Zora Marie's Blog, page 4

Character Interview with Jedda from Before the Luck Runs Out

We have Jedda here with us today from Before the Luck Runs Out, a new release as of yesterday! So, tell me Jedda, how old are you?

I’m not sure. Maybe fifteen.

Do you have a family?

I’m an orphan, so I don’t really know what family means.

Oh, I see. Well, do you have any parent like figures?

The grocer by the market square, kind of looks after me a bit. I’d like to find out who I am, but no one in this city looks like me.

How would you describe your childhood?

Hungry. Scary. I found a good hidey-hole a couple of years though, so I has a safe place to sleep. It even stayed mostly warm all year.

What’s your greatest fear?

When I was on the streets, I wasn’t afraid of nothin. Now, I’m dressed all fancy like, and sleep in a real bed, and even have friends. I’m always afraid they will find out the truth.. that I am a liar, a fake, and a spy.

That is a difficult kind of life to live. What do you hate most about yourself?

I don’t talk as well as everyone else does, and I always feel like everyone knows what’s going on– except me.

What’s your greatest strength?

I’m lucky. And I’m good at sneaking around.

Do you have a weakness?

I never know who to trust, and make bad decisions sometimes.

Have you traveled?

Only around this city- but I knows it really well. I flew in one of them fliers once, over the city. That could count for travel, right?

Yes, I suppose that could. Is there something from the past that haunts you, keeps you awake at night?

The things I used to do to stay alive and fed. I h’aint proud of that. But it’s what you do when you han’t got no one else.

What’s your biggest secret?

I’m an orphan, and I spy on all the people that think I am their friend.

What’s your favorite animal?

The Owl.

The owl is a very cool and powerful animal that symbolizes strength and knowledge in the darkest of places. Before we go, do you have a question? Something you would like our readers to answer? 

What would you like to see me do, when I leave Tatak Rhe and travel out into the magical lands?

 

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Fun Update!

It has been a while since I’ve given an update on my progress, so I thought I’d pop in. I’ve been very busy over this lovely December. I’ve taken finals, passed classes with flying colors, edited, written, sketched out ideas for some fun design projects, reconfigured the art and web design branches of my website, and lost my sanity. Oh, wait, I lost my sanity sometime last summer when me leprechaun up and took off with it. If you happen to see the little bugger, let me know as at least a bit of sanity back would be nice.

Interview with Ayn from The Shiva XIV Series

Usually, I wouldn’t stack two posts on the same day, but I figure it’s the holidays, so why not! So, we now have Ayn from The Shiva XIV Series, which you can find my review of the first book, uh, somewhere around here.

This is going to be a bit different than our usual interviews. You see, Zelia (one of my characters) has met Ayn and wants to learn more, so she’s going to take over this interview.

Before we get going, I would like to apologize for Loki’s behavior at your character crossover party a while back. It’s a good thing Felix knows better than to bet against a god and I don’t like fighting. I’m not thinking there would be much left of your palace if the two phoenix of the party would have ‘trained’ there. 

Oh, it’s no problem, Zelia. I admit, I was terribly worried at first that such an immense party would be the end of existence, let alone my palace. But it turned out really wonderful, and having a God like Loki there only made things more fun!

So that’s your definition of fun? Okay, I think I’ll stick to star gazing. So, Ayn, how old are you?

By book 3, I’m about 16/17. I know, I’m pretty young, though I feel old inside.

So I have the older you here today, awesome! Tell us about your family, what were they like?

I have a mother named Amya. She was the queen of my planet. I didn’t know her long, unfortunately, but I loved her greatly. My father… well, he was a mystery to me. I also have a teacher who was like a father to me and a secondary teacher who was like a brother. They were the priests who raised me, and they were my family.

How was your relationship with them? Did you love them? Hate them? How have they influenced you?

I adored my mother… And I like to think her grace and patience has influenced my personality. I think my temper would get the better of me if it weren’t for her love. I also looked up to my teacher, High Priest Meddhi-Lan. He was my idol, my world. He shaped me so much, I can barely put his influence into words. Without his wise advice and guidance, I may not have had the strength to carry on.

High Priest Meddhi-Lan truly was a great figure to have looked up to and I understand your loss for words. Instead, could you describe your childhood?

It was… Complex. I was raised sheltered from the world in the Holy Temple where the priests there told me I was the “Bodanya,” which means their chosen messiah. From an early age, I tried my best to be what they wanted, but I’ve come to realize, I can only be myself. I had a few happy moments with my teachers, but for the most part, my childhood was rather lonely.

What’s your greatest fear?

The death of those I love, and that I cannot save my galaxy from disease and war.

What is your greatest strength?

The memories I have of my past life, I suppose. His name was Adin, and he had power over the “plasma” of the universe. Through my memories of him, I can control plasma, and the energy around me. It’s not easy though, and there are side effects.

Do you have a weakness?

I’m too sensitive for my liking. I get scared often when bad things happen. I’m also highly allergic to many things: smoke, shellfish, bug bites. Even intense or sad emotions give me rashes or breathing problems. I’m a bit of a mess. It makes me question everything the priests thought about me.

Have you traveled? If so, what’s your favorite place? Can you describe it for us?

I’ve traveled to a few different cities and planets. My favorite one is Deius, my home. It’s mostly a warm planet, but there are mountains to the Northeast. We have a vast, diverse population with extremely old myths and legends. I love everything about my home, but especially the Holy Library where I often spent my youth reading the old scrolls and books. I learned about the ancient gods there, and I can’t imagine a better place.

Is there something from the past that haunts you, keeps you awake at night?

I have so much, I don’t know where to begin. My mother haunts me… and I carry a big secret… But I can’t talk about it.

I would ask you what your biggest secret is, but I believe we already know the answer to that one. So, let’s go to something that’s always the hardest question for me to answer, what’s your favorite animal and why?

My favorite animal would be my Duna. He was the best dog in the universe! Besides him, I love all animals and creatures! I’m not sure my friend, Axis, is an animal… But if so, then he’s great. He’s a cross between a lion and a giant bird. He’s full of plasmic power too! He’s amazing.

What is your biggest desire in life? What do you want to achieve?

I want to balance the opposing forces in the universe. I want to stop the rampant illness spreading like wildfire, but I also want to understand why it even started. Other than that, I simply want to have a good life. I want to matter. I want to have lived and died for a reason. I can only hope the Gods allow me such a fate!

Such a noble wish, Ayn. Well, that’s all we have time for, thank you for coming! I can’t wait for your next character party by the way.

Interview with Author Jeffrey G. Roberts

The author of The Healer and Cherries in Winter, Jeffrey G. Robers, is here with us today. Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start writing. 

I was born in New York City, and graduated with degrees in writing and history, from Northern Arizona University, in Flagstaff, AZ. I began writing because I wished to create worlds that did not yet exist – but might; characters that were not in existence – but could be; and wondrous situations that never happened – but someday could. A writer is like a god: creating, destroying, altering, then creating again. I’ve often wondered, in my overactive imagination, if, when I go to sleep at night, my characters would keep looking at their watches- frozen in time- waiting for the morning- when their creator could breathe life into them once again – to move, to love–to be!

That leaves the mind to wonder just how much life have we breathed into our characters. So, how did you go about getting published?

I discovered self publishing by having subscribed to Booklocker.com’s newsletter, who then published THE HEALER. I am now seeking the traditional path of publishing, as well as a literary agent, for representation of my 5 other novels.

Five other novels, someone’s been busy! What is your writing process? Do you have a time, day or place you like to write?

When the muse hits me. Although every day, I engage in some aspect of my writing, whether it be research, promotion, locating markets, or marketing my books and short stories.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Full-time job, pets, hobbies?

TV and You Tube ASMR videos are cathartic for me, and not only provide much needed relaxation, but are a fount of ideas, as well. I also never miss the evening world news. I also read – obviously – being an aviation freak and UFO enthusiast. I also like to travel the state of Arizona, where I live, and practice my photography. I’m a great lover of music; some of my favorite artists being Enya, Gerry Rafferty, Ray Lynch, John Barry, 60’s rock, such as The Ventures, Moody Blues, Yes, as well as classical, and modern groups like Owl City and Tino Izzo.

It would apear I need to look into some more musicians… Never mind that, what’s your all time favorite animal? It can be mythical. 

Probably kittens. Though I’m a dog lover, as well.

Do you have a favorite myth? 

I don’t know about myths, but old stories with a moral have always intrigued me. There are so many it would take volumes to compile. But one that stands out is “Bontsha the Silent”, by I.L. Peretz. It deeply moved me.

Well, technically myths are just stories, some bassed off of real life events and some not so much. Therefore, I shall take your answer.

Emach from the New Release – Reclamation

Today we have a special guest from Reclamation, which is set to release tomorrow. Welcome Emach, let’s start off with how old you are. 

Depends on which lifetime. I have three in the book. The first goes from infancy through my 30s, I think. Hard to say since I don’t know when I was born. The second is adulthood, maybe 20s. Again, I don’t know when I was born. The third would be my late 30s. I know when I was born, but am not telling.

Do you have any family? If so, what’s your family like?

Again depends on which lifetime. My first family, if you could call them that…. My adoptive “father” was abusive to both me and my adoptive mother. My second lifetime I didn’t acquire a family until I married. My third lifetime, I was born into a loving family who supported my ambitions to become a real estate developer.

Multiple lifetimes make things interesting, so I have to ask, how was your relationship with your parents over the years? Do you love them? Hate them? How have they influenced you?

My first lifetime was a time of strife and abuse, both physical and emotional. I never knew love and had no idea what it was. Later, I thought I loved a woman but she betrayed me. As for hate…I moved beyond hate. They made me who I was. My second lifetime I was cared for by a wonderful family and knew love for the first time when I wed. The third lifetime my relationship with my family is very good and supportive.

I don’t see any mention of siblings, do/did you have any? Do/did you get along?

First lifetime – no siblings, thank the gods. I wouldn’t want anyone else to bear what I did. Second lifetime – again no siblings. Third lifetime – a brother and sister. Both are married with children. I love them all and we get along well…erm…most of the time.

How would you describe your childhood?

First lifetime – in a word…hell. Second lifetime – I’m not sure I had a childhood. I don’t remember. Third lifetime – I’d say a normal childhood.

Normal, such a curious concept. So, what’s your greatest fear?

First lifetime – the unknown. Second lifetime – the forest known as the Sheekahr Kahll. That and almost losing my husband when Haru stabbed him in the back. Third lifetime – not being able to complete a development project, although I have to admit that forest is damned unsettling.

Awe, I’m a forest lover myself, but I can understand how some can be haunting. What do you hate most about yourself?

First lifetime – that I was such a fool as to think my love was returned. Second lifetime – my fear. Third lifetime – I can be damned impatient.

Fear and impatient, I can relate to those! Now, what are your greatest strengths?

First lifetime – that I no longer have anything to lose. Second lifetime – an ability to heal. Third lifetime – I’m good at bargaining, making deals. It’s how I acquired the land for the super mall before the Cois.

Do you have a weakness?

First lifetime – absolutely not. Second lifetime – yes, my fear. I’m so often afraid of everything. Third lifetime – I’m not sure I want to say since it might jeopardize my next deal.

Good point, good point, we’ll let you keep that one to yourself. So, have you traveled? If so, what’s your favorite place? Can you describe it for us?

First lifetime – I’ve been all over the plains. The villages and farmsteads are ripe for plucking. Second lifetime – I’ve travelled over the plains with the Cois as they followed the horse herds. When we were close to the hills, Tyrr took me to a small pond with a waterfall. It was lovely and so romantic. Third lifetime – I’ve been all over the countryside with my development projects. Can’t say as I’ve ever had a favorite place though. It was all business. Maybe on the sofa in my living room with a good drink and watching TV.

Is there something from the past that haunts you, keeps you awake at night?

First lifetime – I refuse to let anything haunt me. What’s past is past and made me who I am. The only thing that’ll keep me up at night is listening for sounds of pursuit after raiding a village. But that’s why we stand guard, even though the Elite Guards don’t know the terrain as well as I do. Second lifetime – I had nightmares about a previous life. I often woke trembling in terror. Third lifetime – Not really. I might not be able to sleep because of the stress of a project, but nothing else.

What is your biggest secret?

First lifetime – That I’m not what I thought I was. Second lifetime – That I’m not who everyone thought I was. Third lifetime – My connection with the Cois and that forest.

Sounds like you’re a bit haunted by your past lives there. We’re about out of time so let’s wrap things up with a light-hearted question. What’s your favorite animal and why?

First lifetime – A good, strong horse, capable of carrying an armed warrior. Second lifetime – The only animals of which I come in contact are the horses of the Cois herds. Dakk gave Tyrr and I a matching pair for our wedding. Third lifetime – I had a large black dog when I was a boy. He’d be my favorite.

Well, that’s all we have time for, thanks for coming, Emach! If I ever dig myself out of his mound of to be read books I’ll have to come learn more about your past! 

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Kendro from The Secret King – Letháo

Today we have a character from The Secret King – Letháo, a book or audiobook, with us! I must admit, I’m ever so slightly excited to have such a loving King among us. Okay, enough gushing, how old are you Kendro?

In your human years around 45. You can see my pic here – http://bit.ly/2eQ3cKb

A very fine picture indeed, Kendro. So, tell us about your family. 

All my people are my family. They’re connected to me in every way, I hear them, and feel them. There are many good people, and some not so good. I try and encourage good from everyone.

How’s your relationship with your parents? Do you love them? Hate them? How have they influenced you?

Both my parents are dead, my mother a very long time ago, and my father in protecting all of us.

What about your siblings? Do you get along?

I have a half brother. Who I really did get along with, he sacrificed himself for our escape from Lethao.

For those of you who don’t know, Lethao was their world, though not their home world as they had been driven from it not all that long before having to evacuate Lethao.  So, Kendro, how would you describe your childhood?

I trained, I learned, and I trained more. I spent many nights with my closest friend Octav, where we’d put the world to rights. Not knowing or understanding what our future really did hold for us.

What’s your greatest fear?

Hurting those closest to me, and letting all of my people down.

I must say, your people couldn’t ask for a better King. What do you hate most about yourself?

My visions, they come when least wanted, and drive my nightmares.

What is your greatest strength?

Taliri, my son. I have every faith he will become the leader everyone will adore and follow.

Taliri is a very special little boy. Do you have a weakness?

I try to do everything, and sometimes accomplish nothing.

Have you traveled? What’s your favorite place? Can you describe it for us?

I have traveled across many stars, and seen many futures, but none were as beautiful as the planet Earth. Her green fields and blue seas took my breath away.

Is there something from the past that haunts you, keeps you awake at night?

No, but it does from my future, seeing the moment your wife dies is the hardest thing anyone can go through. I pray to Ari that I can keep it from happening, but if I change one detail alone, it does nothing to stop her death.

That is a heavy weight to carry. What is your biggest secret?

My son, Taliri, without keeping him a secret when we land on earth he would soon become a target for my enemies, and more, the Houses.

What’s your favorite animal and why?

I can’t help but love our Pushat. They’re such intelligent creatures even if they’re one of our more stable meats. I try and avoid them at the dinner table, and used to sneak outside and pet the ones in the stables when I was a youngster.

Well, it would seem that is all we have time for, anything else you would like to say befor eyou go?

If you’d really like to get to know me more please check out the ebook on the 13th December, as my fantastic author has it up for free! whispersync deal is 2.99 and the fabulous Greg Tremblay hits home with our treacherous escape from Letháo to Earth.

Find more information at www.thesecretking.com 

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Author Interview with Steve Braker

Hey, Steve Braker! What do you do?

I write action adventure books, and work for the oil and gas industry in East Africa.

Adventure books, elaborate, what are the titles of your works? Happen to have a blurb for one of them handy?

African Slaver , African Treasure. These are the first two books in the series, William Brody African Ocean Adventure.

Rest, relaxation, and cool beers on the horizon…

Former Special Forces Major William Brody is finally due for some R and R. Just trying to clear the brutal shadows of the past from his mind, Brody’s next mission is clear: Spearfishing and Scuba Diving in warm clear tropical waters, with some cold beers on the beach. Living the dream…

As Brody makes friends with the locals settling into the island retreat, his plans for peace and relaxation are suddenly shattered. After weeks of terrorizing the island paradise, a ruthless sea captain finally commits the unthinkable: he kidnaps a group of young girls from the village. Heartbroken and scared for the children, the people look to Brody for help. Time is running out…

When Brody rallies the villagers to form a rescue team, he realizes he is the only one with the skills for this kind of work. With nothing but basic weapons and a sailing boat, Brody feels the weight of the dire situation. The lives of the girls are on the line, with the slave markets of Somalia only days away, the clock is ticking.

Brody leads his ragtag crew across the rough and lawless ocean, knowing they are the only hope for the young girls. Once Special Forces, always Special Forces, he’s got this! With Brody at the helm, they’ll find the girls or die trying.

Thank you! That gives me a bit of an idea of your writing. Now, tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start writing. 

I live in East Africa on the Kenyan Coast, during the 17 years I have been living here I have sailed the coast line from Tanzania to Somalia in all types of sailing craft, then motor boats. I love to scuba dive, and fish along the coast. I have lived among the local Swahili people here and have had so many fun adventures and trips during my time in East Africa. This lead me to want to give people around the world some adventure stories about this coastline. I base the outline of my stories on real events that have taken place then I include all of my fictional ideas to make it, what I hope, is an enjoyable read. I currently have the two short stories above with a third more substantial work coming out before Christmas.

How did you go about getting published?

I am an Indie Publisher so lots and lots of time on YouTube.

Youtube, such a lovely place. What is your writing process? Do you have a time, day or place you like to write?

Luckily my work is contract based, when I have down time I can commit to working every morning until around 2pm. I have a home office overlooking my beloved Indian Ocean. This gives me more ideas to work with, but is distracting at times as I end up just wishing I was fishing.

I can relate to that, I think fishing might be a distraction for me too. So, what do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I sail boats, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, sitting in my local bar telling stories, snorkeling, going on safari.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly gelous… With all of that under your belt, I have to know, what’s your all time favorite animal? 

Dolphine

Hm, I see a theme with you and the ocean here and I bet the next question is going to continue with that theme. Do you have a favorite myth? If so, tell us about it! 

My favorite myth is the story of the Kraken, a mythical sea creature that comes up from the depths to destroy ships and take their crews back to the ocean. It originated off the coast of Norway. The story is supposed to be linked to giant squids that can grow up to fourty feet in length and can be very dangerous to seamen.

Funny you mention that one, I was just researching the origin of the Kraken and a few other sea monsters a few months go. But that’s enough about me, tell us about your next book project. 

My fourth book in the series will be set on an Island called Ziwayu off the coast of Kenya near the Tana River Delta. William Brody my lead character stop a Chinese Ivory Smuggling ring saving the elephants of Tsavo. Lots of diving, fishing, fighting and sailing.

Well, it’s about time I ran off to class, so do you have a sale or event coming up you?

On the 8th December my first book will be on KU five days free.

Cool! Here’s some like to track Steve Braker down at. Thanks for coming! 

http://stevefreelancewriter.wordpress.com/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LQDZ6XU/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWAFZ47

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013516261858

 

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Interview with Author Shakyra Dunn

Author Shakyra Dunn, tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start writing. 

Hi there! I’m a writer by day (and honestly by blood), stocker by night. As a writer, I made this my dream because I have always wanted to inspire someone else to follow their dreams. As a child, my original goal was medicine, but writing was a talent I had always possessed. As a teenager, I looked back at my old works from around age seven and decided to try again. Plain to say, my mother wasn’t happy when I decided that I wanted to be a writer. But after convincing her, I took the plunge into this messy and amazing field. Through that strive and goal, I feel that no matter what stands before you, you shouldn’t abandon your dreams at any cost. It makes it all worthwhile.

How did you go about getting published?

Well, after completing my novel, I did some research on traditional versus self-publishing. I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to try out the traditional method after seeing the process and how extensive it was, so I chose to self-publish. But now I’d love to also try traditional!

I understand that one! So, What is your writing process? Do you have a time, day or place you like to write?

I begin my process with characters above anything else. They tend to scream at my brain, aching to tell the story that has yet to be shaped. I take great passion in making sure that they are understood as accurately as possible. From those characters, their world shapes, the place where they were created, and where they want to make their journey’s end. And in between all of that comes the plot. Simple, complex, the range matters not, as long as it is something born. Do I have a set schedule on how it all happens? Not exactly, I’m the type to go with the flow more than anything! But it tends to be in the middle of the day when I’m fully awake after work.

Being awake always helps. 

Review of Mistletoe Confession

The first short story in this collection by E.J Bennett, Mistletoe Confession, is a cozy little romance drowning in hidden feelings that stemmed from childhood and leaves your imagination to run wild. I must say, I believe E.J Bennett writes third person better than first person, which is what she uses in the next story and still pulls off quite well.

The Unexpected Guest another cute little romance, but this time with a snowstorm on the horizon and in first person. Sorry, I can’t say more as I don’t give spoilers.

Interview with Author Michelle Murrary

Hello, Michelle Murrary, it’s a pleasure to have you here, tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start writing. 

I started writing in high school. I am a working mother of two fine young men. I love the outdoors, going for walks, and of course reading.

How did you go about getting published?

Currently, I am self-publishing.

Same here! So, what is your writing process? Do you have a time, day or place you like to write?

I write usually after dinner on the couch. I write everything long hand first. 

What do you do when you’re not writing? Full-time job, pets, hobbies?

Yes, I work full time. I spent time with family, go for walks, read, paint and do crafty things.

What’s your all time favorite animal?

My favorite animal is the horse. They are such magnificent animals.

Horses are a favorite here too. Now, I’m a bit of a myth junky, so, do you have a favorite myth?

My favorite myth is the crow and the stones. Look it up it might become your favorite!

**Scribbles crow and the stones down on my list of myths to dive into** Tell us about your next book project. 

I’m working on some sequels, what were the wizards like before being trapped in stone.

Do you have a sale or event coming up you would like mentioned?

Currently I am giving away five free dream walker land of mystica series cards featuring art work based on the books to anyone who shares my page they will need to tag me or I’m me the link showing they shared and give me their mailing address.

Happen to have a blurb for The dream walker land of mystica series for everyone here ?

Dream walker land of mystica series is a fun family friendly fantasy series that features Miranda as she travels through Mystica to save the white wizards from their stone prisons. Learn how the wizards got trapped in the stones. Follow Miranda through the plains ice caves forest of the lost and dragons lair on her adventures.

Rainbows and Dreams is a collection of poetry.

Awesome, thank you! So, what are you reading now?

I just finished Moon chosen by P.C Cast.

Well, that’s all we have time for today. Feel free to check out Michelle Murray’s facebook page at: facebook.com/dreamwalkerseries

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