Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 472

Cover Reveal What He Really Feels by Lisa Suzanne

What He Really FeelsHe Feels Trilogy Book 2Lisa Suzanne
Book Description:
He told her How He Really Feels and had his heart broken. Now Travis Miller is trying to move on from the greatest heartbreak of his life by getting out of town. But two nights before his big move to California, Travis meets a mystery woman who grabs hold of his broken heart and gives him hope that he can piece it back together. Will Travis ever figure out What He Really Feels, or will he be stuck on his first love forever? Will he find his happily ever after? What He Really Feels contains some adult situations and is intended for mature readers.

How He Really FeelsHe Feels TrilogyBook One
Lisa Suzanne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN-10: 1489523863ISBN-13: 978-1489523860ASIN: B00CVEMV1E
Number of pages: 318Word Count: 91,598
Cover Artist: Humblenations.com
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/Xa2r9quZzEI
Kindle  Paperback
Book Description:
Julianne Becker is desperately in love with her boss, Nick Matthews. She has daydreamed about him since the day she first met him a year earlier, but she is firmly stuck in the friend-zone until New Year’s Eve, when the game completely changes and she finds out how Nick really feels about her.
They embark on a sexy affair that’s everything Julianne ever dreamed of... except she can’t tell anyone about it. What will happen if anyone finds out about their secret relationship? And how will her lifelong best friend, Travis Miller, react when Julianne begins a relationship with someone who isn’t him?
How He Really Feels is a novel that explores relationships and love between coworkers and friends. It contains some adult situations and is intended for mature readers.
 About the Author:
Lisa Suzanne is a high school English teacher who lives at home in Arizona with her amazing husband and adorable yellow lab.
Web: http://www.authorlisasuzanne.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/AuthorLisaSuzanne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaSuzanne
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaSuzanne24

Prologue Reveal for Death Toll: Ghost Wars Saga Book Two By Robert Poulin

Today we have a couple special treats- 
first of all you can grab 
Wail of the Banshees for free at Amazon

And we have the reveal of the prologue of Death Toll the upcoming Book Two in the Ghost Wars Saga by Robert Poulin

Prologue Death Toll by Robert Poulin
Death Toll Back Cover Blurb
What started out as a routine call led to so much more…
My name is Veronika Kane, and I’m the Captain of the Ghost Watch in the reborn city of Shadow Philadelphia. After we disposed of the city’s previous master and his minions, things were looking up, but in war things are never that easy. A routine call with Detective Frank Cooper blew the cover off of an elaborate scheme to plunge the city of brotherly love into chaos. When Necromancers, Were creatures, and the horrors of Chaos come together it can’t mean anything good. 
With new and old enemies joining forces against us, I’m going to need all the help I can get. Lucky for me, my old friend Frank Cooper will be there to lend a hand along with Brianna, a strong willed were-ferret, and the stormy eyed wizard Nathaniel Carter. I just hope it will be enough to save everyone.
This time, our enemies aren’t just attacking us in Limbo; this time, they are taking the battle to the streets of the living world and its unknowing citizens. If the Old Ones rise, I don’t think there will be anything anyone can do to stop them. 
My name is Veronika Kane, and this war is far from over.

Wail of the Banshees
Ghost Wars Saga Book OneRobert Poulin
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Publisher: Ghost Watch PublishingDate of Publication: June 19, 2013
Number of pages: 350 printWord Count: 100, 471
Cover Artist: Hannah Carr
Amazon    
Short description
A murdered college student must help the Philadelphia Police Department track down the serial killer responsible for her death and then lead an improbable rebellion against the powers that be in the ghost realm of Limbo.
My name is Veronika Kane and dying, dying was just the beginning.

How was I supposed to know that getting smashed on my 21st birthday would lead me to becoming the 9th victim of a serial killer that’s been stalking Philadelphia’s streets for months? Now I’m a ghost and unlife is pretty scary. Reapers, wraiths, ghouls, gargoyles: all of the monsters that I thought were storybook characters are real! On top of it all, the powers that be in the ghost world want to enslave me and use me in their own diabolical plot to manipulate the people of the living world. Too bad I didn’t turn out to be the kind of ghost they wanted me to be, and I’m not about to let them turn me into one of their puppets. These ghosts are responsible for my murder and the murders of eight other women.

A rebellion is coming, and the ghosts that run this place are about to find out just how big a mistake they made when they had me killed.

My name is Veronika Kane and being murdered isn't the end of my story.

Wail of the Banshees is an Urban Fantasy Novel and the first book in the exciting Ghost Wars saga which features paranormal horror and action set in living Philadelphia and the ghostly world of Limbo.

About the Author:
Robert Poulin was born and raised in the New England state of Connecticut. After spending his late teenage years in Boca Raton Florida, Robert moved to upstate New York where he lived with his uncle Wilbrod Poulin and attended the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.
After earning a Bachelor's in Political Science and a Master's in Teaching, Robert went back to Florida where he taught Social Studies for a few years. After returning to Northern New York, Robert took a job with the North Country Center for Independence: a disability rights and advocacy organizations.
Robert has worked for NCCI for thirteen years and is now the Executive Director.
Wail of the Banshees is Robert's first novel; he has been a huge fan of fantasy and science fiction since second grade when he discovered The Hobbit. Urban fantasy in particular has become Robert's favored genre in the past decade.
Robert has been legally blind since infancy, but thanks to a mom that encouraged independence, hard work, and a healthy dose of dreaming, the disability has mostly just been an inconvenience. Robert is currently in the editorial process with his second novel, Death Toll, and is writing Echoes of Madness the third novel in the Veronika Kane saga.
http://ghostwatchpublishing.com/
https://www.facebook.com/urbanfantasypublisher
https://twitter.com/FuryMaster
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7161226.Robert_Poulin

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Interview with Judy Serrano

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to write in this particular genre?
I am a mom and a substitute teacher.  I wrote my first series, “The Easter’s Lilly Series,” when I went back to school to get my bachelor’s. I was suddenly inspired by all the writing classes I was taking, to write a novel. My first series was a gangster novel about the Mexican Mafia. So, when I started writing “Linked,” I thought I would do another gangster book. Then suddenly, the book took on a life of its own and BAM! Vampires.
What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires, that fascinates you so much?
Vampires are mysterious and sexy, almost tortured souls. I love how many vampire love stories portray vamps as generally good people.

Please tell us about your latest release.
My latest release is called “Linked.” It features a substitute teacher who falls in love with a married man who happens to be involved in organized crime. He also happens to be a vampire, both facts she is not aware of at first.
After a series of unfortunate events, she meets Heathcliff Vanderpool, who falls madly in love with her. This book is about soul mates. Literally. When a vampire links to a human, they become soul mates in the truest sense, and there is no turning back.
Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions?
Actually, so far all of my main characters have a first name that links to a flower. Not sure why I started it out that way, but it has just cascaded from there. I also try to pick names that match the time period and the culture.
Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
Yes. Charlie Cross was probably my biggest challenge. He was so very likable in the beginning. In an attempt to make Heathcliff the more likable character, Charlie had to become slightly unfavorable. It was a challenge to turn his personality towards a darker direction.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
That’s an easy one. I love Dante. Charlie’s brother, Dante, stole my heart. I don’t plan out my books; my characters sort of take me on a journey. Dante came out of nowhere and stole the show. He will be featured in book two of “The Linked Series.”
Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?
I do not plan one thing out in my books. I sit down at my MacBook with a basic idea and my characters create themselves. Sometimes they even surprise me.
Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?
My main characters always have a little something that is taken from me. Lilly in “Easter’s Lilly” is a singer, as I used to be when I was young(er). She is also blond, Irish, and a waitress. I waited tables when I was young as well. Daphne is a substitute teacher, which is my current profession aside from all my writing. The similarities end there, but I do tend to carry something of my own into my characters.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
I’m almost afraid to jinx myself, but no I have never suffered from writer’s block. I have so many story ideas that I have to write them down so I won’t forget about them. I often wake up in the middle of the night when I am actively writing a new novel. Sometimes I think my publisher thinks I’m crazy because of all the ideas I have. I hope it continues this way for as long as I am able to write.
Do you write in different genres?
Yes, I write in different genres. I certainly have a recognizable style that carries over from series to series, but I have three different genres right now. “Easter’s Lilly” is romantic suspense, “Linked” is paranormal romance, and the book I’m working on now is a combination of thriller/urban fantasy/paranormal romance. I love to write about all kinds of different things.But like I said before. I usually start with a very basic idea and the voices in my head tend to speak for themselves.

What can readers expect next from you?
There will be a book 5 of Easter’s Lilly coming out September 19th, called “The Lost Years.” Book 6 will be out in 2014. Book 2 of “Linked” will be out sometime in 2014. I have a new series called “Ivy Vines, Visions.” I haven’t decided what to do with that one yet, but it is ready to go when I have a chance to release it.
Where can readers find you on the web?
My website is www.JudySerrano.com
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4792103.Judy_Serrano
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorJSerrano
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudySerranoAuthor
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Judy+Serrano&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3AJudy+Serrano
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
Here is a teaser from the book:
“Mr. Cross,” I started, leaning into him so that no one else could hear me. “What are you doing here?”“It’s nice to see you too, Miss Foster.”“I think we’re passed the formalities now, don’t you?” I asked.“Daphne, then.” My name played so softly on his lips that I shuddered, and embarrassingly so. He smiled. “Then you must call me Charlie.” He kissed the backs of my hands. “I see I already have a positive effect on you.”“Don’t read too much into it,” I told him. “It’s just a chill.”“Or maybe a warm sensation,” he whispered, putting his finger on my face and tracing it down to my lips. I swallowed hard and I know my face was yet again bright red.I looked over at Janice who was having a pleasant conversation with his brother. Then I looked back at him. “Does your wife know you frequent schools to pick up teachers?” I asked.“You mean substitute teachers,” he answered. I stuck my tongue out at him. “I like when you do that.”“Stop it,” I whispered harshly. “Look. I’m sure I’m not the type of woman that you’re used to. Especially since I know first hand that you’re married, and I think I already mentioned that I don’t date married men.”The waitress showed up with four shots of tequila. I looked at him in amazement. “Really?” I asked.“Come on, Daphne, let go a little,” Janice added, shining like a brand new diamond. We downed the shots and Charlie got a little too close. “I find you irresistible, Daphne.” He leaned in so that he was almost whispering in my ear. “I don’t know what it is about you, but I must have you.” He took my hand and brought it to his cheek. “What is it that you do, Mr. Cross?” I asked.“I thought we were past formalities.”“Charlie,” I corrected. “Sorry. What do you do for a living?”“I’m a businessman,” he answered. “Acquisitions are my specialty.”“And what exactly do you acquire?” I asked. “And please do not say women.”“I do not buy and sell women,” he answered, his voice getting suddenly harsh. “But when I see something I want, I go after it until it yields to me.” I pulled my hand away from his face and looked at him. He was most unsettling. “You think I’m just going to fall right into your arms, don’t you, Charlie.”
“Not into my arms, necessarily,” he answered. “But certainly into my bed.”

August 19 InterviewPembroke Sinclair.  www.pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
August 19 SpotlightKelly P's Blog http://kellyatx.blogspot.com/
August 20 Interview
The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom
www.creativelygreen.blogspot.com

August 21 SpotlightVictoria's Gossiphttp://victoriasgossip.com/blog/
August 22 SpotlightSapphyria's Book Reviewshttp://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/
August 23 Guest blogShare My Destinyhttp://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com
August 26 Interview and reviewtanyas book nook, http://tanyasbooknook.blogspot.com
August 27 InterviewFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
August 28 Guest blogRoxanne’ Realmwww.roxannerealm.blogspot.com
August 29 Spotlight and reviewFaerie Tale Bookswww.faerietalebooks.org
August 29 Spotlight and reviewMichelle's Paranormal Vault of Bookshttp://concisebookreviewsbymichelle.blogspot.com
August 30 Guest blogBookwormBridgette's Worldhttp://bookwormbridgette.blogspot.com
August 30 SpotlightWords of Wisdom from The Scarf Princesshttp://wowfromthescarfprincess.blogspot.com
September 2 Spotlight and reviewPenny For them...http://pennytforthem1.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/tour
September 2 reviewMousehead & Taleshttp://www.mouseheadandtales.weebly.com


Linked
Linked Series Book OneJudy Serrano
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Black Rose WritingDate of Publication: July 18th, 2013
Number of pages: 263Word Count: 81,403
Cover Artist: Danielle Barnard
Amazon    BN
Book Description:
Daphne Foster is a substitute teacher stuck in an English class, waiting for that dreaded parent-teacher conference. With much preparation and anxiety, she encounters the unforgettable Charlie Cross. His charm and good looks, win her over but rumors of his involvement with organized crime make his continued disappearances disturbing.
In walks Heathcliff Vanderpool, creating a love triangle of unusual sorts. Unknown to Daphne, Heathcliff and Charlie are old friends: Older than she could have imagined. With Charlie away on business, Daphne and Heathcliff discover a passion between them lying beneath the surface. As their souls link, pulling away from Charlie becomes next to impossible. Will his involvement in organized crime consume them both before she’s able to get free? When you become “linked,” the choice may not be your own.

About the Author:
Judy Serrano graduated from Texas A&M University, Commerce with a BA in English. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Dallas Area Romance Authors.
She is a substitute teacher at the local school district and writes for various on-line publications. She is the author of Easter's Lilly, Brother Number Three, Relatively Close and Memoirs of a Mobster, which are romantic thrillers and part of The Easter’s Lilly Series.
Judy currently resides in Texas with her husband, four children (all boys) and five dogs. She is also a singer/songwriter in her spare time.
www.JudySerrano.com
www.JudySerranoAuthor.com
http://twitter.com/#!/authorjserrano 

https://www.facebook.com/JudySerranoAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4792103.Judy_Serrano
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/judy-serrano/2b/b07/474/

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Cover Reveal Her Wicked Angel by Felicity Heaton

Her Wicked Angel Her Angel Romance Series Book 6
Felicity Heaton
The King of Demons and the Devil’s right hand man, Asmodeus is a dark angel born of evil and created for destruction. When his master orders him to venture into the mortal world and retrieve a female for him, he seizes the chance to leave Hell for the first time, uncaring of what the Devil has planned for her… until he sets eyes on the most beautiful woman he has ever seen—a female who awakens new feelings within his black heart, unleashing passion so intense that it controls him and desire he cannot resist.


He will not let his wretched master have her. She will belong to him.
Liora is a witch with a bad reputation and an obsession with fighting demons. A mission gone wrong sees her sent to Paris to cool off, but when a dark and deadly warrior with a gaze of golden fire lands in her life, she ends up burning hotter than Hell for the wicked angel. Nothing will stand between her and the immense, forbidding male. Not her cousin. Not Asmodeus’s sworn enemy and twin, Apollyon. And certainly not the Devil.
Caught up in a tempest of danger and soul-searing passion, can they survive against the odds and seize their forever after?
Her Wicked Angel is due for release on September 21st2013

               Books in the Her Angel romance series:
Her Dark Angel (Her Angel romance series book 1) – FREE on Amazon Kindle, Kobo and Apple iBooksHer Fallen Angel (Her Angel romance series book 2)Her Warrior Angel (Her Angel romance series book 3)Her Guardian Angel (Her Angel romance series book 4)Her Demonic Angel (Her Angel romance series book 5)

About Felicity Heaton:
Felicity Heaton writes passionate paranormal romance books as Felicity Heaton and F E Heaton. In her books she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons!
If you're a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.
If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, Felicity Heaton’s best selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series she writes as F E Heaton or any of her stand alone vampire romance books she writes as Felicity Heaton. Or if you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try Felicity Heaton’s new Vampire Erotic Theatre series.
In 2011, five of her six paranormal romance books received Top Pick awards from Night Owl Reviews, Forbidden Blood was nominated as Best PNR Vampire Romance 2011 at The Romance Reviews, and many of her releases received five star reviews from numerous websites. In 2013, Heart of Darkness was a finalist in the paranormal romance category at the Epic Ebook Awards.
If you want to know more about Felicity, or want to get in touch, you can find her at the following places:
Website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk Blog: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/blog/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/felicityheaton Twitter: http://twitter.com/felicityheaton Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/felicityheaton

What Kind of Sicko Reads Horror? by John Mulhall

I recently took part in an unofficial mini-reunion with some high school friends, mostly people I’d known from my choir days, many of whom I hadn’t seen in quite a few years. It was wonderful to reconnect with them again and learn about their lives. And inevitably, as one would expect, our conversations would meander through the common catch-up clichés: are you married, do you have kids, where are you living, what do you do for work? Typically, when we’d get to that last one, they would get very excited to hear that someone they knew had written a novel – one that they could actually buy and hold in their hands – and that I was doing book tours and conventions to promote it.
The expected follow-up question would then arise: “What is it about?”
               Now I, like many contemporary horror writers have been advised against labeling our books “horror” because, well…horror doesn’t really sell as well these days; not like it used to anyway; “paranormal” and “dark fantasy” are popular sub-genres that have arisen to target specific elements of what used to be the “horror” catch-all.  And so, obediently, I answer, “It’s a supernatural thriller.”
“Hmmm”, they’d most often reply, nodding cordially, obviously not truly understanding what exactly these words meant strung together. Is it a mystery? A crime novel? One person even said, “So…it’s a religious book?” Most of the time, when I’d say “supernatural thriller,” they’d just look at me for a moment as if I wasn’t done speaking, hoping that I’d fill in the gap. And then I’d add contritely, “It’s a horror book.”
Ohhhhhhh.
And then came – often, but not always – the raised eyebrows. And the follow up questions, chiefly amongst them being: “So, why did you choose to write a horror book?”
While the reaction is not nearly as profound as it might’ve been twenty or thirty years ago, there is indeed a strange bias at work. Normal people suddenly become amateur psychologists, asking probing follow up questions, attempting to ascertain the point in my life wherein my fragile psyche was so irrevocably damaged that I’d feel the need to write – not just a short story, but a whole novel – in a genre typically reserved for the damaged and the deranged, the strange misanthropic lurkers who are unable to maintain eye contact and keep normal conversation, but who are absolutely first in line for the latest slasher extravaganza.
So, I guess the title of this post might just have easily been “What Kind of Sicko WRITES Horror?” Or perhaps they’re not being quite that judgmental. Perhaps I’ve just grown sensitive to the looks, the subtle nods, and glances down noses. Regardless, the bias, in my estimation, is this: you have to be a little damaged to write (or read or enjoy) horror.
To this, I say, unequivocally, “Bullshit”.
Before I go on, I think it’s a good time for me to say that I don’t consider myself damaged (any more than any of us are) and I’m absolutely not ashamed of what I write. In fact, I’m pretty darn proud to be a part of a genre that boasts such luminaries as Poe, Wells, Stevenson, Stoker, Jackson, Matheson, King, Koontz, Barker, Ellison, Lovecraft, Serling, and Hitchcock, and that’s just for starters. While I don’t count myself among their ranks, I am humbled to be at the same party.
I am much more dismayed by the reactions I receive because it typically means that the person I’m talking to holds a bias toward an entire genre of books, and that usually means that they don’t really know what that genre – horror – is all about. I think many of them assume horror equates to the blood and gore and sadistic torture that has taken the place of nuanced storytelling in much of the recent horror movie fare. Or that it is akin to the innumerable splatter sequels that became so popular in the eighties, and keep marching forward. If that’s the only way someone knows horror, then they don’t really know horror at all; it’s like judging a whole family by way of the two mischievous cousins you met at the roller derby.
Now, there has been many a case made in defense of horror, and I won’t delve too deeply into those here. Some say that we create fantastical horror because it’s a manageable proxy for the real horror that surrounds us on a daily basis; vampires and ghouls are much easier to battle than cancer. Others argue that horror storytelling provides a real emotional catharsis that is absolute necessary for our emotional development as human creatures. And for others, horror connects them with their innocent childlike self, full of imagination, hope, optimism, and yes, fear. But horror doesn’t have to be either empowering or hopeful to be powerful, necessarily; just look at most of Poe’s work.
But I think horror resonates with us at a deeper level, a primal one. I think we’re hard wired to appreciate the visceral reaction a good scary story produces inside of us: the surge of adrenaline, the elevated heartbeat, the sweaty palms, the rush of endorphins. We’re cavemen with no predators; for most of us reading this, we don’t worry about getting to work each day uneaten – at least, I hope we don’t. Horror allows us to tap into our lizard brain; the part of us hardwired for fight or flight, and then move safely on to the next activity in our day. It’s the same reason we enjoy rollercoasters or waterskiing or skydiving, except reading can be done from the security of our easy chair.
So do you have to be deranged to write (and read) horror?
No more so than being a rollercoaster junkie or enjoying a haunted house at Halloween. Except with horror writing, you often get lovable protagonists, memorable villains, wonderful prose, and much of the time, a deeper message, something to walk away with, to savor and return to. If you’ve avoided horror up to this point, I urge you to dive in. How cool is it to think that there is a whole genre out there ready to be discovered and enjoyed?
So, what kind of sicko reads horror?
Me. My friends. My mom. My colleagues. Parents. Children. Teachers. Students. My doctor. My handyman.
In short, damn near everyone.
When people ask me why I write horror, I have no answer. I never really made a conscious choice about what genre I would write in. It wasn’t a decision I wrestled with. The stories that fascinate me typically have horror elements at their heart. I have said before that I just love to see what humans do when facing off against an overwhelmingly evil force. Will they overcome? Do the seemingly impossible? Rise to the occasion? I’m an optimist at heart, so I think for me, the answer is typically yes. Writer G.K. Chesterson said, “Fairy tales don’t tell children that dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children that dragons can be killed.” I like that very much.
              So, why do you read horror?
Geddy’s Moon
by John Mulhall

Tyler is an amnesiac, drifting aimlessly across the country, struggling to regain his lost memories. When he arrives in Geddy’s Moon, a sleepy town in the middle of the Kansas wheat fields, fragments of his past begin to resurface. 

But as he establishes new relationships in town, and spends time with the local librarian and her son, he finds himself tormented by nightmares that grow more unsettling each night. 

What horrific events took place before Tyler arrived in Geddy’s Moon? And could he have brought a terrifying – and possibly supernatural – danger along with him? 

As the pieces of his fractured memory begin to fall into place, he fears that it may already be too late to keep himself, and those he’s begun to care about, safe from a vicious evil.

Get it at Amazon

About the Author:

Geddy’s Moon is John Mulhall’s debut novel. In addition to being an award-winning video and event producer, John is also the author of several short stories, plays and a collection of poetry. He began developing Geddy’s Moon more than twenty years ago at age nineteen, but he promises his next novel won’t take quite so long. He lives in Newbury Park, California, where he is the President/CEO of a creative agency.

http://www.johnmulhall.com

https://www.facebook.com/authorjohnmulhall

https://twitter.com/john_mulhall

Spotlight on Ready for Him by Tanith Davenport

Ready for HimTied To The Billionaire Anthology
Tanith Davenport
Genre: Erotic romancePublisher: Total-e-Bound
Date of Publication: 16 August 2013ISBN: 978-1-78184-414-4
Word Count: 12761
Cover Artist: Posh Gosh
Book Description:
In the bar at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Jade Bleecker celebrates with her three best friends, all of whom are there to get married - Jade is their bridesmaid, and beginning to believe that three times a bridesmaid really does mean never a bride. Tattooed, pierced and a martial artist, Jade is used to inspiring fear rather than desire in men, and even if she did find one who could handle her - well, no man is worth trusting with her body.
But, as she is leaving the bar, she comes upon a mugging in progress and, with a few swift moves, makes short work of the mugger. Invited up to the victim's room for a nightcap, she is stunned to discover he is Will Vandenmeer - billionaire poster child of the Vandenmeer hotel and casino chain, and owner of The Sanctuary, one of the best known BDSM clubs in New York City.
Jade finds herself hopelessly attractive to the sensual, dominant Will, and when he offers to induct her into the world of BDSM, she accepts... but can she truly give herself to him, and is Will ready for what Jade has to offer?


Excerpt:
“Don’t worry, you’re in no danger here. I’m putting the suite under lockdown. It’s not the first time this has happened, and I won’t have any more innocent rescuers hurt in retaliation. Bryn and Matt have radioed my team and they’re dealing with it.”
For fuck’s sake!
Jade screwed her eyes shut for a moment, forcing herself to calm down.
Okay. I don’t like it, but he’s right. Shit, what have I got myself into?
“Relax,” said Will, and Jade opened her eyes again to glare at him. “You’re safe with me. Despite what you may have heard.”
And Jade’s stomach spiralled as she remembered the other, less-publicised aspect of Will Vandenmeer.
His club.
It had created a frenzy in the press at first, but the stories had come to an abrupt halt—probably, Jade guessed, due to a heavy-handed legal team. The Sanctuary was hidden in the heart of New York City, a haven for those who lived the hardcore BDSM lifestyle. Patrons were protected, behaviour was strictly regulated, and membership was revoked for the slightest infringement. It was not a place for dabblers.
Will Vandenmeer was a dominant, and didn’t care who knew it.
‘You’re safe with me’. Will was holding her gaze now, and Jade refused to look away, although her body was rebelling against her—torn between the flutter of nerves in her gut and a stab of desire in her cunt.
Maybe she was safe with him. Maybe she wasn’t.
Or maybe she didn’t want to be.
“Okay. Tell me what you know about me.”
Jade’s fingers involuntarily clenched around the stem of her glass.
“Wait.” Will picked up his own glass, holding his other hand out as though calming a spooked horse. “Scrap that for now. Let me tell you what I’m getting from you.”
Oh really? Jade raised one pierced eyebrow at him.
“What’s your full name?”
“Jade Bleecker.”
“Nice. Jade Bleecker.” Will took a sip from his glass. “You’re a strong woman. You clearly know how to handle yourself. You’ve got at least three tattoos and two piercings that I can see, and probably more that I can’t, so you’re not afraid of pain. And you know what BDSM is, right?”
Jade nodded slowly. Where are you going with this?
“Right. And you’re curious about it.” Will was watching her very closely as he spoke, and Jade held herself very still. “But you think it means all the worst things people say. You think dominants beat their submissives down, that we don’t give a damn about their pleasure, that we expect them to give up everything for our benefit. Right?”
I’m not telling you anything. Jade could feel her face falling into a mask. If Will noticed, he made no comment.
“Are you single?”
“Mmm.”
“‘Mmm’? Okay.” Will’s eyes were dancing, and Jade’s jaw set in annoyance. “What would you say if I told you that BDSM is nothing like that, Jade?”
Silence fell between them.
“What would you say if I offered to—”
“Wait.” Jade held up a hand, cursing inwardly as she realised it was trembling.
What the hell am I doing?
You want this, a voice taunted in her head.
I don’t even know him and he’s talking about BDSM. I can’t do this. I can’t.
But the image from the bar of herself held down, tied down, putting all her trust in one man, still flickered in her head, and something inside her was urging her forward.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” Will said, breaking into her thoughts, and Jade found herself answering without thinking.
“I couldn’t do it.”
“Do you want to?”
“That doesn’t matter. I couldn’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t trust any man with my body.” Jade snapped her mouth shut abruptly, hating the look that had come into Will’s eyes at the words.
Because I’ve been fucked over before. Because I’m a screw-up. Because I don’t need your fucking pity. Go to hell.
“That’s actually a very good reason why you could.”
Jade looked up at him, torn between curiosity and defiance.
“What does that mean?”
Will tilted his head to one side, looking her up and down. “You look like a person who might like dangerous sports. Think of bungee jumping. The danger is what attracts people, but any reputable company has a thousand regulations in place before they let anyone do it, precisely because of that danger. Right?
“BDSM works the same way. You’re right not to trust just anyone—but in the community—in my club, for instance, relationships are tightly controlled. Every Dom has rules to follow, as does every sub. Break the rules and you’re thrown out. We protect our patrons.”
Jade nodded slowly.
“Not everyone uses contracts, but even without them, limits and boundaries are agreed beforehand. So are safewords. The universal word is ‘red’, but many people choose their own. If I did anything to you that you didn’t want, you would use your word and I would stop—no questions asked. The trust is absolute.”
“I see.”
Jade reached for her drink, but her hand was shaking, and hastily she put it back on the table. As if he could tell what she was feeling, Will’s voice took on a seductive quality, and Jade bit down on her lip as a rush of desire flashed through her body.
“It’s all about needs. Ours are different, that’s all. You take pleasure in doing what I want. I take pleasure in fulfilling your needs. It has to be reciprocal.”
I take pleasure… You take pleasure… He’s talking as though we’re going to—The thought made her catch her breath. Immediately Will’s eyes were on hers, and Jade found it impossible to look away.
“Do you still think you couldn’t do it?”
“No.”
Will arched an eyebrow. “Would you like me to show you?”
I want…
“Yes,” Jade heard herself saying, unable to drag her gaze away from Will’s. He smiled.


About the Author:
Tanith Davenport began writing erotica at the age of 27 by way of the Romantic Novelists' Association New Writers' Scheme. Her debut novel "The Hand He Dealt" was released by Total-e-Bound in June 2011 and was shortlisted for the Joan Hessayon Award for 2012.
Tanith has had short stories published by Naughty Nights Press and House of Erotica. She loves to travel and dreams of one day taking a driving tour of the United States, preferably in a classic 1950s pink Cadillac Eldorado.
Tanith's idea of heaven is an Indian head massage with a Mojito at her side.

www.facebook.com/TanithDavenport
www.twitter.com/TanithDavenport
www.tanithdavenport.com
www.tanithdavenport.blogspot.com

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Join us for the Wonderfully Witchy August Issue of Bewitching Book Tours Magazine.

Our theme for the month is witches- and to really make the theme really fun we have a Find the Witch Scavenger Hunt going on throughout the magazine. Winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card.

This month’s issue contains an author interview with Jacqueline Paige and in depth details about her Magic Seasons Series along with features and excerpts about books by; Kimberly Frost, April Aasheim, Suzanne Johnson, Charity Parkerson, Debbie Christiana, and Roxanne Rhoads.

Readers can also enjoy poetry, book reviews, and our regular features Tarot in Fiction and La Mamma Verde’s Green Living Advice.

In the Naughty Nook you’ll find a sizzling excerpt from Witch in the Middle, a short story in the Paranormal Pleasures Anthology, you discover that sex and chocolate have long been a delightful duo, and you can take a peek into Hex and the Single Witch with a short excerpt and an article about the characters creating their own story.

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Interview with T.F. Walsh

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
I was born in Romania, and as a young child, my dad would often tell me dark Grimm-like stories before bed. These Romanian fairy tales were passed down from generation to generation and were very dark compared to modern stories we are familiar with. But the grim nature of the stories never occurred to me at the time, and made the moral or point of the story more serious. And now, those elements trickle into my writing. It’s a part of meJ
Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions?
Getting the right name of characters plays a bit part in any story. It reveals where they’re from, a bit about their family, and if they use nicknames, we’re given even more insight.In Cloaked in Fur, my characters come from all over Europe, but I wanted them to have a wolf influenced name from those countries. So research played a huge part. 
For example:
Daciana’s name, the main character in my book, is a Romanian name that comes from Roman Dacia, the name for the region that is today known as Moldova. Some say Dacians were once known as the daoi, which means wolf.
Sandulf’s name, the pack leader, is a gothic name composed of Germanic elements meaning true wolf.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
While I wrote my first draft of the novel, I grew completely infatuated with Enre, who is Daciana’s ex-lover. I guess when you spend so much time in a character’s head; it’s bound to influence youJ
Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?
While researching animal attacks on humans, yeah, I know gruesome, I did discover that bears in the Carpathian Mountains actually wandered down into the town of Brasov, even during the day, to go through people’s garbage for food. I also learned that bears scratched tree trunks really high up to show any other bears in their territory how big were, so the encroaching bear better get out of there.
What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes?
I actually watched every movie and documentary on wolves I could get my hands on to study their behaviour and interaction amongst their pack. Visiting the zoo just wouldn’t cut it. I wanted to see these majestic creatures in the wild.
Do you write in different genres?
Yes. Aside from adult paranormal romance, I also write horror, fantasy and YA steampunk.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
My biggest guilty pleasure is baking. When I need time away, I slip into the kitchen and bake a batch of snickerdoodles, or muffinsJ
What can readers expect next from you?
Right now, I’m working on book 2 of Cloaked in Fur. I’m also half way through a new young adult steampunk / fantasy novel, which is made up of three parts about six characters. It is set in a world filled with witches, steampunk monsters and magic, and at the heart of the story, there’s the struggle to find love.

Where can readers find you on the web?
Website http://tfwalsh.wordpress.com Twitter www.twitter.com/TFWalshFacebook https://www.facebook.com/tfwalshPinterest http://pinterest.com/tfwalsh/Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7150942.T_F_WalshAmazon www.amazon.com/author/tfwalsh
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
I’d love to. Here’s a short snippet from the beginning of chapter 6.
I was blown away by Connell’s confession. He had lied to the police for me, risking his career and everything he’d worked for, based only on my word. And despite the overwhelming love I felt from his actions, my insides shattered like glass. I couldn’t tell him the real truth, ever. I was the world’s biggest hypocrite. “Are you sure that’s what you want to do? I don’t want to get you in trouble.”“It’s done. Plus, I don’t want you to be interrogated as a criminal where I can’t protect you. This is why I need your honesty.”We drove in silence for a while. He soon pulled into the police station parking lot and leaned close. I guided his golden strands out of his mocha eyes. His sweet rum scent coated me as he kissed me in an urgent kind of way. Perhaps we both felt the uneasiness of our situation. After all, I’d dragged him into my mess. I melted against him, staying there until he pulled back.



Cloaked in Fur
T.F. Walsh
Genre: Paranormal Suspense with strong romance elements
Publisher: Crimson RomanceDate of Publication: August 5, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4405-7161-9
ASIN: B00DV0XJ4A

Number of pages: 216
Word Count: 73,000 approx.

Word Count: 73,000 approx.
Cover Artist: Stephanie Hannus
Book Description:
As a moonwulf, Daciana never expected to fall in love with a human. Hell, she never imagined that she’d abandon her pack, endanger everyone around her, and break the worst rule possible. But she did.
A rogue werewolf is killing Daciana’s friends, and she sets on capturing the creature.  She’ll do whatever it takes to stop the beast. The police and her boyfriend, Inspector Connell Lonescu, are starting to question her involvement in the murders, which is endangering the pack’s secret existence. But when the pack alpha kidnaps Connell, revealing the awful truth about the creature and its connection to the pack, Daciana must choose between saving the man she loves and saving her pack family from certain death.


Amazon     Amazon UK    BN    iTunes  Crimson Romance

About the Author:
T.F. Walsh emigrated from Romania to Australia at the age of eight and now lives in a regional city south of Sydney with her husband. Growing up hearing dark fairytales, she's always had a passion for reading and writing horror, paranormal romance, urban fantasy and young adult stories. She balances all the dark with light fluffy stuff like baking and traveling.
http://tfwalsh.wordpress.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TFWalsh
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tfwalsh
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/tfwalsh/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/TFWalsh





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August 16 InterviewFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
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August 20 Spotlight and reviewFaerie Tale Bookswww.faerietalebooks.org
August 21 Guest blogElfie Bookshttp://elfie-books.blogspot.co.uk
August 22 Guest blogRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
August 22 reviewBooks, Bones & Buffyhttp://booksbonesbuffy.com
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August 26 Interview and reviewEbook Escapes ebookescapes.com
August 27 Guest blogLarissa and Friends' Bookish Life – www.larissaslife.com
August 28 Character Interview Author Karen Swarthttp://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com
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Researching without even realizing it. Guest blog with Jacqueline Paige

Before I wrote the Magic Seasons, which if you’ve followed along on any of my book tours you’d know it was not a planned event in my life; I traveled around to various in province Pagan festivals.  At the time I was so enthralled by finding others to share this different way of life with that I didn’t know how much I learned until long afterward.
There were just so many paths and avenues of knowledge to absorb, it was quite overwhelming.  I mean, I’ve always been pagan and somewhat “unique” but I had never realized how many facets there were until then.
At this point I was already a certified herbalist, using plants, herbs and oils for most of my family and friends health, medical and emotional instances.  I was also a Holistic Back Practitioner, a certified Holistic massage therapist, shiatsu and acupressure specialist, so stepping into an environment of so many nature based beliefs wasn’t a very big leap for me.During my travels I absorbed so much and my interests were never ending in wanting to learn more and more… 
For each of the paths I’ve put in the Magic Seasons I did spend time with people that followed those without pause. It wasn’t just their beliefs, but their way of life and while a lot of it just didn’t fit into my own personal makeup, I did learn a lot and keep the pieces that fit to enhance what I already believe. 
I’ve been asked a lot if there are ‘real’ witches out there. Yes, there are witches, witchdoctors and practitioners (to mention a few) of different faiths.  It’s really no different than there being pastors, priests and ministers on the other side of the coin of life.
While the magic in the series is somewhat fantastical, even though I’d love to have the ability so smack someone without touching them or move something without lifting a hand (who wouldn’t right?) it’s not far from what real magic is to me.  Just look out the window (if you have a view of nature and not concrete) and tell me that nothing out there has a touch of magic to it.




Winter MistBook 5 The Magic Seasons seriesJacqueline Paige
CLASS ACT BOOKS author page

AMAZON author page

Step into a world of magic and passions....
Take a dash of spice, heat itAdd a flash of magic and watch the sparks flyToss in a killer that's targeting womenAdd a handful of witches from all paths to stir it all together...
Patrick is a man that has lived a violent life undercover in all the wrong places, for too long.  His light charm carefully keeps others from seeing the dangerous man that lies inside.  He is the first for justice and will go out of his way to keep the innocent safe.  He finds himself falling for the woman that was a victim of a sick and vile person and is caught between keeping her out of harm’s way and completing the job he needs to finish.
Rhonda is a woman that becomes a victim to the vicious attack of a killer.  Even though she survives, she will have to learn to live with the scars for the rest of her life.  In hiding she has to rebuild the strength to get through it. She is forced to spend her days and nights in the company of a detective, that seems to have no other plan in life than to constantly aggravate her and make her want things she may never have again.
When Patrick’s cover is blown and he is badly injured, the group of friends pull together to keep him and the recovering victim of a killer safe.  As a result, the group of twelve become targets of the criminals after Patrick and have to live together in a safe house for Yule. 
Can twelve witches follow orders or will they take matters into their own hands?




Autumn Dance
Book IV in the Magic Seasons series

At the autumn gathering twelve angry and determined witches use their power to draw out the killer before anyone else can become a victim.

With his magic ability Dade has control like no other— if he had that in his everyday life he could have the one thing he wants.

Coralee is a woman that represents grace and simplicity.  She has the skill of being able to feel emotion, aura and see beyond the now.  The pain sometimes associated with this gift has forced her to live her life from a distance.  She decided early in life what she wanted, and returned from her years away at school set to obtain her biggest dream. Unfortunately she has found the past few years lacking just that as she waits for the man she wants to stop and look at her instead of every female that throws themselves in his path.  

Dade is a man that follows life simply, yet his charitable personality brings him a wealth of   satisfaction.  He is the first to lend a hand, the last to stay and help and the one everyone calls when something goes wrong.  Even though his own generous nature fills his life, he still manages to find time enough to get himself into a mess at every turn and spends most of the time imploring forgiveness from the one sexy voodoo woman he can’t seem to get close to. 



Harvest DreamsBook III in the Magic Seasons series
Publisher buy link: Class Act Books
Armed with magic and a plan ...
Armed with magic and a plan for the Lammas festival as a group they are determined to stop the killer from harming anyone again.
With a plan of his own, Steven decides to persuade Rachel that they’re meant to be together.Rachel is a woman that lives carefree with a buoyant recklessness. She loves being a flirt and has spent many years indulging that side of her personality. Her energy draws others; her character is to protect all those that cannot protect themselves.  When she’s not riding on life, she is helping children less fortunate then herself. 
Steven is man that gives more than his energy usually allows.  He is a highly respected pediatrician that always goes that extra step to ensure all in his care are receiving his utmost attention.  He often sacrifices sleep to spend time with his friends, and he can’t seem to help affably chasing the skirt of the one woman that breaks his easy going charm and makes him forget he’s supposed to be the jovial.  He hides his strength in body and magic, never letting others know that he is more than the carefree man with everything he needs.   
Armed with magic and a plan for the Lammas festival as a group they are determined to stop the killer from harming anyone again.  With a plan of his own, Steven decides he’s done waiting for Rachel to see that they’re meant to be together and takes things into his own hands.


The Solstice Heat –Book II in the Magic Seasons seriesBy Jacqueline Paige
Publisher buy link: Class Act Books
Passion and magic that burns
Kasey is a woman that exudes energy and brightness; she is as equally passionate when angry as she is when she’s happy. The energy she carries from life comes through in all her magical workings with spells and stones, giving them great magical strength. She is a dreamer and often wishes she could re-write her own story so that she was charming and sophisticated enough to be with a certain wealthy male lawyer she wants more than anything else.
Chris is a force of strength and experience that is carefully hidden behind the easy mannerism he has adapted so carefully.  There is nothing he cannot do where magic is concerned and he has tried all manner of things, whether right or wrong.  His fortune has left him wanting for nothing else in life, except the one thing money can’t buy him, the woman he feels too unclean to approach.
Separated by two different life styles yet their passion and magic ignite sparks hotter than the Solstice heat.

Can they work out a way to be together as they try to stop a killer from striking again?




From Beltane MagicBook I in the Magic Seasons
Paranormal Romantic SuspenseAvailable in eformats and paperbackPublisher: Class Act Books

Step into a world of magic and passions....
Take a dash of spice, heat it

Add a flash of magic and watch the sparks fly

Toss in a killer that's targeting women

Add a handful of witches from all paths to stir it all together...

Each were willing to spend their lives alone and safe; until they’re touched by Beltane Magic.

Can they survive their pasts to be together as they struggle to find a killer before the wheel turns again?

Book Description:
Leena is a woman that is gentle in everything, her personality and moods. She always feels maternal with her closest friends and would go out of their way to look after any one of them. Her ability of controlling the elements and knowledge of plants make her magic abilities strong and unbreakable.  She is a leader at work and in life, always working hard to keep those around her close, but never allowing anyone to get too close.
To the outside world she is just Leena Duncan, a quiet woman who works a normal job and lived a quiet life.
A few times a year she can openly use her magical gifts at celebrations within a small community of people she calls friends.
Having lived through the horrors that can come from the hands of someone you thought loved you; she decided never loving again would prevent more emotional scarring.
It takes one man at a rainy Beltane celebration to change everything she is comfortable with and one killer to change her safe world.           Owen is a man that reflects humor and cavalier vibrations to others, he is gentle and caring as is his ability to draw negative and heal others. If you didn’t know him, you would never realize he came from violence.  Knowing how the real world can be, he has vowed to never put himself into the position, or allow anyone else that could open up the world he has carefully sealed shut forever. 
He creates worlds and puts them on paper to entertain others.  After years of using his imagination he finds out his friends can do things he thought only his mind created.  For his entire adult life Owen Grey has always played it safe and kept to his own world of writing, never getting too close to anyone.
Having lived a nightmare growing up he would never take the chance of repeating history.  He may write about happily-ever-after, but knows it is pure fantasy and doesn’t exist.
Until her . . . 

Amazon    Class Act Books


About the Author:
Jacqueline Paige is a world class multi-tasker being a mother to five adventurous and unpredictable children, a cafe manager and having a colossal imagination that allows her to step outside of reality into a world of paranormal romance —with just a touch of suspense.
Jacqueline lives in Ontario, Canada and avoids the ever changing weather of the region she lives in by creating other worlds to fall into in her stories of all things paranormal.
Her first book was published in 2009 and since then has published ten.  She is always writing and currently has more than a dozen stories in one stage or another of the writing process.
You can find all of Jacqueline’s books at:  www.jacqpaige.webs.com

Interview with Margarita Gakis Author of Trial by Fire

What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires, that fascinates you so much?
I think it’s the comparison and contrast with humanity. Working with paranormal creatures and other worlds gives us the chance to really put a spotlight on our own world in a way that isn’t so jarring or obvious. You can really flesh out ideas about humanity when you’re comparing and contrasting against something else. That’s not always easy to do in other genres without coming across as preachy or too high brow. There’s also something very alluring about power and control and I think that a lot of supernatural creatures showcase that. We want our supernaturals to be powerful but they tend to always rein that power in. They also tend to be conflicted over their nature and that makes for great reading.
Please tell us about your latest release.
It’s about a woman, Jade, who finds out that she’s a witch. She’s the first one born outside of a coven, so she’s somewhat of an anomaly. She needs to figure out if joining a coven is something she wants. Jade figures she’ll give coven life a try, only to find out once she gets there that there’s more involved. There’s someone or something that doesn’t want her around, and would like to take her power. The book is about how she deals with that thread as well as how she deals with trying to belong in the coven. She’s never been much for belonging and it’s a stretch for her emotionally and personally.
Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions?
Names are so hard! For many of the first working drafts of Trial by Fire, I had it in my head that the witches didn’t have last names. So, to ensure that everyone knew who people were talking about, I thought I would ensure everyone had a unique first name. Through subsequent drafts, I changed my world building a lot and the ‘no last name’ rule no longer applies, but everyone had their name at that point, so they stuck! I do to try pick a name that I feel ‘matches’ the character in some way. I spend a lot of time going through baby name websites or a textbook I have from university on Classical Mythology. I find it helps get my creativity flowing. For last names, I tend to look up around my room, at the books I have there and pick something that’s listed on the spine.
Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?
I have an idea or sense in my head of how they move, act and speak and I find that they [being the characters] generally start to tell me who they are as I write. I do know things about my characters that probably won’t ever make it into any books - quirks, snippets from their past, their horrendous first date or some oddity about them. I find that knowing those details really helps me figure out who they are and how they’ll respond to things. We’re all a sum of our experiences and characters are no different.
What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
There’s a scene in the book where my protagonist, Jade, realizes she’s in some trouble and she really tries to break that down into what it means and what she can do. It was really important to me that she be proactive, and maybe even a little vengeful. It’s probably not the flashiest scene in the book [no magic or demons in it!] but to me, it was a really important scene to write and I’m really proud of her as my heroine!
Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?
Any character that has a coffee addiction is my work is because I have a coffee addiction. I worked at a Starbucks for many years while I was in school and coffee was my life! I drank it, I made it, I constantly wore clothes that smelled of it. It was a great job and I had it for a long time. And cursing. Cursing usually comes from me. I have to really watch it while I’m at my day job.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
Oh, definitely. You know, list a random excuse and I’ve used it to avoid writing. I love the product, but I don’t always love the process. I try to have a few projects on the go - maybe a couple small ones and one big one - and by juggling them, I find I can usually work on at least one of them if something else is stuck. I’ll also set a smaller word goal for myself if I’m really stuck. Maybe tell myself I just have to write 250 words that day. If I do that for a few days, I’ve usually picked away at the part that’s stalling me and have come out the other side. I do try to figure out why I’m blocked - am I tired? Stressed out? Is this scene not working because it really shouldn't be in the story? If it’s just me being lazy, then I do have to just knuckle down and do it. I always tell myself that writers write. I won’t get better or get stuff done by thinking about writing.
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
I started taking cello lessons a little over 2 years ago and I love it. I don’t practice as much as I should, nor am I as good as I want to be, but I just… I’m in love with the sound of the cello. I listen to a lot of string music and the cello is magnificent. Playing it has taught me a lot of lessons about patience and working with my body and brain together, but also about music and expression. I have the best cello teacher, hands down. She’s fantastic. Our cello sessions mean so much to me!
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?
I prefer to read in bed or in a chair in my house in the living room but I end up reading most on the train during my commute. Sometimes it’s hard to really get into a book while I’m packed in with other commuters and it’s early in the morning or later during the day, but it’s one of the few times I’m completely unoccupied with anything else. 
What can readers expect next from you?
Book 2! I’m working on the next book in the Covencraft Series right now. It picks up very close to where Trial by Fire left off and I’m expanding on the world building and continuing to delve into Jade’s growth as a witch, as well as her past.
Where can readers find you on the web?
I have a blog at margaritagakis.com, I’m on twitter as margaritagakis and on Facebook as CovencraftSeries. I try to post at least once a day on Facebook, and maybe once or twice a week on my blog.
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
Here’s a little snippet from about half way through the book. Thanks for having me!Jade wasn’t sure how long she’d been asleep. Probably not long. She was a light sleeper, generally waking up to turn over. As she flipped and settled down again she felt it. A sense of wrongness. Of otherness.She wasn’t alone in her room.Jade forced her body to relax, ears straining to hear a sound, any sound. She could hear the sudden pounding of her heart in her ears, hear her quiet breathing - a little faster than usual. She could hear the faint ‘tick-tick-tick’ from the antique clock on the dresser.Nothing else.But the air... It was almost as though the air were thicker, harder to breathe. Denser. Cloying. Tension started curling into a tight ball in her stomach.“Don’t play possum. I can tell you’re awake.”The voice came from beside her, right beside her - deep, thick and wrong. Without thinking she swung out with her open palm, hoping to clap it, him, it on the ear.Her wrist was caught painfully, the bones squeezed so tight she felt them grind. She kicked her legs out, trying to writhe away and make contact at the same time. An arm went down across her throat like a stone wall - hard and painful and she made a strangled choking sound. She kicked, she clawed with her other hand, she bucked her hips up but in seconds she was flat on her back with it on top of her.Correction - definitely a him.From the ambient light in the room she could decipher black eyes, dark hair, smooth skin and prominent features. The first word that leaped into her head was a breathless ‘beautiful’ and she felt frozen.“Hello, possum.”His voice was impossibly stunning too, syrupy and deep and she had to force herself to look away from his face. She reached out with her free hand and managed to grab her alarm clock and with a mighty swing, she cracked it against his head.It smashed, breaking into pieces and he barely flinched. The shock of it reverberated up her arm, making her joints ache.“Tsk tsk, possum. I’m here to help you.”She immediately thought of her magic, pushing all her panic into calling up fire, like she’d done in her apartment, at her medical exam and just the day prior in her kitchen. A huge flaming sphere spat itself into existence in front of her face and she sent it screaming towards her attacker.He flinched this time, but only for a moment before seeming to inhale the fire, taking a deep breath in and sucking it down.“Very nice,” he said. “But not enough control.” He shook his head like he was disappointed. “You’ve definitely got the power, but not quite the focus yet.”Vibrating with fear, she conjured another fireball but it wasn’t as big as the last one. She couldn’t think clearly enough to make it as lethal. He jerked his head a little and the flames zipped off to the side before she could even try to burn him. He laughed at her and she let out a cry of distress, anger and just fear.“You must have better than that,” he said as though he were amused. “I had such high hopes for you.” He leaned over her, putting his lips and nose in the column of her neck and he inhaled deeply, almost a sigh. “You smell wonderfully of power.”Jade turned her head, got his ear in her mouth and bit down as hard as she could, feeling the flesh split under the power of her jaw. Her mouth flooded with blood - salty, hot and awful with the faint taste of something else, something cloyingly sweet and thick mixed in.He laughed, tearing himself away from her teeth and she gagged as she spat out part of his lobe. “You are fun,” he said, his teeth long, sharp and inhuman, flashing in the half-light. “Unfortunately I’m not here for fun.”





Trial by FireCovencraft Book OneMargarita Gakis
Genre: Urban Fantasy/ParanormalPublisher: Fable Press
Date of Publication:  6/25/2013ISBN: 978-1-939897-03-9ASIN: B00CX779MK
Number of pages: 325Word Count:  84,000
Cover Artist: Steven Novak
Amazon   Amazon.ca   Amazon.co.uk
Book Description:
Jade leads a structured life:
Routine job.
Caffeine addiction.
No serious relationships.
And now, she can spontaneously set things on fire with her mind.
Well... perhaps “normal” was never in the cards for her. As she questions her own sanity and spirals out of control, a man appears on her doorstep and tells her that, like him, she’s a witch.
Pulled in all directions, her unbridled magic draws dangerous attention and Jade wonders if she’s made the worst mistake of her life by joining a coven, or if she’ll even live long enough to regret it.

About the Author:
Margarita loves the art, creativity and romanticism of storytelling. Sometimes, however, the act of putting pen to paper proves challenging, elusive. She develops genuine, relatable characters which grow in the hearts of her readers. From that foundation, the stories flourish into a warm friend.
She enjoys pursuits which blur the lines between the analytical and creative sides of her brain. This includes her day job in electronic data management, where she uses her creativity to solve logical problems, and also her lessons learning to play the cello, where she finds beauty in the structure of music and the instrument. She believes there is a place for both logic and imagination to work together. When they do, the results are magical.
Margarita has a special spot in her heart for dogs and lives with three of them. It can be a little overwhelming but the quality snuggle time makes up for it.
Margarita lives in Calgary, Alberta with her family.
http://margaritagakis.wordpress.com
Twitter:  @margaritagakis
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