E.J. Stevens's Blog, page 46
May 4, 2014
Q+A with Cecy Robson (Cursed by Destiny)
Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Cecy Robson! Cecy is the author of the Weird Girls series (Sealed with a Curse, A Cursed Embrace, Cursed by Destiny).
Q+A with Cecy Robson
EJ: When did you begin writing?
Cecy: May 1, 2009.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Cecy: Patty Brigg’s CRY WOLF. I purchased it to read on a plane ride and instantly became hooked on Urban Fantasy.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Cecy: I’d like the power to kill / eliminate muffin tops. Seriously, mine needs to die and women around the world would thank me.
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Cecy: CURSED BY DESTINY is filled with action, tension, gut-wrenching moments, and inappropriate and often snort-worthy humor. A page turner, it will grip you to the very end. Plus there are cute guys in it.
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Cecy: Celia—Emmy Rossum. She has the ability to portray a wide range of emotions which is necessary for Celia’s character. Celia can be as tough as nails and as fragile as glass.
Taran—Emmanuelle Chriqui. This actress is stunning and solid enough to handle Taran’s fierceness.
Shayna—Jennifer Lawrence. Aside from Celia, Shayna is the most physical. I need an action star with tremendous theatrical range to play my perky sword wielder.
Emme—Ariana Grande. This actress has that innocence about her Emme shares. While doe-eyed like Emme, you can see the spark of her inner strength and hope which Emme represents for the sisters.
Aric—Milo Ventimiglia. This actor practically “growls” in the way he regards the camera. The intensity in his stare is also a necessity to portray this Alpha wolf.
Misha—Taylor Kitsch. I’m not sure if there’s another actor out there with a wicked twinkle in his eyes or grin more befitting Misha.
Cursed by Destiny (Weird Girls #3) by Cecy Robson.
Celia’s a girl in trouble. Her heart is bound to Aric, but he is a pureblood were who must deny her or risk condemning his species to extinction. And that’s just her love life. She’s also been called to take down a group of demon terrorists looking to overthrow the paranormal world. (No pressure.)
In order to bring them down, Celia must ally herself to Misha, the master vampire who has made no secret of his desire for her. And if that weren’t enough misfortune for one girl, a clairvoyant’s prediction could destroy Celia and Aric’s love for good. The only way to protect the world from unbridled supernatural terrorism is for Celia to bind herself to her destined mate. And that doesn’t appear to be Aric…
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Cecy for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Cecy Robson and her books, please visit her website.
Q+A with Cecy Robson
EJ: When did you begin writing?
Cecy: May 1, 2009.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Cecy: Patty Brigg’s CRY WOLF. I purchased it to read on a plane ride and instantly became hooked on Urban Fantasy.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Cecy: I’d like the power to kill / eliminate muffin tops. Seriously, mine needs to die and women around the world would thank me.
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Cecy: CURSED BY DESTINY is filled with action, tension, gut-wrenching moments, and inappropriate and often snort-worthy humor. A page turner, it will grip you to the very end. Plus there are cute guys in it.
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Cecy: Celia—Emmy Rossum. She has the ability to portray a wide range of emotions which is necessary for Celia’s character. Celia can be as tough as nails and as fragile as glass.
Taran—Emmanuelle Chriqui. This actress is stunning and solid enough to handle Taran’s fierceness.
Shayna—Jennifer Lawrence. Aside from Celia, Shayna is the most physical. I need an action star with tremendous theatrical range to play my perky sword wielder.
Emme—Ariana Grande. This actress has that innocence about her Emme shares. While doe-eyed like Emme, you can see the spark of her inner strength and hope which Emme represents for the sisters.
Aric—Milo Ventimiglia. This actor practically “growls” in the way he regards the camera. The intensity in his stare is also a necessity to portray this Alpha wolf.
Misha—Taylor Kitsch. I’m not sure if there’s another actor out there with a wicked twinkle in his eyes or grin more befitting Misha.
Cursed by Destiny (Weird Girls #3) by Cecy Robson.
Celia’s a girl in trouble. Her heart is bound to Aric, but he is a pureblood were who must deny her or risk condemning his species to extinction. And that’s just her love life. She’s also been called to take down a group of demon terrorists looking to overthrow the paranormal world. (No pressure.)
In order to bring them down, Celia must ally herself to Misha, the master vampire who has made no secret of his desire for her. And if that weren’t enough misfortune for one girl, a clairvoyant’s prediction could destroy Celia and Aric’s love for good. The only way to protect the world from unbridled supernatural terrorism is for Celia to bind herself to her destined mate. And that doesn’t appear to be Aric…
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Cecy for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Cecy Robson and her books, please visit her website.
April 30, 2014
Q+A with Michelle Krys Author of Hexed
Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Michelle Krys! Michelle is the author of HEXED, the first novel in The Witch Hunter series.
Q+A with Michelle Krys
EJ: When did you begin writing?
Michelle: I’ve always wanted to write a book, but I never actually gave it a try until I was on maternity leave four years ago. I was very fortunate that my son slept through the night in addition to taking 3 to 4 hour naps during the day. I suddenly had a lot of free time on my hands, and realized that I would never get a better opportunity to give my dream of writing a book a shot.
I spent my free time that year writing and editing my first novel, which, like many first novels, was truly awful. But I learned a lot from the experience, and got started writing my next book—Hexed. I like to think it’s a significant improvement over my first attempt.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Michelle: My first novel was adult contemporary. I think part of the reason it didn’t take off (other than it being my first novel) is that my heart just wasn’t in it, and that translated onto the page.
After I trunked that novel, I decided my next book would be something I’d want to read myself: that was a YA paranormal romance. That isn’t to say I don’t enjoy adult novels or even contemporary novels, just that it’s where my passion lies. And not only was the process a lot more enjoyable, but the book turned out leaps and bounds better than my first attempt, which I think is pretty telling.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Michelle: It sounds self-serving, but I really would most want to be a witch. Witches get to have magical powers with very limited drawbacks. Unlike, say, vampires, who can’t venture out into the sun and have to survive on blood—yuck.
Unless of course you’re a witch in Hexed, in which case sorcerers are actively trying to kill you. That changes things.
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Michelle: Hexed is a paranormal novel that doesn’t take itself too seriously—if you enjoy a bit of humor and camp mixed in with your action and romance, then you’d probably enjoy my book. (At least I hope so.)
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Michelle: I’ve always thought Tyler Blackburn, who played Caleb in Pretty Little Liars, would make a great Bishop. He has the perfect look and great onscreen charisma. Indie is a much harder character to cast. The right actress would need to have great comedic timing, first and foremost. (And big, curly hair!)
Hexed (The Witch Hunter #1) by Michelle Krys.
If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made. Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won’t stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school. Who wouldn’t want to be her?
Then a guy dies right before her eyes. And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. But it’s when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie’s world that she learns her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties. If she doesn’t get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die. And that’s seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she’s a witch too.
Suddenly forced into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie’s about to uncover the many dark truths about her life—and a future unlike any she ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid.
Release Date: June 10, 2014
Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Michelle for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Michelle Krys, please visit her website.
Is HEXED on your TBR list?
Q+A with Michelle Krys
EJ: When did you begin writing?
Michelle: I’ve always wanted to write a book, but I never actually gave it a try until I was on maternity leave four years ago. I was very fortunate that my son slept through the night in addition to taking 3 to 4 hour naps during the day. I suddenly had a lot of free time on my hands, and realized that I would never get a better opportunity to give my dream of writing a book a shot.
I spent my free time that year writing and editing my first novel, which, like many first novels, was truly awful. But I learned a lot from the experience, and got started writing my next book—Hexed. I like to think it’s a significant improvement over my first attempt.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Michelle: My first novel was adult contemporary. I think part of the reason it didn’t take off (other than it being my first novel) is that my heart just wasn’t in it, and that translated onto the page.
After I trunked that novel, I decided my next book would be something I’d want to read myself: that was a YA paranormal romance. That isn’t to say I don’t enjoy adult novels or even contemporary novels, just that it’s where my passion lies. And not only was the process a lot more enjoyable, but the book turned out leaps and bounds better than my first attempt, which I think is pretty telling.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Michelle: It sounds self-serving, but I really would most want to be a witch. Witches get to have magical powers with very limited drawbacks. Unlike, say, vampires, who can’t venture out into the sun and have to survive on blood—yuck.
Unless of course you’re a witch in Hexed, in which case sorcerers are actively trying to kill you. That changes things.
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Michelle: Hexed is a paranormal novel that doesn’t take itself too seriously—if you enjoy a bit of humor and camp mixed in with your action and romance, then you’d probably enjoy my book. (At least I hope so.)
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Michelle: I’ve always thought Tyler Blackburn, who played Caleb in Pretty Little Liars, would make a great Bishop. He has the perfect look and great onscreen charisma. Indie is a much harder character to cast. The right actress would need to have great comedic timing, first and foremost. (And big, curly hair!)
Hexed (The Witch Hunter #1) by Michelle Krys.
If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made. Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won’t stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school. Who wouldn’t want to be her?
Then a guy dies right before her eyes. And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. But it’s when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie’s world that she learns her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties. If she doesn’t get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die. And that’s seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she’s a witch too.
Suddenly forced into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie’s about to uncover the many dark truths about her life—and a future unlike any she ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid.
Release Date: June 10, 2014
Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Michelle for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Michelle Krys, please visit her website.
Is HEXED on your TBR list?
Cover Reveal Sign-Up: Burning Bright by E.J. Stevens
I am organizing a cover reveal for BURNING BRIGHT, the third full-length novel in the Ivy Granger urban fantasy series.
The cover reveal is scheduled for Friday May 16, 2014 (after 12:01AM EST). An email with the book cover, Rafflecopter giveaway link, media kit, and optional HTML for the blog post will be sent to all participants four days before the reveal on Monday May 12th.
Click Here to Sign Up!
Additional information below...
Burning Bright (Ivy Granger #3) by E.J. Stevens
Burning down the house...
Things are not going well at the offices of Private Eye. Jinx is having demon problems, the city is overrun with pyromaniacal imps, and Ivy's wisp powers are burning out of control, attracting the attention of both the Seelie and Unseelie courts.
Along came a faerie queen... It's the worst possible time for the Green Lady to call in a favor, but Ivy's bound by her deal with the glaistig. Too bad there's no wiggle room in faerie bargains.
Ivy must rid the city of imps, keep Jinx from murdering her one solid link to Hell, and fulfill her bargain with the Green Lady--with sidhe assassins hot on her tail.
Just another day's work for Ivy Granger, psychic detective.
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Add to Goodreads.
Books in this series: Shadow Sight (Ivy Granger #1), Blood and Mistletoe (Ivy Granger #1.5), Ghost Light (Ivy Granger #2), Club Nexus (Ivy Granger #2.5).
About the Author
E.J. Stevens is the author of the Spirit Guide young adult series and the bestselling Ivy Granger urban fantasy series. When E.J. isn't at her writing desk she enjoys dancing along seaside cliffs, singing in graveyards, and sleeping in faerie circles. E.J. currently resides in a magical forest on the coast of Maine where she finds daily inspiration for her writing.
Connect with E.J. on Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon, and on her Blog.
Cover Reveal Giveaway
Optional Rafflecopter giveaway. We are giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner. Giveaway begins Friday May 16th and ends Friday May 30th. This giveaway is open to anyone who may receive an electronic Amazon Gift Card. Giveaway winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter.
Thank you!
The cover reveal is scheduled for Friday May 16, 2014 (after 12:01AM EST). An email with the book cover, Rafflecopter giveaway link, media kit, and optional HTML for the blog post will be sent to all participants four days before the reveal on Monday May 12th.
Click Here to Sign Up!
Additional information below...
Burning Bright (Ivy Granger #3) by E.J. Stevens
Burning down the house...
Things are not going well at the offices of Private Eye. Jinx is having demon problems, the city is overrun with pyromaniacal imps, and Ivy's wisp powers are burning out of control, attracting the attention of both the Seelie and Unseelie courts.
Along came a faerie queen... It's the worst possible time for the Green Lady to call in a favor, but Ivy's bound by her deal with the glaistig. Too bad there's no wiggle room in faerie bargains.
Ivy must rid the city of imps, keep Jinx from murdering her one solid link to Hell, and fulfill her bargain with the Green Lady--with sidhe assassins hot on her tail.
Just another day's work for Ivy Granger, psychic detective.
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Add to Goodreads.
Books in this series: Shadow Sight (Ivy Granger #1), Blood and Mistletoe (Ivy Granger #1.5), Ghost Light (Ivy Granger #2), Club Nexus (Ivy Granger #2.5).
About the Author
E.J. Stevens is the author of the Spirit Guide young adult series and the bestselling Ivy Granger urban fantasy series. When E.J. isn't at her writing desk she enjoys dancing along seaside cliffs, singing in graveyards, and sleeping in faerie circles. E.J. currently resides in a magical forest on the coast of Maine where she finds daily inspiration for her writing.
Connect with E.J. on Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon, and on her Blog.
Cover Reveal Giveaway
Optional Rafflecopter giveaway. We are giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner. Giveaway begins Friday May 16th and ends Friday May 30th. This giveaway is open to anyone who may receive an electronic Amazon Gift Card. Giveaway winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter.
Thank you!
April 27, 2014
Guest Post + Giveaway: The Midnight Spell by Rhiannon Frater + Kody Boye
Please welcome today's paranormal guest authors Rhiannon Frater and Kody Boye! Rhiannon and Kody are coauthors of THE MIDNIGHT SPELL. We have a special giveaway for you, but first, check out this fab guest post...
Magical Love Spells in Fictionby Rhiannon Frater and Kody Boye
Rhiannon’s Perspective
When Kody Boye and I decided to write The Midnight Spell, we immediately tossed back a few ideas about how the magic in the book would work. One of the things we decided was to take a few things from traditional lore (broomsticks, cat familiars, cauldrons), but also infuse the witches of our story with their own brand of magic. We were also in agreement that we would not use any real spells in the book or reference the Wiccan religion. Our witches are purely fictional, purely magical, and not tethered to any religion or belief system.
Of course, the fact that we decided to create our own magic was challenging and fun. We tossed back all sorts of ideas for spells, discussed what the magic would look like, and how we wanted it to contrast with the real world that Adam and Christy live in. No one knows Christy and her family are magical beings. Even Adam is skeptical when Christy comes out of the broom closet when he reveals his own sexuality. Christy and her family are not even from our world, but one that used to exist in its shadow. They’re evacuees from a magical world that no longer exists, so there is a lot about Christy’s mother and father that is swathed in mystery.
Though we did pull on legend and myth for various other parts of the book, especially our big bad monster, we had a lot of fun creating our own magical world.
Kody’s Perspective
A lot of the initial world building within The Midnight Spell was in regards to the magical system and how it interacted with the ‘real world.’ It seems commonplace to insert the Salem Trials (or even aspects of Wicca) whenever witches are present. While it is a helpful foundation to build upon in some cases, it becomes repetitive and, dare I say, boring. (At this point, I’d rather read about the actual happenings of the Salem Witch Trials rather than see them with magic.)
For that reason, we completely disregarded any traditional lore. We threw out anything that might connect it to any religion (pentagrams being the prime example) and completely created our own mythos. Christy was, and is, a completely magical being, completely unrelated to the modern world we are used to. For The Midnight Spell, we wanted to turn the tables on the traditional aspects of fantastic monsters, which is why we chose to only use inspiration from the legend (rather than the legends themselves) to create the flesh and blood (or not) creatures.
The Midnight Spell by Rhiannon Frater and Kody Boye.
Adam and Christy have been best friends since kindergarten. Always the perpetual outsiders in their small town in Texas, they’ve always had to deal with nasty comments from their classmates. Adam is called “gay” while Christy is called “witch.”
On both counts the bullies are right.
Their junior year in high school seems destined to be the same old same old until Christy decides to cast a love spell for Adam at the midnight hour. The next day an alluring and mysterious new boy enrolls at school and sets hearts a flutter, including Adam’s. Meanwhile, Christy’s mad crush on the handsome Ian seems to be going nowhere fast. Struggling to capture the heart of Ian while trying to come into her full witch powers is tough enough, but when a great evil arrives in town that threatens everything they hold dear, she realizes that finding a boyfriend is the least of her and Adam’s worries.
Soon Adam, Christy, their potential love interests, and their good friends Drifter and Olivia, will have to battle a force of darkness that has killed in their town before, and will again.
Release Date: February 28, 2013Genre: Paranormal, Young AdultAdd to Goodreads.
Thank you Rhiannon and Kody for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Kody Boye and his books, please visit his website. To learn more about Rhiannon Frater and her books, please visit her website and don't miss our 2010 interview with Rhiannon here at From the Shadows.
Dying to read The Midnight Spell? We've got you covered.
***The Midnight Spell Giveaway***
We are giving away an ebook copy of THE MIDNIGHT SPELL to one lucky winner!
To enter, please leave a comment on this post and include your email address so that we may contact you if you win. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Giveaway ends May 17, 2014 midnight EST.
Good luck!
Magical Love Spells in Fictionby Rhiannon Frater and Kody Boye
Rhiannon’s Perspective
When Kody Boye and I decided to write The Midnight Spell, we immediately tossed back a few ideas about how the magic in the book would work. One of the things we decided was to take a few things from traditional lore (broomsticks, cat familiars, cauldrons), but also infuse the witches of our story with their own brand of magic. We were also in agreement that we would not use any real spells in the book or reference the Wiccan religion. Our witches are purely fictional, purely magical, and not tethered to any religion or belief system.
Of course, the fact that we decided to create our own magic was challenging and fun. We tossed back all sorts of ideas for spells, discussed what the magic would look like, and how we wanted it to contrast with the real world that Adam and Christy live in. No one knows Christy and her family are magical beings. Even Adam is skeptical when Christy comes out of the broom closet when he reveals his own sexuality. Christy and her family are not even from our world, but one that used to exist in its shadow. They’re evacuees from a magical world that no longer exists, so there is a lot about Christy’s mother and father that is swathed in mystery.
Though we did pull on legend and myth for various other parts of the book, especially our big bad monster, we had a lot of fun creating our own magical world.
Kody’s Perspective
A lot of the initial world building within The Midnight Spell was in regards to the magical system and how it interacted with the ‘real world.’ It seems commonplace to insert the Salem Trials (or even aspects of Wicca) whenever witches are present. While it is a helpful foundation to build upon in some cases, it becomes repetitive and, dare I say, boring. (At this point, I’d rather read about the actual happenings of the Salem Witch Trials rather than see them with magic.)
For that reason, we completely disregarded any traditional lore. We threw out anything that might connect it to any religion (pentagrams being the prime example) and completely created our own mythos. Christy was, and is, a completely magical being, completely unrelated to the modern world we are used to. For The Midnight Spell, we wanted to turn the tables on the traditional aspects of fantastic monsters, which is why we chose to only use inspiration from the legend (rather than the legends themselves) to create the flesh and blood (or not) creatures.
The Midnight Spell by Rhiannon Frater and Kody Boye.
Adam and Christy have been best friends since kindergarten. Always the perpetual outsiders in their small town in Texas, they’ve always had to deal with nasty comments from their classmates. Adam is called “gay” while Christy is called “witch.”
On both counts the bullies are right.
Their junior year in high school seems destined to be the same old same old until Christy decides to cast a love spell for Adam at the midnight hour. The next day an alluring and mysterious new boy enrolls at school and sets hearts a flutter, including Adam’s. Meanwhile, Christy’s mad crush on the handsome Ian seems to be going nowhere fast. Struggling to capture the heart of Ian while trying to come into her full witch powers is tough enough, but when a great evil arrives in town that threatens everything they hold dear, she realizes that finding a boyfriend is the least of her and Adam’s worries.
Soon Adam, Christy, their potential love interests, and their good friends Drifter and Olivia, will have to battle a force of darkness that has killed in their town before, and will again.
Release Date: February 28, 2013Genre: Paranormal, Young AdultAdd to Goodreads.
Thank you Rhiannon and Kody for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Kody Boye and his books, please visit his website. To learn more about Rhiannon Frater and her books, please visit her website and don't miss our 2010 interview with Rhiannon here at From the Shadows.
Dying to read The Midnight Spell? We've got you covered.
***The Midnight Spell Giveaway***
We are giving away an ebook copy of THE MIDNIGHT SPELL to one lucky winner!
To enter, please leave a comment on this post and include your email address so that we may contact you if you win. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL. Giveaway ends May 17, 2014 midnight EST.
Good luck!
Sacrificed Ebook Giveaway Winner
Congratulations Mary P. the winner of our
Sacrificed Ebook Giveaway
here at From the Shadows! Mary will receive an ebook copy of SACRIFICED by Desni Dantone.
Thank you to all who entered!
**Giveaway winner selected using Random.org**
Thank you to all who entered!
**Giveaway winner selected using Random.org**
April 24, 2014
Q+A with Amanda Ashley (Night's Promise)
Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Amanda Ashley! Amanda is the author of the Bound series (Bound By Night, Bound By Blood), the Vampire Trilogy (Shades of Gray, After Sundown, Desire After Dark), the Everlasting series (Everlasting Kiss, Everlasting Desire), Children of the Night series (Night's Kiss, Night's Touch, Night's Master, Night's Pleasure, Night's Mistress, Night's Promise).
Q+A with Amanda Ashley
EJ: When did you begin writing?
Amanda: Gosh, I don't remember exactly. Probably in the late 70's.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Amanda: Boredom :) I'd written a number of historical romances and I was getting kind of burned out. My agent at the time asked if I would be interested in writing a short paranormal story for an anthology titled The Topaz Man Secrets of the Heart, and I said yes. I wrote
"Masquerade" (now available as an eBook) and I was hooked on vampires. I've been writing them ever since.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Amanda: Wow, that's a good question. I think being a shapeshifter because it would be the most fun.
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Amanda: Well...I like it If they're fans of the series, I think they'll like it because so many characters from previous books show up, like Mara and Edna and Pearl, real fan favorites. I think it's my favorite Night book. It has what I think is a cool twist and a yummy hero.
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Amanda: If only that would happen!!!! I would love to see my first full-length vampire book, Embrace the Night, made into a movie.
Casting, hmmm? I don't know. My favorite on-screen vampire is Frank Langella, but he's a little old for the role now. I love Ian from the Vampire Diaries, but I can't picture him as Gabriel. Maybe Chris Hemsworth? For the heroine, I don't know. It would have to be someone with some ballet experience, or at least someone who could fake it.
Night's Promise (Children of the Night #6) by Amanda Ashley.
For beautiful heiress Sheree West, vampires are more than a fantasy. They are an obsession. Night after night, she dresses in black and immerses herself in L.A.'s goth club scene. Searching for a lover who is more than a man. A creature of the dark who lusts for her blood. A legend who lives in the shadows and not just her dreams. Then, one fateful night, she meets him. . .
Derek Blackwood is no ordinary vampire. Descended from a bloodline as old as Cleopatra, and blessed with unearthly powers of seduction, he is everything Sheree wished for—and more. When he takes her in his arms, she is powerless. When he kisses her neck, she is his. But when the full moon rises—and passions flare—something is unleashed in Derek that he's never felt before. Something wild. Something dangerous. Something no vampire can control or stop. . .even for the woman he loves.
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Amanda for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Amanda Ashley and her books, please visit her website.
Q+A with Amanda Ashley
EJ: When did you begin writing?
Amanda: Gosh, I don't remember exactly. Probably in the late 70's.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Amanda: Boredom :) I'd written a number of historical romances and I was getting kind of burned out. My agent at the time asked if I would be interested in writing a short paranormal story for an anthology titled The Topaz Man Secrets of the Heart, and I said yes. I wrote
"Masquerade" (now available as an eBook) and I was hooked on vampires. I've been writing them ever since.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Amanda: Wow, that's a good question. I think being a shapeshifter because it would be the most fun.
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Amanda: Well...I like it If they're fans of the series, I think they'll like it because so many characters from previous books show up, like Mara and Edna and Pearl, real fan favorites. I think it's my favorite Night book. It has what I think is a cool twist and a yummy hero.
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Amanda: If only that would happen!!!! I would love to see my first full-length vampire book, Embrace the Night, made into a movie.
Casting, hmmm? I don't know. My favorite on-screen vampire is Frank Langella, but he's a little old for the role now. I love Ian from the Vampire Diaries, but I can't picture him as Gabriel. Maybe Chris Hemsworth? For the heroine, I don't know. It would have to be someone with some ballet experience, or at least someone who could fake it.
Night's Promise (Children of the Night #6) by Amanda Ashley.
For beautiful heiress Sheree West, vampires are more than a fantasy. They are an obsession. Night after night, she dresses in black and immerses herself in L.A.'s goth club scene. Searching for a lover who is more than a man. A creature of the dark who lusts for her blood. A legend who lives in the shadows and not just her dreams. Then, one fateful night, she meets him. . .
Derek Blackwood is no ordinary vampire. Descended from a bloodline as old as Cleopatra, and blessed with unearthly powers of seduction, he is everything Sheree wished for—and more. When he takes her in his arms, she is powerless. When he kisses her neck, she is his. But when the full moon rises—and passions flare—something is unleashed in Derek that he's never felt before. Something wild. Something dangerous. Something no vampire can control or stop. . .even for the woman he loves.
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Amanda for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Amanda Ashley and her books, please visit her website.
April 22, 2014
Q+A with Nessie Strange (Living Dead Girl)
Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Nessie Strange! Nessie is the author of LIVING DEAD GIRL.
Q+A with Nessie Strange
EJ: When did you begin writing?
Nessie: I started writing at a very young age—I can remember coming up with stories when I was in grade school and receiving praise for my imagination. Having always been an avid reader, I guess it felt natural for me to want to craft my own stories. It wasn’t until my early twenties, however, when I finished my first novel, that I thought of trying to publish my work.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Nessie: I could probably blame my family for that, haha. I can remember my dad watching horror movies and those monster movies from the 1950’s when I was a kid. He also had lots of Stephen King books on the shelf. That being said, I’ve always been interested in things that stretch the imagination, and I think paranormal fits that bill. Quite simply, I write things I would like to read, and I love reading about real world situations that have a touch of the magical or the unknown. With writing fiction you can make anything happen, while you must also make it appear believable enough that a reader will buy into it. Vampires, zombies, werewolves, dragons—it doesn’t really matter what the creature is—our job as writers is to bring them to life. That can be a huge challenge, especially when you want to bring something unique to the table. So much has already been done. How do we as writers make it new? How do we keep it interesting? It’s almost like solving a puzzle.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Nessie: I think shape-shifting would be pretty cool, especially if you could change into whatever you wanted. The possibilities are really endless. I think it would give a whole new perspective on life.
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Nessie: I hope that readers will appreciate that it’s unique. Living Dead Girl is unusual in that it’s not your typical urban fantasy, and it doesn’t follow any genre conventions. Actually, the paranormal aspect doesn’t come into play until the mid-point of the book. I really wrestled with that when I was writing it, the fear that UF fans would get impatient, but it was the way I envisioned the story and I told it the way it needed to be told. My hope is that UF fans will come into it with an open mind and see it for what it is—Jen’s story. That, and it’s a slightly different take on zombies than we’re used to seeing, as there’s no virus and no dystopian setting.
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Nessie: I’ve been asked this before, and to be honest, I have no idea! I’m so picky about so many little things, and I can’t say that there are any specific actors or actresses that make me say OMG IT MUST BE YOU. I think if it was ever made into a movie, I’d be more concerned that the actors or actresses were able to capture the essence of the characters themselves.
Living Dead Girl by Nessie Strange
Jen MacLellan has hit a dead end…
Jen knows tattooed, blue-haired Jack Norris is trouble the minute he opens his front door. And being a mortician in the avante garde East Side of Providence, Jen has seen a lot. Jack has recruited Jen’s teenage brother Drew to play drums for his less-than-respectable punk band, and Jen has no choice but to follow their gigs to keep her little brother out of trouble. But when Drew goes missing, she finds herself in the awkward position of asking for Jack’s help. Shocked that he agrees, Jen decides she may have misjudged him. Worse, she might even like him.
But when Jen is brutally attacked, she awakens in the hospital where a Sid Vicious look-alike greets her with the news: she’s dead, and he’s the reaper assigned to take her away. Yeah, not so much. Refusing to leave, Jen’s spirit watches helplessly as her loved ones suffer, powerless to ease her family’s grief or prevent the police from accusing Jack of her murder. Desperate to help them, Jen convinces the reaper to bring her back. But reanimating corpses isn’t as easy as it looks, and neither is finding a killer before it’s too late…
Release Date: January 17, 2014
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Nessie for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Nessie Strange and her books, please visit her Goodreads page.
Q+A with Nessie Strange
EJ: When did you begin writing?
Nessie: I started writing at a very young age—I can remember coming up with stories when I was in grade school and receiving praise for my imagination. Having always been an avid reader, I guess it felt natural for me to want to craft my own stories. It wasn’t until my early twenties, however, when I finished my first novel, that I thought of trying to publish my work.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Nessie: I could probably blame my family for that, haha. I can remember my dad watching horror movies and those monster movies from the 1950’s when I was a kid. He also had lots of Stephen King books on the shelf. That being said, I’ve always been interested in things that stretch the imagination, and I think paranormal fits that bill. Quite simply, I write things I would like to read, and I love reading about real world situations that have a touch of the magical or the unknown. With writing fiction you can make anything happen, while you must also make it appear believable enough that a reader will buy into it. Vampires, zombies, werewolves, dragons—it doesn’t really matter what the creature is—our job as writers is to bring them to life. That can be a huge challenge, especially when you want to bring something unique to the table. So much has already been done. How do we as writers make it new? How do we keep it interesting? It’s almost like solving a puzzle.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Nessie: I think shape-shifting would be pretty cool, especially if you could change into whatever you wanted. The possibilities are really endless. I think it would give a whole new perspective on life.
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Nessie: I hope that readers will appreciate that it’s unique. Living Dead Girl is unusual in that it’s not your typical urban fantasy, and it doesn’t follow any genre conventions. Actually, the paranormal aspect doesn’t come into play until the mid-point of the book. I really wrestled with that when I was writing it, the fear that UF fans would get impatient, but it was the way I envisioned the story and I told it the way it needed to be told. My hope is that UF fans will come into it with an open mind and see it for what it is—Jen’s story. That, and it’s a slightly different take on zombies than we’re used to seeing, as there’s no virus and no dystopian setting.
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Nessie: I’ve been asked this before, and to be honest, I have no idea! I’m so picky about so many little things, and I can’t say that there are any specific actors or actresses that make me say OMG IT MUST BE YOU. I think if it was ever made into a movie, I’d be more concerned that the actors or actresses were able to capture the essence of the characters themselves.
Living Dead Girl by Nessie Strange
Jen MacLellan has hit a dead end…
Jen knows tattooed, blue-haired Jack Norris is trouble the minute he opens his front door. And being a mortician in the avante garde East Side of Providence, Jen has seen a lot. Jack has recruited Jen’s teenage brother Drew to play drums for his less-than-respectable punk band, and Jen has no choice but to follow their gigs to keep her little brother out of trouble. But when Drew goes missing, she finds herself in the awkward position of asking for Jack’s help. Shocked that he agrees, Jen decides she may have misjudged him. Worse, she might even like him.
But when Jen is brutally attacked, she awakens in the hospital where a Sid Vicious look-alike greets her with the news: she’s dead, and he’s the reaper assigned to take her away. Yeah, not so much. Refusing to leave, Jen’s spirit watches helplessly as her loved ones suffer, powerless to ease her family’s grief or prevent the police from accusing Jack of her murder. Desperate to help them, Jen convinces the reaper to bring her back. But reanimating corpses isn’t as easy as it looks, and neither is finding a killer before it’s too late…
Release Date: January 17, 2014
Add to Goodreads.
Thank you Nessie for joining us here today at From the Shadows!
To learn more about Nessie Strange and her books, please visit her Goodreads page.
April 20, 2014
Blades of Magic Giveaway Winner
Congratulations Grace Z. the winner of our
Blades of Magic Giveaway
at From the Shadows! Grace will receive an ebook copy of BLADES OF MAGIC by Terah Edun.
Thank you to all who entered.
**Winner selected using Random.org**
Thank you to all who entered.
**Winner selected using Random.org**
April 17, 2014
Gift of the Phoenix Excerpt + Giveaway
Today we have a fun excerpt from GIFT OF THE PHOENIX by Donna Cook and a giveaway!
Gift of the Phoenix by Donna Cook.
When three strangers are brought together by the discovery of a common enemy, they must fight to keep the magic of the Phoenix out of dangerous hands before their world is destroyed forever. The Three must learn to unite in spite of what separates them, and unlock the magic of three stones that seem to harm as much as they help. But uniting will not be easy for Nicolai, the simple peasant with a powerful secret; Marcellus, the warrior prince who’s no longer heir to the throne; and Corren, a gifted wizard whose ambitions threaten to ruin them all.
Full of magic, mystery, and a touch of romance, Gift of the Phoenix is an epic fantasy that takes the reader deep into the heart of a wondrous world and the three men destined to defend it.
Release Date: September 19, 2012
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Add to Goodreads.
Excerpt
The man’s eyes narrowed and he leaned in. “Have you ever seen the waters swallow an island?”
“What?” Nicolai asked.
He pointed to what Nicolai knew to be the Pearl and Crescent Islands, only a few miles out from the coast. They were uninhabitable rock for the most part, notable only because one island was shaped like a crescent moon while the other circular shaped island sat within its gulf. Only Nicolai didn’t see two islands. He saw only the crescent-shaped island.
“What happened?” Nicolai asked.
“I’ll tell you what happened. The Pearl is gone! Sank right into the sea it did!”
Nicolai tried to imagine an island in the cove of Crescent Island’s bay, then tried to imagine that island sinking into the sea.
“My brother says a monster ate it!” the little girl said.
Her mother hushed her. “Don’t listen to his tales.”
“It was an earthquake,” the first man said kindly, bending his reddened face down to her. He put his hands together and slid them back and forth. “The earth shook under the water and made the water come sloshing up over the edge. Just like shaking a cup.” She looked at him skeptically. Nicolai gathered she thought a monster sounded more credible.
“It wasn’t a monster,” said a frail voice. They all looked around to see a withered woman resting on a bench next to the wall. “It wasn’t an earthquake either. What took that island was the same thing that made it.”
Giveaway
Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash.
To enter, use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below. This is a book tour giveaway and winners will be selected by the author or publisher. Giveaway ends April 31, 2014.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!
What did you think of the book excerpt?
Gift of the Phoenix by Donna Cook.
When three strangers are brought together by the discovery of a common enemy, they must fight to keep the magic of the Phoenix out of dangerous hands before their world is destroyed forever. The Three must learn to unite in spite of what separates them, and unlock the magic of three stones that seem to harm as much as they help. But uniting will not be easy for Nicolai, the simple peasant with a powerful secret; Marcellus, the warrior prince who’s no longer heir to the throne; and Corren, a gifted wizard whose ambitions threaten to ruin them all.
Full of magic, mystery, and a touch of romance, Gift of the Phoenix is an epic fantasy that takes the reader deep into the heart of a wondrous world and the three men destined to defend it.
Release Date: September 19, 2012
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Add to Goodreads.
Excerpt
The man’s eyes narrowed and he leaned in. “Have you ever seen the waters swallow an island?”
“What?” Nicolai asked.
He pointed to what Nicolai knew to be the Pearl and Crescent Islands, only a few miles out from the coast. They were uninhabitable rock for the most part, notable only because one island was shaped like a crescent moon while the other circular shaped island sat within its gulf. Only Nicolai didn’t see two islands. He saw only the crescent-shaped island.
“What happened?” Nicolai asked.
“I’ll tell you what happened. The Pearl is gone! Sank right into the sea it did!”
Nicolai tried to imagine an island in the cove of Crescent Island’s bay, then tried to imagine that island sinking into the sea.
“My brother says a monster ate it!” the little girl said.
Her mother hushed her. “Don’t listen to his tales.”
“It was an earthquake,” the first man said kindly, bending his reddened face down to her. He put his hands together and slid them back and forth. “The earth shook under the water and made the water come sloshing up over the edge. Just like shaking a cup.” She looked at him skeptically. Nicolai gathered she thought a monster sounded more credible.
“It wasn’t a monster,” said a frail voice. They all looked around to see a withered woman resting on a bench next to the wall. “It wasn’t an earthquake either. What took that island was the same thing that made it.”
Giveaway
Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash.
To enter, use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below. This is a book tour giveaway and winners will be selected by the author or publisher. Giveaway ends April 31, 2014.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!
What did you think of the book excerpt?
Shadow Fire Book Blast: Excerpt + Giveaway
Kimber Leigh Wheaton, author of SHADOW FIRE, is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal cash. Keep reading for a chance to win!
Shadow Fire Book Blast
Shadow Fire (The Light Chronicles #1) by Kimber Leigh Wheaton.
Ashlyn – a free-spirited teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when the village elders honor her with a perilous quest to recover a stolen relic.
Zane – a jaded mercenary, torn by his undeniable desire for Ashlyn and the dark secret that could make her hate him forever.
Delistaire – a malevolent sorcerer driven by an insatiable lust for power.
All three are bound together by an ancient relic supposedly infused with the power of a Goddess.
Shadow Fire - adventure, passion, secrets, and betrayal
As Ashlyn and Zane race to stay one step ahead of the evil lurking in the shadows, their passions are ignited and their bond strengthens. But will they find the relic before Delistaire? Or has their entire quest been orchestrated from the very beginning by a madman in pursuit of ultimate power?
Release Date: February 24, 2014
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult
Add to Goodreads.
Want to learn more about Shadow Fire? Don't miss our interview with author Kimber Leigh Wheaton coming May 15! Now for a fun book excerpt...
Excerpt
When we reach the deck, everyone stops to stare at me. Trying to ignore the blatant curiosity, I follow Hanna down the aft stairs to the brig. Zane and Taranis occupy cells across from each other. They’re both sitting on the floor glaring daggers at each other. Hanna hands the key to me and slips away. Inching closer, I’m careful to remain out of reach of the two prisoners. As soon as they see me, both men jump up and start talking over each other.
“Ashlyn! How are you feeling, Love?” Zane asks.
“Ashlyn, my fiery angel, you are a ray of sunshine in this dank prison!” Taranis says.
“I’m gonna let you both out, if, and only if, you promise to behave,” I threaten. Both men nod their agreement. “That means no fighting. It also means we never, and I mean never, speak of what happened last night.” When I get no argument, I free Zane first and then Taranis.
“Do you even know what happened last night?” Zane asks, taking me into his arms. I stand rigid in his embrace, not sure if I’m ready to forgive him quite yet.
“Only what Hanna told me,” I snap at him.
“I saved your virtue from this raving lunatic,” Taranis says, pointing at Zane.
“Then you decided to take it for yourself!” Zane yells back at him.
“Did you not hear me?” I shout. Pulling myself from Zane’s embrace, I back up and glare at both men. “No speaking of last night. Period. End of discussion.”
“Yes, Love,” Zane replies.
“Yes, virtuous virgin,” Taranis replies.
“Taranis!” I release a menacing growl, and wince when my right eye starts to tic. “Yes?” he asks, eyes full of mock innocence.
“Run,” Zane says.
Taranis listens to Zane’s advice and takes off up the stairs to the deck with me hot on his heels.
Giveaway
The author is giving away winner's choice of a $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal cash!
Please go to the Rafflecopter form to enter. This is a book blast giveaway. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Giveaway ends May 5, 2014.
Good luck!
What did you think of the book excerpt?
Shadow Fire Book Blast
Shadow Fire (The Light Chronicles #1) by Kimber Leigh Wheaton.
Ashlyn – a free-spirited teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when the village elders honor her with a perilous quest to recover a stolen relic.
Zane – a jaded mercenary, torn by his undeniable desire for Ashlyn and the dark secret that could make her hate him forever.
Delistaire – a malevolent sorcerer driven by an insatiable lust for power.
All three are bound together by an ancient relic supposedly infused with the power of a Goddess.
Shadow Fire - adventure, passion, secrets, and betrayal
As Ashlyn and Zane race to stay one step ahead of the evil lurking in the shadows, their passions are ignited and their bond strengthens. But will they find the relic before Delistaire? Or has their entire quest been orchestrated from the very beginning by a madman in pursuit of ultimate power?
Release Date: February 24, 2014
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult
Add to Goodreads.
Want to learn more about Shadow Fire? Don't miss our interview with author Kimber Leigh Wheaton coming May 15! Now for a fun book excerpt...
Excerpt
When we reach the deck, everyone stops to stare at me. Trying to ignore the blatant curiosity, I follow Hanna down the aft stairs to the brig. Zane and Taranis occupy cells across from each other. They’re both sitting on the floor glaring daggers at each other. Hanna hands the key to me and slips away. Inching closer, I’m careful to remain out of reach of the two prisoners. As soon as they see me, both men jump up and start talking over each other.
“Ashlyn! How are you feeling, Love?” Zane asks.
“Ashlyn, my fiery angel, you are a ray of sunshine in this dank prison!” Taranis says.
“I’m gonna let you both out, if, and only if, you promise to behave,” I threaten. Both men nod their agreement. “That means no fighting. It also means we never, and I mean never, speak of what happened last night.” When I get no argument, I free Zane first and then Taranis.
“Do you even know what happened last night?” Zane asks, taking me into his arms. I stand rigid in his embrace, not sure if I’m ready to forgive him quite yet.
“Only what Hanna told me,” I snap at him.
“I saved your virtue from this raving lunatic,” Taranis says, pointing at Zane.
“Then you decided to take it for yourself!” Zane yells back at him.
“Did you not hear me?” I shout. Pulling myself from Zane’s embrace, I back up and glare at both men. “No speaking of last night. Period. End of discussion.”
“Yes, Love,” Zane replies.
“Yes, virtuous virgin,” Taranis replies.
“Taranis!” I release a menacing growl, and wince when my right eye starts to tic. “Yes?” he asks, eyes full of mock innocence.
“Run,” Zane says.
Taranis listens to Zane’s advice and takes off up the stairs to the deck with me hot on his heels.
Giveaway
The author is giving away winner's choice of a $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal cash!
Please go to the Rafflecopter form to enter. This is a book blast giveaway. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Giveaway ends May 5, 2014.
Good luck!
What did you think of the book excerpt?
