”

Marduk’s heart leapt and he moved to the middle of the pool before Isis.

“Young Marduk, your reputation for being a fascinating lover precedes you, but I intend to take you out of your comfort zone. It appears you have no fear when it comes to the ladies, but what is your experience with gods?” Marduk stared at Isis, his voice catching in his throat.

“I don’t really have experience.” Marduk wanted badly to steal a glance at Aya, but he kept his eyes on Isis, suppressing the temptation.

“Aya-Zaqar, come forward,” Isis said, still not breaking her stare with Marduk. Heat flushed into Marduk’s face, and blood rushed to his groin. Isis was going to be his undoing. Marduk sank lower in the water and turned to watch as Aya waded toward them. Seeing the pink in Aya’s cheeks made Marduk even harder. By the time Aya stopped before him, Marduk’s heart was beating out of his chest.

“Marduk, I want you to demonstrate a kiss for the class. Please give us a glimpse of the passion and intensity that you are known for.”

Ignoring the fluttering in his stomach, Marduk pressed up against Aya’s body, slid his arms around his waist, and drew him in. Aya gasped, his eyes growing wide as Marduk smiled down at him.

Never had he imagined touching Aya before an audience, but he wanted this god more than anything. He ran his hand up Aya’s slender back and slid his fingers into Aya’s long hair. Then he leaned into Aya, claiming his mouth. When Aya opened up for him, the taste of peaches invaded Marduk’s senses, and a surge of warmth pulsed through his body.

Connect with the Author

Author Links:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000258007847
Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/authorjjohanis?ref=hl
Twitter https://twitter.com/JennaJohanis
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25467509-claimed-by-the-order
Google https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JJohanis/posts

Buying Links:

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YTV1XJ8
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/547262
ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html

Click here to see giveaways for the Brain to Books Summer Blog Tour

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.

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Fast Facts

Author: Marco Marek
Genre: Fantasy
Book: Hyperearth

Official Site

Bio

Marco Marek was born in Turin, Italy. He always had a fervid imagination and a passion for fantasy stories, medieval magicians, ancient history, and unexplained mysteries. While he was visiting a castle in Eastern Europe, he had the idea of writing Hyperearth.

Apart from writing, Marco is also a painter and photographer, he likes digital artwork on Photoshop. The cover of Hyperearth is his creation. He loves traveling when he has some free time.

Accomplishments

To sign a contract with a publisher

Blurb

Mary and Martina alone in this unknown dimension, they will succeed to go back home safe and sound? Read it to discover it !

Review

Enticing cover and story, June 24, 2015

By susanne leist, author of The Dead Game

This review is from: Hyperearth (Kindle Edition)

The story is as enticing as the book’s cover. It is full of fantasies and creatures. Perfect for children and adults. Mary and Martina, two teenage girls, find a portal in a castle to a new dimension. There they must fight an evil wizard named Sathon. Their adventures are unlimited in scope like the author’s imagination.

Excerpt

Martina smiled and said softly, “Mary, read here. Count Lasky had more than one room for his experiments,” she began, “but they have never been discovered. It is said that there’s a book that reveals many hidden secrets of the Count; one of the most important is how to work the magic using the stone mirrors, which transports the person to Hyperearth.”

“Hyperearth?” both exclaimed.

“I’ve heard of Hyperspace… but never of Hyperearth,” Martina remarked.

“Shhhh,” a few people hushed at the two girls, who then lowered their heads, taking notes.

“According to this text, the book of his magical secrets is hidden somewhere in the room where we were,” Mary said softly. She diligently copied all the necessary information they had discovered, after which the two girls left the library.

“That’s why we didn’t find very much in that room,” Mary added. “If we can find that book, we’ll figure out a lot more.”

“Yes,” Martina agreed. “Let’s review our notes and, if we have to, we’ll return to library.”

“Doesn’t it seem odd that this room has never been visited, or seen by even a few?” Mary pointed out.

“That’s true, but since there doesn’t seem to be much of interest in it, not many people have considered it important. Also, without knowing where the book of magical secrets is…” Martina replied.

“Let’s see if the light still comes out from the hole,” Mary said, taking Martina’s hand. When they arrived to the castle, they noticed there wasn’t the blue beam as there had been before, and nobody seemed to have touched nor moved the bushes.

“I remember this branch was exactly like this, I had left it that way,” Martina observed.

“Maybe we should explore more parts of the castle,” Mary proposed.

“Well, maybe you’re right. Although I don’t think we can see all of the castle, since some areas are closed, but we don’t lose anything by trying,” Martina responded.

The front entry of the castle was massive, with two Gothic towers that over the centuries had darkened with dust and age, and old, menacing statues of gargoyles on the façade.

Entering the reception hall, the girls headed towards the chapel— personal to the Count— and then walked through the wineries. Finding a map drawn on the castle wall, the girls stopped to determine the quickest way to get to the room where they’d been yesterday, and in order to not get lost doing so.

Having reached a long corridor, Mary said, “The notes say that those who find the symbol of the Lasky family somewhere in this corridor will unlock the first clue to opening the door to the room.”

“Well, let’s take a look,” Martina replied, and the two spent a quite a few minutes searching the walls, all to no avail. Just then, Mary noticed something.

“Look at this, the two crossed swords with a rose between the points!”

“That’s true; it’s a bit worn out, but it’s definitely the symbol of the Count. Try moving the swords,” Martina said impatiently. Only, when they attempted to rotate the swords, nothing happened, as the two blades were firmly fixed on the wall.

The girls were disappointed, ready to give up. Just then, an idea struck Martina. “Let’s press the rose.”

Although the swords were unmovable, the rose appeared to be like a button. Martina looked to either side of her to make sure nobody was nearby, and then pushed her fingers down on the symbol of the flower. Suddenly, they heard the sound of locks opening! The girls were ecstatic that they had found the first clue.

“Good,” Mary said. “Now open the door.”

The only problem was they discovered the door in front of them refused to budge. They turned left and found another door a short distance away, which was half-closed.

“Let’s try here, since it’s open,” Martina suggested, but as they entered, Mary panicked.

“If the door stays open now, someone could see us here,” she stammered.

Martina turned around to shut the door, but barely had to touch it before it closed by itself! The girls hastily tried to open it again, but it was useless.

“Oh no! Now what should we do?” Martina said in desperation. It was only then that the girls realized they weren’t in the room with the luminous stone surrounded by mirrors. They attempted to read their notes for directions on where to go next, but weren’t able to find anything helpful.

“At least we’re not in the dark,” Mary commented, pointing to a small skylight.

The tiny room was furnished with desks, two chairs, a cupboard of stained glass, and old pictures, all covered with lots of dust.

“It seems like nobody’s been here in a long time,” Martina observed.

“Yes!” Exclaimed Mary. “Nor do I think we should stay very long! Let’s try to figure out how to get out of this place.”

The girls spent nearly an hour sitting on the floor, contemplating an escape plan. Finally, they both noticed that the chairs, furniture, and upholstery displayed the symbol of a cornucopia.

“Look for the cornucopia,” they both said in unison, hoping to find it somewhere as a means of unlocking the door, just as they had found the swords and the rose.

Searching diligently, they finally caught sight of a door bearing the cornucopia symbol, hidden halfway behind the cupboard.

Mary examined the symbol and said, “It’s made of metal, but it doesn’t seem like you can press it.”

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Fast Facts

Author: Adam McVeigh
Genre: Psychological and paranormal thriller/horror
Books: Zephaniah: A Horror Novella (Volume 1) of the Zephaniah series

Official Site

Bio

Adam McVeigh lives in South Lincolnshire, England. His first book, Keep Off The Grass, a narrative non fiction account of his time as a community and political campaigner, was released as an independently published paperback in January 2015. His fictional works are primarily psychological and paranormal thrillers that are inspired by real life events and scenarios, including recent titles: Polly, and The Hanging Bridge. Both are short, quick read stories that form a ten volume collection due for publication in 2016.

Blurb

We know they are there. We have seen them. We have heard them. We have felt their presence. But science is the comfort blanket that protects us from the truth that we cannot bare to believe. When it is pulled away…we have no choice but to face them.

The lines between scientific explanation and paranormal terror are torn wide open in this dark psychological British horror.

Christmas nineteen ninety-five, a physics teacher takes his family on holiday to the snow-covered village of Gwennal, in Cornwall. When his five-year-old daughter tells him that she has seen Santa Claus, unwelcome and chilling events begin to plague the family’s stay at their seventeenth-century cottage. His choice of accommodation is further brought into question when his wife suffers a series of mind-bending paranormal horrors. Firmly believing scientific explanation－just like his fourteen-year-old son who plans to follow in the career footsteps carved-out before him－he suspects that she has relapsed to her abuse of prescription painkillers. Until, that is, the comfort blanket of science becomes an instrument of torture when staff at a local museum reveal more than he can bare to discover.

What happens to a family when drug abuse and malevolent spirits are combined? Step on board for the hell-ride of your life and experience the Bradshaw family’s Cornish nightmare.

Excerpt

From behind Sarah, the worn-leather boots of Zephaniah had crushed the frost and ice beneath them as he marched past, just inches from her paralysed body.

He stopped beside the slaughtered flesh.

With only moonlight to guide her eyes through the shadows that swamped the world around her, Sarah recognised his long, thick woollen cloak and his unkempt beard that fell to his chest as though he were vomiting worms; she recognised his movements, his steps and the dread that seeped from his very presence.

He snatched at the feet of the corpse. A gloved fist locked around each ankle as though trying to choke the last desperate screams of life from them. He then raised the legs and dragged with the ease of a man wheeling a barrow.

The blooded torso thudded and slapped on the sculptured stone of Chapel Cottage’s front step, before being swallowed inside the darkness of the doorway.

Sarah looked on. She could do nothing else. The illuminated cottage in front of her began to fade under a pitch-black darkness. It was washing over the street, indiscriminately covering everything under the crashing black wave as the moon’s light died.

She stood in complete darkness. There was no breeze to pull her hair. Her feet were no longer stuck to cobbles laced with ice, they were resting on the hard wooden surface of floorboards, cushioned by a layer of dust and grime.

 Connect with Adam

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

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Fast Facts

Author: Dexx Peay (Pronounced P)
Genre:Urban Fantasy
Book:The Revealing from the The Chronicles of Fire and Ice series

Official Site

Bio

Dexx was born in Germany, grew up in Tennessee, educated in Alabama, and now residing in Texas. As a child his imagination was forever running rampant, spending time with imaginary friends and getting lost in fantasy and mystery books. When he was inducted into an elite writing club at his elementary school, he knew then he wanted to be a writer and novelist as an adult. As he got older, he suppressed his creative side and studied biology in college. It wasn’t until the voices of Marcus and Dylan began talking to him day and night that he decided to pick up the pen again.

Accomplishments

Dexx works in the medical field and spent seven years as a soldier of the Army National Guard. He came up with the idea for the plot while deployed to Iraq in 2010.

Blurb

Marcus and Dylan were born right into the middle of a three thousand year old war. Only problem, they didn’t know it existed.

My parents gave me up for adoption, and left me with nothing. Eighteen years later, I collected my inheritance: a set of ancient journals, the power to shoot fire from my hands, and the secret to who I really am—a Xarponian.
My name is Marcus Peterson, the kid who plays with fire…

It was cool when I found out I could shoot ice particles from my hands. Something like the Avengers —until the attacks started. Having random people try and kill me was not on my list of things to do. I don’t even know why they want me dead, I am not like them. I’m not even marked. I don’t know what I am. 
I’m Dylan Perry, the coolest kid in town…

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Click here to see giveaways for the Brain to Books Summer Blog Tour

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

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Fast Facts

Author: Charlene Diane Jones

Genre: historical/metaphysicial fiction

Books:

Bliss Pig Poetry with Linda Stitt

The Stain: A Story of Reincarnation, Karma and the Release from Suffering

upcoming non-fiction easy to read exploration of Medicine Buddha/Medicine Mind. Vajrayana Tantric Meditation in parallel with Neuroscience.

Official Site

Bio

There is nothing short about my bio so I am writing My Impossible Life due out at the beginning of 2017. Look for trauma, travel, transcendental exploration, home and mothering, directions from dreams, publishing, meditation, teaching, therapy, all infused with healing.

Interviews

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

For the longest time in my life I wrote because it was one of the very few actions that brought relief from the constant inner carping, negativity, criticism. I kept writing. And healing through other modalities until I began to write for pleasure, for joy, for expressions of the ecstatic jubilation of life.

Is this your first book? How many books have you written prior (if any?) List other titles if applicable.

The Stain is my first fiction novel. I have co-authored two books of poetry Uncritical Mass in Consort and Bliss Pig.

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

I like non-fiction but after writing this fiction book I feel even more respect for the struggles of fiction authors. I enjoy writing poetry the most, although it feels like such a long road since I traveled through poem land.

What inspired you to write this book?

I had no choice. The inner world experience demanded it.

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

I just waited. And asked. And asked. And waited and one day I contemplated what in Tibetan Buddhism is called the Uppa Kelesa or higher defilement. Cecilie Kwiat described Uppa Kelesa as the stain left on the counter if you squeeze a wet tea bag and then leave it there. That stain is the remnant of the karma upheavals that shape our lives. Once we have cleared the upheaval, then we have to wait for the Uppa Kelesa, the higher defilement to arise. Only then is all that karmic activity from that event gone.

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

Sue Reynolds, a fabulous graphic designer, writing instructor, counsellor, great person with an intuitive take on what I’m (and many others are) trying to express designed my cover. I sent her the three photos taken off a free photo site on the web and she designed it from there. I really love it. These three pictures capture the essence of the three main characters in my book.

If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?

Diana would be played by Susan Sarandan, Mary would be acted by Scarlett Johansson and Tahni by Cardinal Tattoo.

Just as your books inspire authors, what authors have inspired you to write?

Daphne DuMaurier and Charlotte and Emily Bronte carved their words into my pre-teen soul. C.S. Lewis for the majesty of the worlds he created entranced my pre-teen brain and heart. I am a great fan of Herman Hesse. His book Demian was the first one I read from cover to cover in one sitting. I also love the work of the great Greek writer Kazantzakis who wrote Zorba the Greek, Report to Greco and The Last Temptation of Christ, made into a superb film.

When and why did you begin writing?

I wrote my first poem when I was 6 years old and I have not had any choice, since. If I don’t write, I find there is a voice inside of me creating titles of books, dialogue, very bad narratives out of the stuff of my life, making up stories about people I see everywhere in the world. To channel that, I write.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I always have.

What does your writing process look like?

Chaos, struggle, silence, music, dancing, walking in nature, crying, sobbing, dreaming at night, and a little bit of tapping on computer keys.

Where do you write?

Yellow notepad on my desk overlooking the lake or at my computer.

Do you have any strange writing habits (like standing on your head or writing in the shower)?

Spontaneous fits of singing (for hours) and dancing as well as talking to myself.

Are you a plotter or do you write by the seat of your pants?

Neither. I write by listening to what is going on inside of me.

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

No

Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? What is it?

I’m not into gore porn

Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

I had the most trouble with Diana and I think that’s why I like her the most, although Tahni is pretty magnificent too.

How about your least favorite character?

What makes them less appealing to you?

Mary bothers me because she is so man driven.

What book do you wish you could have written?

Only my own.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Don’t remember

What other books/authors are similar to your own? What makes them similar?

Cloud Atlas creates through time, and so is similar thematically. I was surprised to learn Mitchell writes novellas then brings them together. That’s how he constructed Cloud Atlas. And I was forced to do the same at some point. I had to separate the stories and then organize them again. That took days. Another book of similar nature to The Stain is Diana Garibaldi’s great first in her series, The Outlander. The similarities lie in the love themes and the sense of history as non-linear.

How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you have any name choosing resources you recommend?

I love Dickens for his use of names. That early love of the classics has proven vitally important to me.

If you could change ONE thing about your novel, what would it be?

Nothing.

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

In life, it has been raising my son. Artistically it’s that I finished writing The Stain.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Much more media savy, with at least six books finished and out there and some income from them, however small.

Have you always enjoyed writing?

Yes. Reading and writing.

What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?

Read. Read as much as you can and as widely as you can. Read weather reports, sports columns, novels, read especially outside your genre.

Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad?

I read reviews. I have had a few reviews from people I don’t know who gave my book five stars and that of course feels very good. I have had a couple of bad reviews, one in which the writing was so poor I couldn’t take the review seriously and assume others will feel the same. One review of two stars said the themes did not appeal but the reviewer felt the book would appeal to others. Of the people I know who reviewed it most are very very erudite, well read people who love reading and writing too much to blow smoke. Therefore I respect their four and five star reviews. I love that a couple of people gave the book poor reviews and I’m particularly happy with the lowest review because the writing by the reviewer is so riddled with mistakes it makes me embarrassed. I don’t worry about bad reviews.

What (when not writing) do you do to support yourself?

I am a Psychotherapist in private practice and have been for over fifteen years. One thing that surprised me was learning that I do not want to turn to writing full time. I have always assumed I wanted to write full time so I thought once I finished my book I would want to give up my profession. It has come as a great surprise to realize how deeply honored I feel to work with people, help them through their troubles. I don’t want to give that up!

Do you have any other talents or hobbies?

I’m an astrologer, I read Tarot cards professionally, teach meditation, have played five instruments (trumpet, piano, drums, recorder and voice) love riding horses and have traveled widely.

What is your least favorite part of the publishing / writing process?

Everything to do with “pushing” my books is anathema. I try not to but to let the book and the reviews do their job.

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

Please write a review, even a short few lines, expressing what pleased you and what didn’t about the book.

What is your best marketing tip?

Keep at it.

Do you have a favorite conference to attend? What is it? 

I love the Ontario Writer’s Conference. It’s the only one I’ve been to and it was just fine this spring.

What are you working on now?

I am in the final stages of Medicine Buddha/Medicine Mind, a non-fiction book which draws parallels between the fascinating discoveries of Neuroscience and the ancient method of meditating called Tibetan Vajrayana Tantra.

Why did you write a love story?

I had no choice.

What is your next project?

After Medicine Buddha/Medicine Mind I want to complete My Impossible Life. I have a major first draft complete (although really it’s about draft number eight or nine) and am ready to improve the structure.

What can we expect from you in the future? More podcasts and more writing.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? I like Lori Schafer’s voice. It’s strong and unapologetic. I am a fan of Mary Karr, and of Guilia Enders who has written a book called “Gut” about how we digest. It is simply written but fascinating. I’m sure I’ll use it for my next non-fiction book, which will be about septic systems.

What are your current projects?

As stated, completing the publishing part of Medicine Buddha/Medicine Mind, becoming proficient at podcasting, completing My Impossible Life, continuing with podcasting, publishing Linda Stitt’s great poetry (check out her eBook Talking to Myself) and then writing the book on septic systems.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

Two entities: one is Writers Community of Durham Region, the other is Whistle Radio in Stouffville.

Do you see writing as a career?

If it is, it’s a piss poor paycheck.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

No.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

It was always there. I sat on the floor and cried at a child’s version of the Wizard of Oz because I knew she couldn’t get home. My mother told me she’d take the book away unless I stopped crying. I was less than three years old at the time. I taught myself to read when I was 2 and a 1/2, by having memorized the Little Red Hen. I also loved a child’s book about a Turtle because he always had his home with him. I used to take all the books out of my father’s small bookcase and spread them on the floor, before I could read. It just seemed important. I still have that bookcase.

The first time I visited the local library I vowed to read all the books in it because I wanted to know everything. I probably have thought, until recently, I achieved that goal.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? Not in the writing phase. That seems to flow and grow on its own.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? I learned real respect for fiction writers.

Do you have any advice for other writers? 

Keep writing. All the time. Every day.

Which of your books was the most fun to write and why?

So far I believe Medicine Buddha/Medicine Mind was the easiest and the most fun because the subject of neuroscience fires me up.

What is the most difficult thing about being an author?

I don’t find much difficult about it.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Not much.

What genre do you enjoy writing the most and why?

I love writing poetry and have had the most experience in that. I am most at home with non-fiction because I enjoy unusual patterns, putting things together out of order and then taking them apart to see how they fit philosophically.

What do you wear while writing?

Comfy clothes

Do you have a pet or pets?

Two house cats and one stray cat

Are you a compulsive shopper/hoarder?

Nope. Have to be dragged, kicking and screaming toward shopping.

What is your favorite snack food?

Don’t have any

What literary character is most like you?

I haven’t found her

When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?

Check out My Impossible Life: held hostage for three days when I was 16 by two armed robbers, sailed the Gulf of Mexico during tornado season in an unseaworthy vessel, drank chang with Mongel mne in the north of India, followed a teacher around the world even though he sometimes didn’t show up and more.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

So many writers I admire and respect: Austen, both Brontes, Urquart, Rainer Marie Rilke, Pablo Neruda, Jacques Prevert and more. And I have an odd response to books. For instance Cormac McCarthy’s book “Blood Meridian” made me laugh out loud. But then so did Kafka’s Metamorphosis

What is your biggest fear?

Don’t believe in them

What do you want your tombstone to say?

Om is where the Art is

What is your favorite Halloween costume you’ve ever worn?

Provide photos if available! Years ago I dressed in a full length kaftan of deep blue lacey material, and painted my face silver. No one guessed, in 1975 that I was the Moon.

If you had a supernatural power, what would it be?

I have enough telepathy to believe we all have super powers.

If you were a super hero, what would your name be?

What costume would you wear? I wouldn’t wear a costume! That’s so passe! I’d be as fleet as a positron and as shifty as an orbit of Jupiter’s moons.

Where is one place you want to visit that you haven’t been before?

The Hermitage in Russia

If you were any plant or animal, what would you be?

Provide images if you want! A red wood Tree those gigantic friends that breathe for us and definitely a great Blue Whale

What is something you want to accomplish before you die?

Finish the books and provide my family with some money

If you could have any accents from anywhere in the world, what would you choose? Russian

Do you have any scars?

Only on my soul What are they from? Living

What were you like as a child?

Horrible. Terrible temper, absolutely a liar, full of fantasies and desires and clutching my insides writhing with the angst of being in the world. What was your favorite toy? My tiny teddy bear.

Do you recall your dreams?

Often. I am a dream reader.

Do you have any recurring dreams/nightmares?

Not any more.

What is your favorite song?

Moon River is the one right now but there are many.

Do you have an embarrassing moment you’d like to share?

Not outside of My Impossible Life. There you’ll get enough to fulfill the most salacious appetite.

What is your favorite Fiction/Non-Fiction book?

The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge

What is your favorite movie?

Midnight in Paris,My Talks with Dean Spanley

What books have most influenced your life most?

Demian and Narcissus and Goldman, and Steppanwolf by Herman Hesse. Also A Voyage to Arcturus.

A mentor?

Karma Tenzin Dorje Namgyal Rinpoche and Cecilie Kwiat

What book are you reading now?

The Emotional Life of Your Brain by Goldman

Do you remember the first book you read?

The Little Red Hen

What makes you laugh/cry?

Life

Is there one person past or present you would meet and why?

Bodicea. She’s probably my ancestress.

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Just the Facts

Author: Les Lynam
Genre: YA Science Fiction (Time-Travel)
Book: …Before You Leap from the Time Will Tell series

Bio

Les Lynam (1954- ) was born in Creston, Iowa, into a farming family which also included an older brother and two older sisters. The family farm was near the tiny community of Corning, Iowa, (birthplace of Johnny Carson). After graduating from Corning High School, he attended Central Missouri State University (renamed University of Central Missouri in 2006), graduating in 1976 with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. After a short, mostly unsuccessful, attempt at running a print shop, he refocused and returned to a life of studies at the University of Missouri. He received an M.A./M.L.S in 1986 and began a new career as a librarian at Ward Edwards / James C. Kirkpatrick libraries at UCM. He took an early retirement on December 31, 2012 to pursue his lifelong dream of writing Science Fiction. His premier novels, “…Before You Leap” and “…Saves Nine”, were first published in 2014 with hopes and dreams of many more to come. His favorite sub-genre of Science Fiction is Time-Travel, with Martian Colonies a close second. He has one son and three grandchildren.

Blurb

Two teens from two centuries apart, one the direct descendant of the other. Einstein’s Theory didn’t cover THIS relativity.

Sean Kelly considered himself an average 16-year-old, living in an average neighborhood in a small University town. Nothing too exciting ever happened in Grover’s Corners, Missouri; some might even label it boring. His ordinary life was disrupted when a distant relative dropped by at the beginning of his Junior year in high-school. A distant relative from the 23rd Century.

Review

What a terrific combination of science fiction, nostalgia, and just “good ole fun”. Lynam’s graphic depiction of adolescents in the mid-1990’s, and the way he skillfully develops them within his sci-fi theme are masterful. It has been years since I have read a book where I felt so attached to so many characters.

While I don’t consider my well-versed on the “science” of time travel, his depiction seems very rational and logical. I’ll let the time travel experts weigh in on that subject.

This book is so much more than a science fiction book. If you were an adolescent in the 90’s, your heart will be warmed by the authors skillful description of the unique qualities of that generation. If you are not from that generation, Lynam has skillfully depicted how the details of adolescence have changed, but the basic themes are constant. He has done so with respect and well placed humor.

You would be missing a “great read” if you passed on this book because you “are not a science fiction fan”. It is unfair to have to put this book in a category because I believe it appeals to everyone. Historical references are accurate, characters come alive, humor is well placed, and the science fiction is believable.

In his first attempt, Lynam has written a book that exemplifies why a well-written book is so much better than any movie ever made.

I can’t wait for more from him.  — Bryan L. Jackson

Excerpt

At the end of class, Sean was one of the first out the door.  He went as far as the stairs to the main sidewalk and waited at the bottom, exchanging “hey” with a few people as they passed him, then his eyes met Megan’s.  She was chatting with Ashly as they approached.  When she saw Sean, she started to purse her lips.

“I swear, Megan,” Sean growled, “if you do any more air kisses I will smack you!”

Megan unfurled a catlike smile.  “Really, Sean?  Principal’s Office on the second day for hitting a girl?”  They walked past him, laughing as they went up a couple of steps.  “Maybe you can get some real kisses from Alexis,” Megan said over her shoulder.  Ashly giggled.  Sean closed his eyes and imagined Megan’s head exploding.

He waited and watched as nearly everyone from the outside classrooms went up the steps.  The over-achievers were already heading the other way, early for their second class of the day.  At last Alexis appeared.  In the sunlight, Sean could see that she was wearing blue jeans and a simple blue shirt with three-quarter sleeves.  He wondered if the color reflected her mood.  She stepped past him and started up the steps.

“Really, Alexis?” Sean said as he quickly gained the same step that she was on, “today I don’t even exist?”

“Of course you exist,” Alexis stated flatly, still looking straight ahead.

“So yesterday you were stalking me, and today you give me the cold shoulder?”

“My shoulder is the same temperature as…” She stopped abruptly, then continued, “I am making no attempt to ignore you.”

“What do you call it, then?”

“I believe you said, ‘Just dial it back a little, huh?  Maybe more than a little.'”

It took him by surprise.  She had perfectly mimicked his cadence and inflections, almost as if she had recorded him and played it back in her own voice.  

“Will you stop a minute?” he demanded.

“I will be late for my next class, as will you,” she said as she maintained her pace.

“Thirty seconds then.”  He grabbed her shoulders and spun her to face him.  “I just don’t want to feel like I’ve ruined your life because I don’t have feelings for you the way that you want.”

“Then you should not,” she stated flatly.  Her face showed no emotions.

“Not what?”

“Not feel like you have ruined my life.  You can select an alternate emotional state.”

“Look, I just want us to be OK,” he insisted, “Can’t we start over and just be friends?”

“Yes, we can be friends, and I have already determined that I must ‘start over.'”

“You have?  Good.”  Sean paused as he examined Alexis’ eyes for any telling signs.  She was silent, and too much silence always made him uncomfortable.  “So… you never know… maybe with a little time… and not rushing anything… you never know,” he babbled as he tried to assemble a coherent sentence.  

She smiled.  Nearly a believable smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.  Sean dropped his hands from her shoulders.

“No, I believe I do know,” she said.  “I have committed numerous mistakes.  Alexis Townsend is not the girl for you, Sean Kelly.”  She turned and started walking to the main building.  Sean fell back into step with her.

“Ummm… OK.  So… all right… friends… and yeah, OK… good talk.”  They entered the building, and Sean started up the steps to his next class.  Alexis remained on the ground floor and started down the hall.  He stopped four steps up and called over the rail.  “Hey, Alexis… um… you know, Raj really does think you’re cute and all… so… you know….”

Alexis looked up to see him shrugging.  “You truly are a fascinating person, Sean Kelly.”  

She smiled.  It was a genuine smile this time.  

Sean continued up the steps, but called down, “Right… umm… yeah… OK… good talk!”

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

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Just the Facts

Author: Deidre Mapstone
Genre: YA Fantasy
Book: Sigrun of the Bandamann Saga

Official Site

Bio

Deidre Mapstone grew up in Rochester, New York. She’s a city girl who spent her summers on Canandaigua Lake. She had the best of both worlds, and a most cheery childhood.

She married her high school sweetheart right out of college, and a few years later started their family. They now have three children, the first to soon attend college.

Being busy raising three children, Deidre didn’t discover writing as an occupation until later. She wrote things throughout her life, but didn’t think she’d ever have anything published. That is, until self publishing came along.

The self publishing world opened up possibilities to Deidre that before, she just thought of as dreams and ideas.

With encouragement from her writing daughter and her husband, Deidre wrote a dream down that spun into a story and blossomed into her first novel, Sigrun, the Bandamann Saga.

She has discovered and fallen in love with the world of writing, and hopes to bring many of her ideas to others!

Blurb

The Lundgrens own and operate Sigrun:

A family restaurant on the shores of Mount Desert Island, Maine. They are a hard working, every day, American family. But like every family, they have their secrets, some stranger than others. The way these secrets unfold may surprise you.

Their tale begins with a familial ease considered unique to most, but their seemingly perfect relationships are ordinary compared to what hides beneath the surface. 

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