E.J. Stevens's Blog, page 88

Dream Cast: Spirit Guide Series

My dream cast for the Spirit Guide Series.

Yuki...























Calvin...






















Emma...






















Simon...






















Who would you choose?

**This was just for fun.  The above images belong to the celebrities featured.**

Guest Author Interview: Stephen Carpenter

Please welcome today's guest author Stephen Carpenter!  Stephen is the author of Killer, and The Grimm Curse.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Stephen:  I began writing in the 7th grade. I was fascinated by Poe, Shakespeare, and popular authors. I began by trying to write plays, then I started writing short stories. But I later gravitated toward writing screenplays, which is how I've made a living.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Stephen:  I came to the fantasy/paranormal genre through my interest in Stephen King on my own, and later, through my son, after reading so much of Harry Potter, Twilight, etc.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Stephen:  As pedestrian as it sounds, my one supernatural talent of choice would be the ability to stop time. I would get a lot more done, and be more rested, and thus, better looking. But mainly, I would be able to live out the fantasy of the famous Twilight Zone in which Burgess Meredith finds the stopwatch that stops time at will.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Stephen:  I hope people like The Grimm Curse (Once Upon A Time Is Now) because they can find a contemporary re-telling of the famous fairy tales we all grew up with. It's one thing to think of Little Red Riding Hood in a forest long, long ago...it's quite another to think of her as a high school girl in a red hoodie who is stalked by a football player from the Wolverines, from a rival high school. It's all about reinvention.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Stephen:   I would cast unknown actors for the simple reason that I am tired of the same old faces all the time. Aren't we all?























The Grimm Curse (Once Upon A Time Is Now) by Stephen Carpenter.

Fifteen year-old Jake Grimm is the last living descendant of the Brothers Grimm, who wrote the famous fairy tales in the 1800's. But Jake grew up with foster parents in Los Angeles, never knowing his true destiny until he ran away from his unhappy foster home, to the place of his birth--Woodland--a small town nestled deep in a Northwestern forest.  In Woodland, Jake discovers that the famous fairy tales are all real, and they are happening today. And Jake, as the last living Grimm, is the only one who can stop the witches, big bad wolves, and evil stepmothers who are all alive and well, and about to wreak havoc in the small town of Woodland, following the death of Jake's great-uncle Eustace.  But these fairy tales creatures are not like those in the old stories. Woodland is a modern place, and the creatures Jake battles seem like completely normal, modern people--to everyone but Jake. Only Jake can see them for what they really are, and, together with his friend and apprentice, Madeleine, he must fight to prevent the evil that is all around the unsuspecting teens at Woodland High.

Thank you Stephen for joining us here today at From the Shadows !

1-11-11 Spirit Storm Release Day!

Today, 1-11-11, is the official print release of Spirit Storm by E.J. Stevens.  Spirit Storm is the second book in the Spirit Guide Series and takes readers on a suspenseful, paranormal adventure filled with thrilling mystery and young adult romance.























Spirit Storm (Spirit Guide, #2) by E.J. Stevens.

Spirits of the Dead are coming...

Yuki is about to face an army of lost souls on Samhain, the night of Halloween, when the spirits of the dead roam free. Yuki will need all the help she can get from her friends. But will Calvin be there for her when she needs him the most? 

Available in ebook editions at Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and other fine retailers.

Now available in print at Amazon and other fine retailers.  Available at international retailers later this month.

Sacred Oaks Press
Print edition:
ISBN13: 9780984247530
ISBN: 098424753X
Kindle edition:
ASIN: B004G5ZUB4
Other ebook editions:
ISBN-13: 2940011153006
ISBN: 0011153008

Read a free excerpt of Spirit Storm at Goodreads.

Check out the official Spirit Guide series website for giveaway updates and more!

Coming October 2011... Legend of Witchtrot Road (Spirit Guide, #3) by E.J. Stevens.

Guest Author Interview: William O'Brien

Please welcome today's guest author William O'Brien!  William is the author of Peter: A Darkened Fairytale.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

William:  Articles - 20 years ago.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

William:   I have always had a strong interest in the paranormal- it made sense to write a magical book.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

William:  Hmmm... Maybe I already have supernatural gifts.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
 
William:   The book has a very surreal and magical storyline with many unusual characters. For lovers of strange fairytales- A MUST READ!!!

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

William:  Very difficult to answer - there are so many excellent actors & actresses. Anthony Hopkins and Christina Ricci would be wonderful as they are so versatile.























 Peter: A Darkened Fairytale by William O'Brien.

In a quiet sleepy place nestle a few tiny houses, a bridge, and a handful of shops.  Unknown to Peter, on one particular morning - the morning of his tenth birthday will reveal more than just the usual collection of presents.  Stumbling into a secret place, he travels through many hidden worlds and embarks upon a fantastic journey.  Hally the lifelongian, Arnica the maiden, Wind Sail the white witch and a beautiful elf called Slip will all guide him on his quest.  Searching through the Purple Forest, Peter makes haste to rescue a friend, which proves more difficult than Peter could ever imagine.  The gentle tale soon finds its way into some very dark places as the evil Cirinian and her followers try to thwart Peter's progress. Guards, ghosts, spirits and vampirism add to the unknown dimensions that Peter encounters.

A creation of surreal places and characters, Peter: A Darkened Fairytale is an exciting and imaginative fantasy trip from the beginning to end.


Thank you William for joining us here today at From the Shadows !

To learn more about William O'Brien and his books, please visit his website.

Spirit Storm Sneak Peek: Spirit Guide

In anticipation of January 11, 2011, the official print release of Spirit Storm, I wanted to share with you a bit of Spirit Storm trivia.

A new spirit guide is revealed in Spirit Storm (Spirit Guide, #2) by E.J. Stevens.  Can you guess which character and what spirit animal? ;)



Also, don't miss the Spirit Guide Series New Year's Giveaway here at From the Shadows !

Guest Author Interview: Kevin James Breaux

Please welcome today's guest author Kevin James Breaux!  Kevin is the author of Soul Born.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Kevin:  I started writing on weekends back in 1998. It was not until around 2006 that I started writing almost every day, which is totally necessary for authors. In 2007 I sold my first short story, a zombie tale called DEAD MAN'S PARTY, to an online web magazine for $50. I was so excited! That was the moment I finally realized that people truly liked my work.

For the past year and a half I have been writing full time. I am another victim of the bad economy, unable to get back into my former career, so I have focused my energy on writing and it has really paid off.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Kevin:   Some of my favorite movies and TV shows are from the paranormal genre. When I was in college I was a huge fan of White Wolf Publishing's World of Darkness books, especially Vampire the Masquerade. Back then I was watching Forever Knight and playing Vampire RPG games, while reading Anne Rice. Once I felt I was truly ready I wrote my first Urban Fantasy novel in 2008. Although SOUL BORN, my debut novel, is an epic fantasy, I hope to develop a series of urban fantasy novels as well. I would love to paint an entire world of paranormal beings.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
 
Kevin:  It's hard not to pick a Vampire with all the cool ones on TV these days. I mean Spike, Eric, Damon, these guys get all the girls! Like, I can yell "Sookie!" with the best of them! Other than that, I think the ability to control time would be great: slow it down, speed it up, stop and rewind it. You could relive you favorite moments, and speed by the bad ones.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Kevin:  SOUL BORN allows the reader to take the first steps into a new world and take the journey, along with the characters, as that world comes out of a dark age and moves into one steeped with fantasy. Some of my first readers have called the novel "brutal" and "thrilling" which might stem from my background writing horror. Soul Born was never intended to be a dark fantasy, but has some elements in that sub genre. I think Soul Born has a lot to offer to a large variety of readers. It has a love story, and love triangle, along with bloody action and large battle scenes. Most of my work is character drive so I promise you will get to know the people in Soul Born and will end up liking or hating them.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Kevin:   I love this question and blogged about this very topic the other week. I have an art school background and I visualize all my writing as movies in my mind. The leading characters in Soul Born: Opal the mage, Tala the elf and Karn the warrior would be played by Bijou Phillips, Kelly Brook, and Eric Etebari.

Bijou looks just like I imagined Opal, and she has even acted like her in former movies. I love the wickedness of Bijou's look, she super pretty and seems to have a bad side. Kelly Brook, if you read about her, claims to be very athletic, yet has a very voluptuous, pre-raphaelite style build. Tala is just that, an alluring beauty that can fight if need be. Eric Etebari and Karn could be separated at birth. Have you ever seen the Witchblade TV show, from years ago, that is how Karn looks and acts. I cannot imagine anyone other than Eric in that role. You hear me Hollywood, no way would Tom Cruise play Karn! No way!!!























Soul Born by Kevin James Breaux.

All Opal wanted was to be respected as a wielder of magic, but her teachers passed her over time and time again. When a mysterious warlord embarks on a conquest to destroy the lands of Illyia Opal seizes an opportunity to step out from the shadows of her instructors and take her rightful spot among them.  Tala, an alluring young elf, was banished from her tribe, hunted and nearly killed by the beasts that dwell in the deep forests, but more than anything else she is a survivor. Joining forces with an ancient elemental power Tala finds herself in the center of an unrelenting human war. She never wanted any of this.  Flesh like leather and bone as strong as steel Karn, a veteran from the first kingdom to fall, is fueled by vengeance. While pushing ever headlong into battle Karn begins to recall memories of another life; ghosts that haunt his dreams.

Through death of soul, their world is born.

Thank you Kevin for joining us here today at From the Shadows !

To learn more about Kevin James Breaux and his books, please visit his website.

Yes Annabelle: There are such things as Vampires

Looking for a paranormal young adult series for middle-grade readers?  My new middle-grade paranormal series, Raven's Gate Manor, will be making it's debut later this year!

The first book in the series, Yes Annabelle: There are such things as Vampires, is a fun-filled tale of mystery, family secrets, and things that go bump in the night.























Yes Annabelle:  There are such things as Vampires (Raven's Gate Manor, #1) by E.J. Stevens

Join young Annabelle on this middle-grade adventure as she begins to unlock the secrets of Raven's Gate Manor.

Yes Annabelle on Goodreads.
ISBN-13:  9780984247554
ISBN-10:  0984247556
Releasing 2011

Character Interview: Eliven of The Gods of Dream

Please welcome today's guest author Daniel Arenson and special guest Eliven from Daniel's new book The Gods of Dream !

Daniel:  Today I'm interviewing Eliven, one of the deadliest creatures
from fantasy novel The Gods of Dream.  She's a demon.  She's evil.
She's sexy.  She's married to Phobetor, the God of Nightmare, and
plans to help him destroy the land of Dream.  Welcome, Eliven!

Eliven:  Where are the kittens?  I was told there would be kittens to eat.

Daniel:  Sorry, no kittens.  We only told you that so you'd agree to
the interview.

Eliven:  How delightfully evil and conniving.  I'd kill you on the
spot, were I not so impressed with the ruse.  I might still kill you
later.

Daniel:  Tell us about yourself, Eliven.

Eliven:  What do you mean?  I'm Eliven!  I'm the Queen of Nightmare.
I'm a legendary terror.  Everybody knows me.

Daniel:  Everybody in the lands of Dream and Nightmare, yes.  But
we're doing this interview for humans on Earth.  They're still
unfamiliar with you.

Eliven:  Oh, the earthlings will know me soon enough.  After my
husband and I destroy Dream, we'll go after Earth.  Soon all the
mortals will dream of me every night… and wake up drenched in cold
sweat, screaming in terror.  Dream will fall in no time, don't you
doubt it.  And Earth is next.  But for now--fine.  I will tell you
about myself.  I'm thousands of years old, but I don't look a day over
twenty.

Daniel:  You've aged well.

Eliven:  A diet of kittens does wonders.  For those who haven't yet
seen me in their nightmares, I'll describe myself.  I have deep red
skin.  I have sharp claws and fangs.  My wings are wide and leathery,
and when I flap them, they cause storms. My hair is woven of
dragonfire, and my tail can knock over a mountain with one flick.

Daniel:  You're very powerful.  But you're still only
second-in-command of Nightmare.  Have you ever wanted to rule
Nightmare yourself?

Eliven:  Oh, I love my husband.  You know him as Phobetor, the God of
Nightmare.  To me he's Phobey, my beloved.  I worship him, as will all
of you soon.  Soon you will all know his strength, as I do.

Daniel:  You're a devoted wife.  Is Phobetor a devoted husband?

Eliven:  Well… I love my Phobey.  But I admit that when he talks about
Moonmist, that girl from Dream that he loves, I get jealous.  So
jealous I could kill him and her!  Why can't Phobetor love only me?
Why must he also love another woman?  Why?!  Moonmist is even on the
cover of The Gods of Dream.  I would have made better cover art.  I'm
much more beautiful, aren't I?  Excuse me.  I need to go… smash a few
boulders now, and kill a few defenseless animals.

Daniel:  You seem upset.  So Phobetor is not loyal to you.

Eliven:  Look.  Why are you talking so much about my husband?  This
interview is about me.  Let's talk about how beautiful I am.  Or how
deadly I am.  Or… let's talk about how soon, I'll be the Queen of
Dream as well as Nightmare.

Daniel:  Why do you want to rule Dream, too?  Isn't Nightmare enough?

Eliven:  Dream has always belonged to us.  Did you know that Phobetor
is from Dream?  He was banished.  They tossed him out.  But Dream is
his birthright.  I, as his queen, will rule it beside him.  Dream will
be ours.  Once we take over, we'll get rid of their trees, and
waterfalls, and sandy beaches.  We'll kill all the fairies and
animals.  Dream will become a province of Nightmare, our empire – a
land of fire, ash, and terror.  A land that will worship me.  And then
earthlings will have no more good dreams.  They'll dream about nothing
but me – beautiful and terrible.

Daniel:  I certainly hope that doesn't happen.  Is there no way to stop you?

Eliven:  Well… the gods of Dream think those kids Cade and Tasha can
stop us.  But really.  Cade and Tasha?  They're only humans.  They're
weak.  They're scared.  There's no way they can defeat me and
Phobetor.  So let them try.  Let them go on their little quest against
us.  It'll be fun to kill them.

Daniel:  Readers will have to pick up The Gods of Dream to see if Cade
and Tasha succeed.

Eliven:  No point.  There's no way Cade and Tasha can stop Nightmare.
But sure.  If any readers want to find out what I already know, let
them read The Gods of Dream.  They'll only read how I'll kill Cade and
Tasha, probably right on the first page.

Daniel:  Would you also like to read the book?

Eliven:  Read books?  I eat books.  And kittens.  They're delicious.
Now I'm hungry.  I'm going to look for food.  Goodbye, weak mortal.
See you in your nightmares.

Daniel:  Goodbye, Eliven, and thank you for this strange but
enlightening interview.























The Gods of Dream by Daniel Arenson.

Discover the world of dreams and nightmares....

What are dreams? Some think they are figments of our mind. But what if they were wisps of a distant, magical world… a world you could visit?  Twins Cade and Tasha discover Dream, the land dreams come from. It is a realm of misty forests, of verdant mountains, of mysterious gods who send dreams into our sleep. Cade and Tasha seek solace there; they are refugees, scarred and haunted with memories of war. In Dream, they can forget their past, escape the world, and find joy.  Phobetor, the god of Nightmare, was outcast from Dream. Now he seeks to destroy it. He sends his monsters into Dream, and Cade and Tasha find their sanctuary threatened, dying. To save it, the twins must overcome their past, journey into the heart of Nightmare, and face Phobetor himself.  Discover a world of light and darkness, of hope and fear, of dreams and nightmares. Discover The Gods of Dream. 

Thank you Daniel and Eliven for joining us here today at From the Shadows !

To learn more about Daniel Arenson and his books, please visit his website and don't miss his recent author interview here.

Giveaway Winners!

The winner of the Bite Before Christmas: Holidays Are Hell Giveaway is Rae of In the Forest !  Congratulations!  Rae will receive a copy of Holidays Are Hell by Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Marjorie M. Liu, and Vicki Pettersson from The Book Depository.

The Spirit Storm eBook + Swag Giveaway has also come to an end.  Congratulations to Durao the winner of the eBook copy of Spirit Storm by E.J. Stevens!  Jennifer of Book Noise and mbreakfield of Book Lover and Procrastinator will receive She Smells the Dead bookmarks and Spirit Storm postcards!

Thank you to all who entered!  Didn't win?  Don't miss these great giveaways...

Enter the Spirit Guide Series New Year's Giveaway for signed books and swag here.  Enter the Lace and Leather ebook giveaway here.

**All giveaway winners selected using Random.org**

Spirit Guide Series New Year's Giveaway

Happy New Year!  To celebrate we are giving away a fabulous Spirit Guide Series prize pack.  One lucky winner will receive signed copies of She Smells the Dead and Spirit Storm, the first two books in the Spirit Guide Series by E.J. Stevens, Spirit Guide Series postcards, and an "I Smell Dead People" t-shirt (size XL).

**Spirit Guide Series New Year's Giveaway**

To enter, please leave a comment on this post including your email address (so we may contact you if you win).  This giveaway is US only (sorry!).  Giveaway ends January 16th midnight EST.

**Dung beetle plushie not included in the giveaway.**