D. Lieber's Blog, page 20

Jennifer Rahn Character Interview

This is a character interview with King Alekseidir, Father of King Vladdir—protagonist of Jennifer Rahn's #fantasy Wicked Initiations, Legends of Temlocht I. Vladdir, King of the underground Temlochti State, is cast out into the Desert when his kingdom is invaded by Aragoths—strange soldiers controlled by the Sorcerer Ilet, who has made no demands and is destroying everything without reason. On the brink of losing everything, Vladdir gives in to a curse that fills him with cannibalistic desires, and gains him access to the capricious, dark magic of the Desert. With his new powers, he overwhelms the nearly indestructible Aragoths—but finds that Ilet was not the Aragoth commander at all. His true enemy is the mysterious Desert Priest, who taps into Vladdir's curse to ensure the King will never know peace, and to make him pay for the near obliteration of the Aragoths with all he holds dear. There is only one way out—to set free the Pure Continuance of the King who roamed the Desert before him. Excerpt: “SEN BYRNAE!” he roared, trying to funnel his anger against the building lust. “BYRNAE! I NEED YOU NOW!” He sat up and took in a great breath of air to yell again, and his vision faded out. Not to black, as it usually did, but this time everything washed out to white. “My Dear. King. Alekseidir.” Sen Byrnae had finally entered, clapping in mock appreciation. “Look at you. This time you’ve managed to fall out of bed.” Aleksei realised how pathetic he looked. Wearing a white nightshirt stained with sweat, half his hair falling out of his braid, unshaven, he stood on one foot while suspended between two servants who held his arms and a third who had one of his legs. “You insolent pig. I’ll have you whipped.” “Certainly, My King. If you can muster the ability to give the order. And then, I wish you the best of luck finding another doctor who will tolerate your tantrums. Put him back in bed, will you? And change the sheets. It smells in here.” Aleksei gasped and wrenched against the hold of the servants, who released him as soon as he was over the bed. He felt another of the energy pulses surging within him and turned his face into the pillows, hiding the changes that would be crossing his features. “I can give you more laudanum,” said Byrnae. “No,” Aleksei rasped through the pillow. “It’s the blood. Take the blood.” “Why the blood? And what blood? You hardly have any.” “It’s the blood that curses me! Take it, I tell you!” Character Interview. Written by Jennifer Rahn “Welcome to Ink & Magick. I’m your friendly neighbourhood witch. What kind of spell can I get for you today?” My visitor takes a few unsteady steps forward before pulling off his hood with a bony hand. I blink as he moves into the light, and his face resolves from something rotten into that of an older, once-handsome man. “Who am I?” he askes dazedly. “My King Alekseidir,” I reply. “Father of King Vladdir, who also walks in the Shadow.” He chuckles as I take his arm to lead him to one of the chairs waiting along the walls of my shop. “Am I still he? Sometimes it’s hard to remember.” “Tea?” I ask, and he nods. When the steaming cup is warming his hands, he looks up at me again. The half of his face that rests in darkness still appears skeletal and dead. “You offered me a spell. I have need of one that can break a curse.” I leant against my workbench, my arms folded, waiting for him to continue. “I once drained myself of blood. That was the only way I could escape the hunger the Desert Wizard had placed on me.” I shuddered, remembering the tales I had heard of Sen Vernus, and the dark magic that he mixed with science. A curse rendered by him would have been horrible indeed. “And that is how you came to be dead. The Undertaker.” “I cannot cycle into the next life while this affliction sits upon me. Whenever I again have blood, the purple venom will consume my will, and fill me with unnatural hungers. Its weight also fell upon my sons.” His expression collapses in grief. I’d heard rumours that he had eaten his two eldest. “Can you break the curse, Lady?” I had not anticipated such a heavy request upon opening my shop this morning. Break a curse set by Sen Vernus? Would the Old One come after me if I did? Surely, he’d become aware of my meddling. And yet…I would have the gratitude of King Alekseidir, and all the Yrati Priests with their Red Ghoulish masters who would push back the Heat of the Desert with their Water magic. Vernus did not like rivals. Better he if were removed. I picked up my pestle and began to crush herbs. Jennifer Rahn is the author of two dark fantasy novels, Wicked Initiations and The Longevity Thesis (Dragon Moon Press), and two science fiction novels, The Cyanide Process and Dark Corridor (Bundoran Press). She has also published short stories in several anthologies, including Podthology (Dragon Moon), Tesseracts 18 and 19 (EDGE), and Blood & Water (Bundoran). While not writing, Jennifer researches brain tumours at the University of Calgary. You can connect with Jennifer on her website, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. You can get your copy of Wicked Initiations, Legends of Temlocht I on via her website and Amazon. Get Legends of Temlocht I and II together on Amazon.

Troy A. Hill Character Interview

A character interview with Maria, #vampire protagonist of Cup of Blood, a #medieval #LGBT F/F #urbanfantasy, and Book One of a six-book series. Medieval Britain needs a champion with fire in her veins and her fangs bared… Wales, 650 A.D. Maria thirsts for blood but longs for peace. When her latest meal accidentally bites the dust, the imperial Roman vampire draws the attention of a ruthless witch hunt. Cornered and outnumbered, a Celtic goddess intervenes… but Maria is destined to become Britain’s new champion. Nursed to health by an alluring druidess, Maria’s strength increases, along with an unfamiliar desire for the beautiful caretaker. But with Witch Hunters hot on her trail, roving shifters terrifying the countryside, and Welsh lords warring over their fractured nation, the vampire has no choice but to act. As her short recovery time ends, her dangerous fight has only just begun… After centuries of hiding in the shadows, can Maria stand in the light and battle to protect Britain? A Cup of Blood is the first book in a dark post-Arthurian #urbanfantasy series. Welcome to Ink & Magick. I’m your friendly neighborhood witch. What kind of spell can I get for you today? Maria: Oh, no spells needed. May I offer you refreshment? Potion of choice? Maria: Oh, a simple cup of blood would be wonderful. Cup of blood coming right up… Wait, isn’t that the… Maria: Yes, the title of the book series my human is writing about my adventures fourteen centuries ago. You have a human? A pet? Maria: (Laughs) Not a pet. A business associate. I’m fond of business. That’s what took me to Britain back in what you would call the seventh century. (Takes cup of blood and raises it.) Diloch o Galon! Was that a toast? Maria: Actually, just the current Welsh version of thank you very much. Welsh? I thought you went to Britain. Maria: Perhaps there is a difference in the minds of some folks. But the Cymry—or Welsh in today’s world—know that they are British more than any others. Except perhaps our highland cousins in the north. You’re not actually Welsh though? I mean, you’re how old? Oh, I do apologize. One should never ask a lady her age. At least, not in polite company. Maria: That is quite all right. I had already seen six centuries when I traveled to Britain. I was born shortly after the time Gaias Julius Caesar tried to conquer the Celts of Europe. I died when his nephew, the one you know as Augustus wore the purple. So, twenty-ish centuries old. That must mean you survive the books your human is writing. Maria: I’m not sure “survive” is the correct word. What do you mean? Maria: You’ll have to wait until he writes the final book in this series to find out. Of course. But, back to Britain. In the middle of the seventh century, you traveled from? Maria: The area you’d know as France. The Merovingians were ruling, to use the term lightly. They were selling access and power. I was of the mind to purchase some and expand my investments, but I needed a husband. Women were rarely allowed to own property. Surely you could proxy something after all those years? Maria: Of course. I had enough business interests in other names, but found an elderly merchant looking to expand his dealings outside of northern Europe. I had the contacts he needed in Rome. It was a perfect match. We merely married to create the business partnership we needed. So, a marriage of convenience… Did you ever…? Maria: With him, no. He made his desire to remain celibate clear. He had wanted to take vows and retire to monastic life, but his sons needed to mature more before taking the reins of his empire. Even with my help to grow the business, his sons weren’t overly fond of my presence. So the sons forced you out? Maria: Not as such. Oh, they were happy enough to see me go. What made me flee to Britain was the guild. The Loyal Order of the Witch Hunters, and their ties to the Roman Church. You had problems with the church? Maria: Not until the Guild was formed. Somewhere toward the end of the fourth century, they started to pursue all they deemed unnatural: shifters, Children of the Night? Children of the Night? Maria: My kind. The undead who drink blood and avoid the sunlight. The guild was also after the witches and the fae. Unfortunately, Caesar and his legions, including my father, did too good a job stamping out the Druids. But, that showed the fae and the other spell casters they needed to remove themselves from our world. The shifters and we Children were already in the shadows, hiding our natures. The others learned from us and faded from public view. We call your kind vampires now. Interesting that you have a name for your kind. These Witch Hunters must be a scary lot? Maria: There was a resurgence of the guild centuries later, from the country you call Spain. The Inquisition, I believe. They learned many of their tactics and techniques from the Witch Hunters of the Dark Ages. Was that time really dark? Maria: From your laugh, you know the answer. Not dark at all. Though Britain was, and still is wet. That island gets substantial rain. Those years are called the dark ages because many of the written records are lost to time. There weren’t many such records. Only the monks and a few nobles wrote any, if at all during that time. The age is dark because you humans know so little about it. Let’s get back to Britain. You went there from France, pursued by the Witch Hunters. What did you find in Britain? Maria: First, the Witch Hunters found me. That was a hairy time. There was death and a lot of blood. Then, after I died again, I found love. You’re undead, you died again with the Witch Hunters, then rose and found love? Maria: Not quite. The goddess of Britannia, an ancient Celtic goddess, needed my help. She sent her disciple. Lady Gwenhwyfar to aid me. Gwen shared her blood with me. A lot of blood. I suspect the goddess wasn’t letting me die the true death, holding my spirit in my body until Gwen arrived. When I take that much blood from one person, I can’t help but to love them. Gwen and I, well… Wait! The way you pronounced her name, that sounds like Queen Guinevere, wife of Arthur, King of the Britons. Maria: Why, yes. Her name, and her deceased husband’s name do sound just like those. You’re smiling with some unspoken jest. So you also met Lancelot? Maria: Oh, no. He was a later invention. Artur… or Arthur as the human writing my books calls him, was Cymry — Cymry? Maria: Welsh. The original Britons. Or as close to original as one can get with the various migrations that happened to the island. You seem fond of these Cymry. Maria: Fond of? After all that happened, yes, I am. I don’t want to give too much away, but Britain has been my home, my land since the goddess called me to serve her. You agreed to be like Gwen? What did you call her? A disciple? Maria: Yes, and things in religion usually come in threes. There were three of us, sisters in service to The Lady of Britannia. Lady? Like the Lady in the Lake? Maria: Well, I never saw her rise from the lake, nor fling a sword at anyone. (Maria laughs, a light musical note in the incense filled shop we sit in…) Gwen and I have a special lake. It was there we first… well. We spent many nights there, under the stars, staring at nothing. Just enjoying being there with each other. But you asked about the Goddess. More superstitions turned into stories. The goddess who called me was the deity of the land. The Goddess of Sovereignty. The Cyrmy called her “Modron,” which means mother. Lakes are sacred to such a goddess. A mother goddess, of course. What was her portfolio? How did she interact with the Cymry? Maria: She rewarded the leaders of the people who protect their people and the land they serve. She bestowed sovereignty on the rulers who did just that. You mean, like Arthur? Maria: Exactly. Gwen would often say that Arthur’s ambition led to his downfall. Conquering people and the land took more and more of his attention. He stopped caring for those he was to shepherd. So The Lady let the mantle fall from his shoulders. He was no longer champion, and he fell in battle. We’ve got a good notion of the land and the people. Why did the goddess call you? Maria: Evidently because I love the dance. You were to entertain a goddess? Seems rather quaint for a calling of a disciple. (Maria laughs and reaches down to the floor. She lays a sword I hadn’t noticed before on the table between us. A sword unlike any I’d ever seen.) Maria: I dance with this. Arthur’s sword, though I have another, one my brothers gave me. It’s just as special as this one, but only to me. Wait! That is Exc–? Maria: Again, that name is a later invention. The goddess of Britannia holds the hollows of Britain. The special magical items. A sword, a cauldron, a spear, a cloak… there are a dozen or so. Gwen keeps track of them. The sword, however, is my specialty. I was the champion of the goddess, so she sent me the sword, whenever I needed it. That turned out to be often. Champion? Wasn’t that Arthur? Maria: Well, he did a century before I showed up. The office was vacant, not that I really wanted to take the title. Gwen asked me nicely, though. I can’t say no to Gwen. Do all vampires… I mean Children of the Night play with swords? Maria: Swords are not playthings. (She smiled to lessen the scolding.) In the hands of a warrior, it’s a danger to all around her. A tool of destruction. And in your hands? Maria: After my brother Aemi, Aemelianus, also of Rome, though older than I… After Aemi spent centuries learning the dance of the blades then taught me, we became the two best masters on all the Earth. I hear that often from those with similar weapons. Some of them have the scars to prove their time in battle. Maria: Due to my nature, I no longer scar. If I didn’t have a scar when I died and became undead, then I won’t have a scar now. No matter how bad the wound. So, it’s not bragging if you can do it? (Maria grinned. A thin little grin of knowing.) Maria: Back to your question. Just like a master bard can take a single instrument and fill a great hall with an entire orchestra of sound, Aemi and I can fill a field of battle with our blades. In our hands, the blades are poems, songs, and we turn them into symphonies. I don’t mean disrespect, but how can we be sure of that? Maria: Read the books. I’ve patiently tried to explain the techniques and the dances to my human. He’s rather clumsy though. I’ll only let him hold a blunted practice weapon. Had he shown up at one of Aemi’s training halls, seeking lessons, Aemi would have sent him home after a day—with a smile and caution to always wear armor to protect himself. Poor fellow. So, this goddess whom you serve, needed you for your weapons skills. You must have killed an army of her enemies? How many books has your human written, and what’s the death count up to? Maria: He’s working on the sixth. And yes, Emlyn and I, with some help took out two armies, and then some. Once the evil undead, those that served the enemies of our goddess appeared, we weren’t worried about the count any longer, only about protecting our people and stopping the enemies of our goddess. Emlyn? Maria: Penteulu, or war leader of the Cantref of Penllyn. Think of it as duchy in Wales of that time. Technically, Penllyn answered to the King of Powys, one of the nations of Wales. But the political dynamics were such that Lord Penllyn maintained independence. Lord Penllyn was independent? So, a king? Maria: No, he was content being Lord Penllyn. The Lords and people of Penllyn were practical, and good people. That’s why we all ended up there. There was more than one champion? Maria: Well… I had the office, but there were helpers. I needed their assistance. Especially, Emlyn’s. He trained with Aemi too. Until I met him, I never dreamed a mere human could dance the blades the way Aemi and I could. Of course, Emlyn could only move at human speed and strength. But he was beyond skilled. A true natural with the blades. Our time is closing. Is the blood to your liking? (I waved at her cup, which she had been sipping as we talked.) Maria: Most definitely. Your own? Of course! I would offer a guest nothing less. Back to your story. You’re serving the goddess of Britain, who is facing a challenge. Because of your skill with the blades, she calls you to take up Arthur’s sword. Maria: It’s actually called the Sword of Light. Yes, of course. The Sword of Light. And we may assume you defeat the enemies of the goddess, And you and Gwen live happily ever after in Penllyn, with all those people you mention. Maria: My human, the writer, tells me this the story could be called a #DarkFantasy. Many people die? Maria: My human says I may not share that information. You do what he says? Maria: Only because I agree with him. One should read the story from the beginning and experience it completely. When will we get to read the end of your story? Maria: End? Stories never end. But the storytellers find a place to stop, that leaves their audience satisfied. He says they may not be happy though. The story takes several dark turns. More teasing! When can we read the final chapters? Maria: Perhaps this winter. I’ve told him all that happened. Up to the point in the tale where he said it will satisfy his audience to end the tale. What happens after that? Maria: (Smiles and raises her cup of blood.) I don’t want to kiss and tell. But I will say that I danced with my blades. Troy A. Hill is the author of the Medieval Urban Fantasy series: A Cup of Blood, as well as The Penllyn Chronicles. The latter series relates the stories of Bleddyn, Emlyn, and Ruadh, along with others who answer the call of the goddess. Though he was not fortunate enough to be born to Welsh parents, Troy does, however, have a strong mix of Anglo and Saxon in him. When he is not spending time in Medieval Britannia, he enjoys playing miniature table top war-games or giving historical walking tours at the Santa Monica Pier. He and his wife live in Los Angeles, California. Most the the books he’s written have been created out on the balcony of their apartment, so his “Fuzzy Editor,” their black house cat, Loko-Kitty, can watch the birds and squirrels that roam West Los Angeles. You can connect with Troy on his website, Facebook, and Goodreads. You can get your copy of Cup of Blood on Amazon.

Omnibus Volume One Release

Happy Friday the 13th AND Happy #NewRelease Day! Today, my first omnibus was released! YAY! That means, you wonderful readers can get my first four novels (Conjuring Zephyr, The Exiled Otherkin, Intended Bondmates, and In Search of a Witch's Soul) all in one volume for less than it would cost separately! DOUBLE YAY! And just look at that gorgeous cover. B-E-A-U-TIFUL. As always, Section 28 Publishing did a marvelous job. So, in short, I hope you all have a very lucky Friday the 13th and check out my new release!

Gary Corbin Character Interview

A character interview for Gary Corbin's #policeprocedural #womensfiction #thriller A Woman of Valor. For Valorie Dawes, #metoo means #fightback. Rookie policewoman Valorie Dawes has a mission: take men like Richard Harkins, a serial child molester, off the streets of her small hometown of Clayton, CT—for good. Things start off well as Val's trusted senior partner and mentor, Gil, shows her the ropes and helps her survive the nastiness they encounter on the streets—and in the chauvinistic office politics at the precinct. Despite Gil's support, Val becomes increasingly isolated within the department and vilified in the public eye as reckless and incompetent. In response, she devotes all of her time and energy to chasing Harkins, but he proves to be both elusive and cruel, continuing to victimize young girls and pressing his threats closer and closer to Val's own inner circle. Can Valorie overcome the trauma she suffered as a child and stop Harkins from hurting others like her—or will her bottled-up anger lead her to take reckless risks that put the people she loves in greater danger? Exerpt: They stared at each other a long moment, with a slight smile creasing Gil’s face, and Val absorbing the implications of what he’d just told her. Would she sacrifice Gil’s life for a child’s if she had to choose, with no time to think? Or any other citizen? Her brother and his five-year-old daughter, yes, without a doubt. But what about a stranger? She averted her eyes and focused on the neighborhood around her, taking in all that she saw. Two gray-haired men laughed at a joke one of them had just told. They looked kind—someone’s grandpas or uncles. A delivery truck rumbled past, honking its horn at a driver trying to turn the wrong way on a one-way street, resulting in a tense exchange of shouts and middle fingers. Did they merit more protection than a fellow cop? What about the gang members like Pope and Dog? The crackling of a woman’s voice on their radios interrupted her reveries. “All units in the vicinity of Woodland Park,” said the dispatcher. “Backup needed on a 10-16 on Greenfield and Woodland. All units in the vicinity, please respond.” “That’s a domestic disturbance,” Val said, her heart racing. “Aren’t we close to that intersection?” “Very,” Gil said. He unclipped his radio. “Unit A-27, on our way to that 10-16,” he said.
“We’re less than five minutes away on foot.” “Make that three,” Val said, breaking into a run across the park. In a split second, she reached sprinting speed, heading toward Woodland Avenue. Val: Thank you, all of you, for considering me for the open position on the Clayton, Connecticut police department. Lieutenant Gibson: We’re thrilled to have you here, Ms. Dawes. Before we begin, do you have any questions? Val: Only one. Why is everyone on this interview panel male? Sergeant Alex “Pops” Papadopoulos: I’ll answer that one. It’s because we ain’t got many women in CPD. And that’s the way it should stay. Gibson: What I think Pops is trying to say is that we need more women on the force, which is one big reason we’re interviewing you. Pops: Is that what I was saying? Paul Peterson: That’s how I’ll quote you in my blog. Ms. Dawes, as the outside observer on this interview panel, I have only one question: do you read my blog? Val: I’ve been warned not to. Gibson: Let’s get to the business at hand, shall we? Officer Kryzinski, would you start us off? Gil Kryzinski: Thanks, Chief. As your future partner, Valorie—can I call you Valorie? Val: Nobody’s called me that since I was thirteen. I go by Val now. Gil: Val, then. Why do you want to be a police officer? Val: Ever since I was a girl, I’ve wanted to bring criminals to justice. Especially rapists, pedophiles, and domestic abusers. Pops: Why us? I mean, why them? Val: Seriously? You’re asking me why I want to lock up creepy old men who prey on young girls? Pops: Well, when you put it that way… Peterson: Your uncle, Valentin Dawes—who also went by Val--was a local hero ten years ago on the force. Are you sure you’re not just trying to avenge his death? Val: My uncle was an inspiration to me in all areas of my life. He was a great man. But I wanted to be a cop long before criminals shot him down. I always wanted to be just like him: courageous, honorable, and principled. Gibson: He was a great cop and a great man. Pops: So I suppose you think we should hire you just because of his legacy. Val: Of course not. I wish to be considered on my own merits and accomplishments. Gil: Which are considerable. You were second in your class at the Academy, and the only woman. A track and soccer star at the University of Connecticut, graduating cum laude. Do you actually have any faults? Val: Um…I do have kind of a short temper. Pops: And you’re kind of scrawny. What do you weigh, ninety pounds? Val: One twenty-five. What do you weigh? Three hundred? Three fifty? Pops: Er…next question, chief? Peterson: I’ll take the next one. Ms. Dawes, is there anything in your past that might disqualify you from becoming a peace officer in Clayton? Val: Other than my gender, you mean? Peterson: Have you ever been a crime victim? Of, say, rape, harassment, or sexual abuse? Val: That’s none of your business! Gil: It sure isn’t. Val, what type of cop would you see yourself becoming? Val: One that focuses on protecting our most vulnerable citizens from violent crime and brings perpetrators of those heinous crimes to justice. Gil: So, an Avenger type? Or a Savior? Val: I’m not really familiar with this taxonomy… Gil: Oh, right. Don’t worry, I’ll train you on that. Pops: I knew your Uncle, Dawes. Are you as reckless as he was? Gil: Pops, if you have to ask a question like that, you clearly didn’t know her uncle. Peterson: I have another question. Dawes, are you seeing anybody? Val: Please tell me you’re joking. Peterson: I would, but I don’t have a sense of humor. Gibson: Ms. Dawes, final question. Thinking about your life story, what’s the message you’d most like to share with the world? Val: That women can do anything a man can do—including the toughest and most dangerous of jobs, like police work. That their past, no matter how traumatic, doesn’t define them. Nor does their gender. Peterson: I actually have one more question. Do you believe that a man can write sympathetically from the point of view of a woman? I ask because I’d like to do a profile of you, without, you know, actually asking you anything more about yourself. Val: I’m not sure that you can, but that’s what people are saying about A Woman of Valor. Gary Corbin is a writer, editor, and playwright in Camas, WA, a suburb of Portland, OR. Lying in Judgment, his Amazon best-selling legal thriller, was selected as Bookworks "Book of the Week" for July 11-18, 2016, and was the feature novel on Literary Lightbox's "Indie Spotlight" in February 2017. Gary's plays have enjoyed critical acclaim and have enjoyed several productions in regional and community theaters. A Woman of Valor is Gary’s sixth novel, all in the #crime/#mystery genre. All are available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook forms, and all are or will soon be out on audio as well. A homebrewer and coffee roaster, Gary loves to ski, cook, and watch his beloved Red Sox and Patriots. He hopes to someday train his dogs to obey. And when that doesn't work, he escapes to the Oregon coast with his sweetheart. You can connect with Gary via his website, Facebook, and Twitter. You can get your copy of Woman of Valor on Amazon.

Laura Hawks Author Interview

Welcome to Ink & Magick. I'm your friendly neighborhood witch. What kind of spell can I get for you (or your character) today? A time spell would be great. I'd love to go back in time and enjoy those "great moments" or stop time so I can get more accomplished. I'm starting to see a pattern here with authors who come into my shoppe...It would be irresponsible of me to give anyone power over time and space. I know you can't always control your schedule and that authoring takes a lot of time and energy. But I recommend plenty of sleep and downtime, where you do things unrelated to writing as a sort of battery charger. But speaking of writing, tell me about your #YA #paranormal #mystery recent release Gumshoe and the Mysterious Mushrooms. Mia Thomas just turned 15. On her special day, her teacher needs to speak with her parents, her father gets arrested and a stray cat starts talking to her. So much for a Happy Birthday! With the help from her new familiar, Gumshoe, Mia sets out to clear her family's name and save them from financial ruin. Will her snooping cause her own death, or will her coffee-drinking, wise-cracking, booze-desiring familiar come to her rescue? Excerpt: Unsure of what else to do, Mia grabbed some tuna fish and a plate and headed out to the back. She set the plate down then moved across the alleyway to sit on the stoop of the opposite building. “Poisonous mushrooms?” Mia talked to herself in disbelief. “I made the soup. I cut up the mushrooms and put them in the soup. Somehow this is my fault. I served them. What have I done?” “You didn’t do anything. You didn’t pick them out, so this isn’t your fault.” The voice rang in her head, her ears heard faint meows. She looked up and around, trying to see who was talking to her. The only thing she saw was the Siamese cat she’d been feeding the past week. She shook her head to clear it of cobwebs she was sure were there. She watched the feline move towards the food she’d left for him. He sniffed it but then skirted around it to go behind the dumpster. Odd, she thought at his bypassing the food. She watched the cat move around, almost searching for something, though she couldn’t imagine what. “Meow. Meow. Mew. Meep. Eep. Meoooow.” The Siamese sat regally on top of the dumpster, staring at her. However, she heard something more than just the sounds made from a feline creature. Wonderful. I turn fifteen and I get to go bonkers. I swear I heard him in my head, and it actually made sense. I’m hallucinating, or so lit I’ve lost it. “Darn it. I forgot you can’t understand me.” The cat seemed to grumble and jumped off the dumpster, wandering down the alleyway. Mia rubbed her forehead. “This just can’t be possible. Cats don’t speak English.” The Siamese stopped and stared at her. “Meow, meep?” Mia heard, “Do you understand me, kitten?” She gasped, standing quickly and taking a step back only to trip on the stoop and fall back down on her rump. The cat moved cautiously closer to her. “Mew?” {How?} Mia shrugged in answer to the question but covered her mouth to stop herself from screaming at the same time. She had no clue what was going on, but if she wasn’t totally crazy, she was understanding what this cat said to her. Great. Now I’m Doctor Doolittle, she thought to herself. “Zoe’s right. I’ve gone off the deep end and am Cray-Cray with a capital C.” The Siamese tilted his head, watching her with large, blue, unblinking eyes. “Meow, meow, mew, mew, meow, mew.” {If you really understand me, look behind the dumpster.} “I’m insane. I’m really in looneyland. I’m talking to myself and being answered by a cat that I can understand. This is so wrong on so many levels.” Breathlessly, cautiously, Mia stood and skirted around the small cat as if he would attack, even though part of her was sure he wouldn’t. She didn’t know why she was following his instructions, she just knew she had to.
Using all the strength she had, she pulled the heavy dumpster away from the brick wall to look behind it. On the ground was a partially bloodied glove. At first, she didn’t know why it mattered, but then she noticed there was something rotting and mushy on the outside.
Whatever it was seemed stuck on the plastic glove, and they had handled it after they had cut themselves. Could it be the remnants of a mushroom? Mia was sure she was the only one who handled the mushrooms after they got back from the farmers’ market. Then she remembered she had Henry clean and dry them. She went inside and called for the remaining officer who was standing in the kitchen like some sentinel. Grudgingly, he followed her after he told the rest to remain where they were. Once outside, Kevin looked around. “What’d’ya want to show me?” “Behind the dumpster. I’m not sure if it’s anything, but to me it looks like one of our gloves with a touch of blood inside and what looks like a rotten mushroom outside. I thought it might be evidence.” Giving her a doubting look, he peered behind the heavy metal container and spotted what she was referring to. “Did you touch it?” “No.” “Don’t. I’ll get an evidence bag from the car and be right back.” He quickly hastened down the alleyway towards the street. Mia turned to the cat and stared. She felt like she was going insane. Or maybe she just imagined it all. Moments later, Officer Easton returned with a plastic bag marked evidence in bright red letters across it. Using the inside of the bag, he picked up the discarded glove, turned the bag back and sealed it. “Good work,” he mumbled, then headed back into the kitchen. The cat moved over to sit beside Mia. Without a word, she stared at him in confusion. “Meow, meow?” {You can really hear me?} “Yes. I don’t know how, but I can. How can you even be talking to me so that I understand what you’re saying? I’m dreaming, right? I’ve turned fifteen and am now having a nervous breakdown. Or those cupcakes got me lit on something higher than chocolate.” Eve walked out then. “Mia? Who are you talking to?” The older woman moved to sit next to her daughter. “No one, Mom. Just flipping my lid is all.” “What do you mean? And who is your cute little friend?” Mia shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s been coming around since opening night, and I have been giving him some scraps of food.” She didn’t want to tell her mom why she suddenly felt the need to see a shrink and get some happy pills. Maybe she was on some TV show, like Punk’d or Impractical Jokers, and wondered when the hidden cameras were going to pop up. “Were you talking to him?” Mia gave her a puzzled look. “Sure. Why not? I was talking to the cat.” Eve tilted her head slightly as she looked the animal over. “And is he talking to you?” “What?” “Is the cat talking to you?” Eve was dead serious, but Mia felt like she entered the Twilight Zone. A snarky cat named Gumshoe? I love it! Can you tell us a little more about him? Well, some of it you need to find out as the series progresses, but what we know so far is that Gumshoe is a reincarnated 1940's private eye who was murdered and uses his human detective skills to assist Mia in solving the cases she will be involved in. Oooo! Which one of your characters surprised you? Gumshoe. I thought he was going to be a sweet cat and instead he likes to drink, smoke and loves his coffee. He's also snarkier than I expected. Still love it! If you could time-travel, would you travel to the future or the past? Where would you like to go, and why would you choose that time period? For the author... the past. I want to spend time with my family, especially my mom, who is no longer with me. For Mia, she'd say the future, cause she'd excited on what it has to offer. Albeit, she might also choose the past, 1940 just to help Gumshoe find out who killed him... but that's another story. Intriguing. What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful? Spread the word so others will buy it. Always excellent advice. What can we expect from you next? Right now, I've working on the second in my contemporary suspense series—the Valley View Mysteries—and I'm also working on the fourth in my Spirit Walker's Series—a Native American paranormal romantic suspense series. I've also got my second short story for the Fractured Fairytales, and then I'm back to the second in my Gumshoe series... I can see why you asked for more time! Well, like I said, don't forget to get plenty of rest and take breaks. And thanks for stopping in. I hope you will come by again and tell us about any new works. Good Luck! Laura Hawks has always been interested in writing in some form or other, including writing for a local newspaper. Deciding to become more knowledgeable, she headed back to school and received her Master's degree in Ancient Civilizations, Native American History and United States History. It was at this time she got involved in role playing on FaceBbok, which gave her ample opportunities to grow and hone her writing ability. She lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her four companions, all males... cats. She travels as much as she can to various author/reader conventions and loves to meet established fans and make new ones, some of which she considers friends more than fans. You can connect with Laura on her website, Facebook Author Page, Facebook Fan Page, Twitter, and Amazon. You can get your copy of Gumshoe and the Mysterious Mushrooms on Amazon.

Madeleine Holly-Rosing Author Interview

Welcome to Ink & Magick. I'm your friendly neighborhood witch. What kind of spell can I get for you (or your character) today? A spell that gives me more time each day to do my work would be amazing. Could you do that? Pretty please. :) *Chuckles* Bending time isn't something that take lightly, Dear. I might suggest plenty of sleep, healthy food, and exercise to keep your brain at its peak. You're sure to get more quality work hours that way. Please, tell us about your #supernatural #steampunk novel Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets. Politics and power. Demons and spirits. When ex-Pinkerton detective Samuel Hunter married Elizabeth Weldsmore, the heir to one of Boston’s Great Houses, he knew his life would change forever, but he never expected the return of Elizabeth’s psychic abilities. Not only do they have to keep it a secret, but Elizabeth must learn quickly how to master them. For a psychic in a Great House is a political liability which her father, Jonathan Weldsmore, knows only too well. As the Great Houses jockey for power, the three of them must contend with treachery, subterfuge, and potentially a new demonic threat, in this political and supernatural thriller set in an alternate-history Boston of 1890. This novel is a prequel to the graphic novel, Boston Metaphysical Society. Steampunk!!! I love it. So would you say you emphasize story, characters, or tech? Definitely character. My stories tend to be more steampunkish in nature; however, a few are primarily ghost stories. They are all alternate-history. I do love to combine science and the supernatural though. As do I! There seems to be a lot going on here. Tell me more about the psychics in your world. How do you handle supernatural creatures? Most psychics are Irish, though there are a few exceptions. They are rare in the Boston Metaphysical Society (BMS) world, and their talents vary from simple fortune telling to telepathy to being able to push the barriers of time and space. That ability is extremely rare. There are demons in the BMS universe, though you only get a hint in the novel. You actually get to meet different kinds in The Demons of Liberty Row (A novella and part of the Boston Metaphysical Society: Prelude anthology) and Here Abide Monsters (A short story and part of the Some Time Later anthology from Thinking Ink Press.) There is a demon sub-culture that you'll see more of in the next novel and graphic novel. What kind of research did you have to do for this? The research actually started a long time ago when I was writing a script for the Sloan Fellowship while I was getting my MFA in Screenwriting at UCLA. Called Stargazer, it was about a Scottish-American woman named Mina Fleming who came to this country pregnant and was abandoned by her husband in late 1800s Boston. She found a job as a maid for the director of the Harvard Observatory where he noticed her attention to detail. She was hired to be a female computer and eventually discovered over 10,000 stars and developed a new stellar classification system. (Based on a true story). I'm happy to say I won the Fellowship. That research was the basis for Boston Metaphysical Society. Congratulations. Look at the beautiful cover art! Why don't you give a shoutout to your artist? It's my understanding that this novel is a prequel to a graphic novel series. Is the artist the same? The artist for the cover of A Storm of Secrets was Luisa Preissler. Anke Koopman did the title graphics. Emily Hu was the artist for the original graphic novel series while Gwynn Tavares took up the mantle for the sequels: The Scourge of the Mechanical Men and The Spirit of Rebellion. For those looking for the original graphic novel, Source Point Press picked it up and they are re-publishing the individual issues, and the trade will be re-published early next year. You can order Issues 1 & 2 at your local comic book store now. (Order #MAY191907 and JUN191915). However, you can purchase the original six issue mini-series from me at a convention. Which one of your characters surprised you? Caitlin always surprises me. She has been through so much, yet manages to stay positive. I think that is one of the many things her father, Andrew, imparted to her. Who is your favorite (or least favorite) character and why? In the graphic novel, it's Granville Woods. He's smart, resilient and the scientist of the team. For the novel, it's a toss up between Andrew O'Sullivan and Sampson. They are both intelligent and strong men who are sensitive to those around them. If you could time-travel, would you travel to the future or the past? Where would you like to go, and why would you choose that time period? That's a tough one. I'm a big fan of running water, electricity, and modern medicine, so going into the past would be quite a challenge. And the way things are going I'm not sure I'd want to jump into the future. But if I could go be a fly on the wall somewhere, I'd like to check out Sparta before the Battle of Thermopylae. I love ancient military history and those guys were badass as well as the women. (BTW, don't use the movie The 300 as an accurate portrayal of either the Spartans or the Persians.) Noted! What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful? Write reviews!! You have no idea how much that helps on places like Amazon, Bookbub, and the rest. And of course, tell your friends. What can we expect from you next? I'm currently outlining the next graphic novel, which will bring the team back to Boston (The Spirit of Rebellion was set in Philadelphia.) It will also include the demon I introduced in Here Abide Monsters. I've also started on the next novel series, which is set during the time of the House Wars (my version of the American Civil War.) That will be fun to write as I will be able to focus on two of my other favorite characters: Gwen Warrick and Beatrice Weldsmore. Gwen was introduced in a short comic story, which was part of the trade paperback, and Beatrice is in my novella, Steampunk Rat, which is also part of the anthology, Prelude. You certainly have your hands full. I can understand why you want a spell for more time. Keep calm and full steam ahead! The writer/creator of the Boston Metaphysical Society graphic novel series, companion novel, and short stories, Madeleine has also run a number of successful crowding campaigns and published the book, Kickstarter for the Independent Creator. She is the winner of the Sloan Fellowship for screenwriting, and the Gold Aurora and Bronze Telly for a PSA produced by Women In Film as well as having won numerous awards while completing the UCLA MFA Program in Screenwriting. Formerly a nationally ranked epee fencer, she has competed nationally and internationally. Madeleine is an avid reader of comics, steampunk, science fiction, fantasy, and historical military fiction. Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets, was recently awarded a Silver Medal in the SciFi/Fantasy category as well as The Write Companion Award for Best Overall TOP PICK — Adult, Children's and Young Adult categories in the Feathered Quill Book Awards. You can connect with Madeleine on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. And you can get your copy of Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets at any of these retailers.

Fun at Kitsune Kon 2019

Another great year at Kitsune Kon. It was heartwarming seeing some of my faithful supporters, and I always enjoy meeting new fans as well! See you next year!

Joseph Bendoski Author Interview

Welcome to Ink & Magick. I'm your friendly neighborhood witch. What kind of spell can I get for you (or your character) today?
Just a standard transmutation of lead into gold will do. Better yet, straw (writing budget, you know, even lead can get pricey).

*Chuckles* Perhaps you've come to the wrong place. I'm not Rumpelstiltskin. He's next door. But tell me about this #historicalthriller The Sky Fall Conspiracy. What makes a nation believe a lie? William Stephenson is an expert in mass media persuasion and propaganda. He watched the rise of Hitler on a mountain of lies, but Stephenson also believes that the Nazis can be undone by the same power that created them: propaganda. There is just one problem. All foreign broadcasts are illegal in Germany. At best Stephenson will have a day before the Nazi soldiers storm his radio station. It took Hitler over a decade to change the beliefs of the people; one day is not enough. Then something incredible happens. In less than one hour, The War of the Worlds broadcast convinces millions of Americans that aliens exist, and the world is coming to an end. Now, Stephenson races against the Nazis to discover the secrets of the Sky Fall before the Third Reich uses them to gather more allies for the coming war. Some say The War of the Worlds scare never happened, others promised it would never happen again. Dive deep in the history and science propaganda of persuasion as this conspiracy unfolds. Take a Look-Inside and discover what makes a nation believe a lie. THIS. SOUNDS. EPIC. What kind of research did you have to do for this? Mostly, I studied propaganda techniques and advertising, and the two have a lot of cross over, particularly when you get into the psychology behind specific techniques. I also read a lot of World War Two books or those that take place during the 1930s. Tell me a little more about your protagonist. I selected my protagonist from history itself. I read an old article in the New York Times about an interview with Ian Fleming (author of James Bond). In it, he mentions that Bond is just a fictional version of a spy, “William Stephenson is the real thing.” The idea that James Bond was based on a real person intrigued me, so I read up on him. Long before he was a spy, he specialized in propaganda research. He was a perfect fit for my story, so I plucked him right out of history. Which one of your characters surprised you? My characters don’t surprise me. I’m a plotter. Plan things out. If something surprises the reader, it’s likely I brainstormed ideas until I found one that seemed surprising. I don’t write myself into corners, and the characters don’t get whimsical mid-chapter. Who is your favorite (or least favorite) character, and why? My favorite is Silas Cooper, the antagonist. I worked hard to create a backstory so that it is easy for the audience to see that in his mind, he is the hero of his own story. He’s forced to do a lot of things he disagrees with and has a hard time doing it, but he believes the great goal is worth the sacrifice. If you could time-travel, would you travel to the future or the past? Where would you like to go, and why would you choose that time period? The future. As much as I write historical fiction, I’m eager to see what new technology will bring us. I remember being filled with envy that a younger generation would grow up with podcasts and such easy access to audiobooks that I didn’t have. What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful? Nothing makes me feel more like a beggar or annoyance to my reader than reviews. They have probably heard this a thousand times, and a thousand times more, but leave a review. Readers have no idea how important that is to an author. It does more than make us feel good, it directly impacts how many people will click on ads, read the blurb, and ultimately buy the book. When it comes to reviews, I built a team of over 40 readers. Sent out early, free copies. Sent reminder emails, and more reminders emails and in the end, I got 2 reviews. We writers beg and plead, but most of the time our cries fall on deaf ears. Readers don’t understand how important it is. Some advertisers won’t even take our money if we don’t have enough reviews. So very true...What can we expect from you next? I’m working on the last book in the series, from there I plan to change my psychological direction. This series has all been about mass media persuasion. Next, I will look at peer persuasion: how we influence each other—from celebrities to friends and family, how each relationship shapes our decisions and choices. Of course, it will be another historical thriller. My big pitch is that when people talk about peer pressure, they usually think it’s a teenager issue, but then I point out the events in Nazi Germany, and that changes the way they think about the issue. That’s how I write. I pick moments in history when we can look at an idea and see it entirely different, more profound, and powerful than people thought. Well, thank you so much for stopping in to talk with me and good luck finding Rumpel, he's an elusive one. Joe Bendoski studied psychology in college and was fascinated by all the insights it provided into human behavior, only to realize most information never reaches people, and when it does, rarely is it in a form that allows for practical application. He started writing non-fiction, but soon realized how few people read that genre and began the difficult transition to fiction writing. His non-fiction works include: the Chemistry of Attraction and the Language of Emotion. He worked as the head writer for the television show Saved by Grace. After being frustrated with comments like "make this scene cheaper," "What's my motivation?", and "Do we need this scene?" he decided to move into literature. You can connect with Joseph on Facebook . And you can get a copy of The Sky Fall Conspiracy on Amazon .

Cathy Skendrovich Character Interview

This interview is part of a Bookbub promotion. Whoever reads this and then follows Cathy on her Bookbub page will be entered in a contest for an ARC of one of her books! Contest winner will be revealed on January 28, 2019.DEA agent Sawyer Hayes came to California in search of a drug cartel leader who slipped through his fingers in El Paso. The link to finding him is Kate Munroe, a nanny for one of his henchmen. The problem? He didn’t expect to be so drawn to a possible suspect. How is he supp...

Elle Lewis Interview

Welcome to Ink & Magick. I'm your friendly neighborhood witch. What kind of spell can I get for you (or your character) today?Me and my character both need a spell (That is...if the witch is so kind to grant two!) I would love a spell to freeze and unfreeze time at will so I can get caught up on my TBR list. I have so many amazing books waiting for me, world's to jump into! The Black Rose (publisher) group is so talented, many of their books have made it onto my list as well. My character, Sl...