Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 506

When are you going to write anything normal? Guest blog by Tracey Kitts

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked this. Everyone from my mother to people I used to go to school with have asked me before. The conversation usually goes something like this.
“So, your latest book is about werewolves (or vampires)?”
“That’s right.” I proceed to tell them about my latest book.
“Um. So, when are you going to write something normal? Cause I don’t read anything weird.”
The last time someone asked me this question they were about to purchase a copy of Terminator. I replied, “Right. Because sending your father back in time to get your mom pregnant is totally normal.”
Many people (particularly in small towns like mine) seem to be under the false impression that just because the characters are not completely human that you can’t relate to their stories. That’s not true at all. We all have things to overcome in our relationships and within ourselves. It may not be as serious as an aversion to sunlight or a severe need to wax on the full moon, but everyone has problems.
The difference is our problems aren’t solved between the pages of a good book. That’s what’s so great about fiction. I strive to make my characters and their situations REAL. That doesn’t mean it could really happen. It means that what they are feeling is real. The emotion is what brings reality to my stories.
Besides, being a vampire or a werewolf could be a metaphor for almost anything. It’s about looking beyond the surface to see who they really are. The man behind the beast is a very attractive concept to me. I’ve seen some great looking men who were monsters underneath. I write stories about the exact opposite.
Beauty and the Beast is a classic story that somehow comes through in each and every paranormal romance I’ve ever read or written. It all comes down to can you see what’s beneath rather than what everyone else sees? Isn’t that what love is all about?
You don’t love someone because you don’t see their flaws. You love them because you see the flaws … and the flaws don’t matter. They are simply a part of the person you love.
So what if he has a hairy back once a month or grows fangs from time to time? Back to the original question: When am I going to write anything normal? According to my dear friend Priscilla, I already do.
About the Author: I write paranormal, sci-fi, and fantasy romance. I have wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. I've written stories for my own entertainment since I was little. I write what I enjoy in the hopes that others will enjoy it as well. I've always been drawn to the macabre. Vampires, werewolves, you name it. I've never written about the paranormal because it's popular. I do it because that's what I'm interested in. If the vampire fad ever passes, I'll still be sitting here in my Dracula cape, getting my fang on.

You can find out more about Tracey and her books at www.traceyhkitts.com
Her latest release is Bitten, an erotic vampire ménage/romance available on Amazon 

Interview with Paul Rudd

Please tell us about your latest release.
The story is based on a surfacing prehistoric shark, called Carcharodon Megalodon. Discovered a few years prior by a billionaire and hidden away in a secret facility, the shark is transported to the Aquatic Research City (ARC for short), to be a trophy exhibit. The story jumps between the team aboard the ARC and the intrepid team sent to capture it, after it escapes into the Pacific. No human or marine life is safe once the shark sets its sight on a new hunting ground.
It’s a highly charged, fast paced thrill ride with lots of twists and turns during the explosive finale.
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?
Creating names is great. I have so many written down and it’s the first avenue of call, after I get a story in my mind. It helps me develop a character, kind of like a blank canvas. I don’t think I’ve ever created a character without the name first.
What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
I’m not sure I actually have just one. There are a few action sequences that I read now and think ‘wow, now that’s cool’. If I had to pick one though, I think it would be the Jet-ski scene with Tyler Baxter and Lauren Ramsey. I like the build-up of searching for the shark and then WHAM, something happens out of the blue and leads to a thrilling next few chapters. Unfortunately I can’t really say what happens without giving anything away. You’ll have to read the story to find out.
What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes?
Honestly, I am a little like Xander Cage from the movie XXX. Being a renowned adrenaline junkie, I would have to say diving into shark infested waters was a little bit crazy. It seemed appropriate at the time to get firsthand knowledge of being face to face with a Great White shark. Although, I have to say, the shark cages look a lot bigger on television. Then again, it could have been a regular sized cage and the shark was just one huge puppy? Maybe I found a Megalodon? Now that would be a massive scoop. Just a shame I dropped my camera…!!!
Unfortunately, the above is not entirely accurate. I say not entirely, what I mean is, the most physically demanding thing I’ve ever done for research purposes is walk around an aquarium. Maybe that will change in the future, who knows? One of my future projects involves massive robots, so maybe I’ll get to test out one of those bad boys.

Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?

The world I created is very much down to earth, in the here and now. In addition to the ARC, there is some high concept technology but I wanted to keep it as real to life as possible. I’ve got plans for a sequel and can probably keep going. Maybe, if the time calls for it, I can go into the future a little. Cyborg sharks anyone? Now that would be cool!

What are your guilty pleasures in life?

I’m happy to say graphic novels. The non-geeks will say they are comic books but they are unschooled in the ways of the GN. 

From Socom: Seal Team Seven to X-Men: Age of Apocalypse, Final Crisis to Alan Moore’s Watchmen. Dark Axis: Rise of the Overmen and FVZA are recent purchases and both were fantastic. I recommend them totally. 

What was the last amazing book you read?

I’d go with The Rookie by Scott Sigler and the Vs. Reality series by Blake Northcott. 

What can readers expect next from you?

I have two stories that will be going to the editor very soon. One is a cowboy horror story, the other an apocalyptic actioner set in London. I’ve also got a horror anthology with another Taylor Street author, Reggie Jones, which we are trying to put together. We are aiming for a Grindhouse vibe during some top secret incidents during World War I and II. We are going a little bit of the scale with it, which is cool. 

Where can readers find you on the web?
My blog: http://sharcwriter.blogspot.co.uk

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theauthorpaulrudd

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sharcwriter

I find it hard to get followers, so feel free to tag along.

Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?

Amid the grim surface waters, a shoal of fish blocked Morgan's view. His first instinct was to ditch the extra lights and recording equipment, but the ever-darkening waters changed his mind. Twenty feet in front, the dim lights on Cole’s scuba gear disappeared completely. He switched on his second pair of external lights, and gaining a second wind, powered through as the rope secured around his waist dragged an extra camera ten feet behind him.

Upon arrival, Cole tapped his wrist, insinuating that Morgan had taken his time. Morgan replied with a raised 'screw you' middle finger. Focusing his eyes past Cole, he powered on his full beam hand-held light and was met by the tortured expression of a deceased Gray whale. From the near side of the bulk, hungry sharks burrowed within the decomposing carcass, their teeth ripping and tearing away small chunks of blubber. 

With both hands Cole held out an underwater camera and projected the live feed to the main video screen on the bridge of the Wakinyan. Both scuba masks comm. units clicked into life as Captain Dallas addressed the dive team.

“Morgan, Cole, we’ve got the images coming through crystal clear.”

“Looks like someone ordered a Gray whale off the menu,” replied Cole as he kept an eye on the unnervingly large pack of sharks. “I thought Gray whales were among the more expensive dishes in this part of town.”

Thanks for managing to get this far and if you decide to purchase SHARC, then I hope you enjoy it. It’s one hell of a ride. Peace.



October 8 Interview and reviewDeb Sanderswww.debsanders.com
October 9 Guest blogLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisaworldofbooks.net
October 10 InterviewParanormal Romantic Suspensehttp://sjclarke.com/blog-2/
October 11 InterviewHappy Tails and Taleshttp://magluvsya03.wordpress.com/
October 12 InterviewFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
October 13 InterviewRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
October 16  PromoSapphyria's Book Reviewshttp://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/
October 20 PromoThe Avid Readerhttp://the-avidreader.blogspot.com/
October 21 InterviewLaurie’s Non-Paranormal http://lauries-interviews.blogspot.com
October 22 Guest blogThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
October 27 Promo and reviewMimmi's Musingshttp://mimmismusings.blogspot.com/







SharcPaul Rudd
Genre: Romance, Adventure, Great WhitesPublisher: Taylor Street Books
ISBN: 1479209899 / 978-1479209897Number of pages: 285Word Count: 101,000
Cover Artist: Tim Roux
Book Description:
It's massive, it's intelligent, it's relentless and it's always looking for its next meal or its next challenge.
Maxwell Baxter is intent on fulfilling his greatest ambition yet, and he is an ambitious man. He wants to build the largest floating aquarium in the world, an aquarium city, and fill it with all manner of monsters from the depths, the first being a presumed extinct Megalodon he has captured, a prehistoric monster shark currently only thirty-five feet long but destined to grow up to one hundred feet of raw, razor-toothed ravenous greed with extraordinary abilities to detect anything edible or threatening in the water for miles around.
In the midst of international financial negotiations to raise the rest of the money to complete his ARC, and with the Governor of California being entertained on his private yacht on his way to review the facility, the Megalodon escapes and begins to terrorize everything in the Pacific, ships and other sea creatures alike, no matter what their size.
Maxwell Baxter's future rests on a knife-edge, and the Megalodon has a gigantic mouthful of them, each five feet long and giving it the capability to bite a small whale in half with one snap of its jaws.
With a Megalodon about, if you are thinking of getting back into the water, don't flatter yourself – you'll barely be a snack.
Amazon UK  Amazon US
Book Trailer http://youtu.be/NZ9e5u6TDV8


About the Author:
Ask a multi-award winning thespian if they would prefer a star on Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame or have the chance to write about a prehistoric shark and they’d take the easy option every time. Me? Sharks are a passion, they always have been. Not to say I have actually met any face to face or relied on a shark cage to keep me out of harm’s way; cos that’s just dumb!
So say hello to the real Paul Rudd. I’m a geek, pure and simple and a far throw from celebrity. I write lots. I’ve watched movies since birth, which probably makes a lot of sense to those who know me well.
My brain is a minefield of ideas just waiting to detonate and making them available has always been a dream. Now, with thanks to Taylor Street, I have managed to take my first step into the unknown.
So now starts the latest saga of my life and a little like the original Lord of the Rings cartoon, the outcome remains up in the air. If only the late Ralph Bakshi was here to conclude it... alas for now I will carry on chasing my own Moby Dick; the great white tooth of a Megalodon, so if anyone has a spare?
This is Paul Rudd of the Nostromo signing off…….
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theauthorpaulrudd
Twitter: @sharcwriter
Blog:  http://sharcwriter.blogspot.co.uk/

Phantom Shadows Blog Tour and Giveaway with Dianne Duvall

Phantom Shadows
Dr. Melanie Lipton is no stranger to the supernatural. She knows immortals better than they know themselves, right down to their stubborn little genes. So although a handsome rogue immortal seems suspicious to her colleagues, Sebastien Newcombe intrigues Melanie. His history is checkered, his scars are impressive, and his ideas are daring. But it's not his ideas that have Melanie fighting off surges of desire. . .
Bastien is used to being the bad guy. In fact, he can't remember the last time he had an ally he could trust. But Melanie is different--and under her calm, professional exterior he senses a passion beyond anything in his centuries of experience. Giving in to temptation is out of the question--he can't put her in danger. But she isn't asking him . . .

 Excerpt

“Are you trying to make me laugh again?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you don’t seem to laugh very often.  And I like it when you laugh.  It makes me happy.”
Hell.  He was in so much trouble.  There was only so much a man could withstand.
“I like you, Sebastien.”
“I don’t know why,” he murmured.
“I see what the others don’t.”
Once more, he found himself at a loss for words, because the desperation with which he wanted her to see something good in him -- something he could never seem to find himself -- was terrifying.
“Now, I know you don’t like to be touched,” she began.
What nit told her that? his inner voice screamed.
“But brace yourself.”  She took a step closer.  “Because I’m going to give you a hug.”
He stiffened.
Don’t let her touch you!  Not now!  Not after that weird-ass conversation that left you fixated on her body and feeling all soft and mushy inside because she likes to see you laugh!
Stepping closer, she slipped her arms around his waist, pressed the front of her delectable body to the front of his, leaned her weight into him, and rested her cheek on his chest.
He closed his eyes.  It felt wonderful.  She felt wonderful. 
Though he willed himself not to give in to temptation, he found himself wrapping his arms around her slight form and holding her tight.  


Kindle Contest
Don’t miss Dianne’s big kindle contest!  

In addition to the giveaway here at Fang-tastic Books (a give away of a signed copy of the winner's choice of one of the Immortal Guardians books), she’s giving away THREE Kindles (or Kindle Gift Cards if you already have one) to celebrate the release of PHANTOM SHADOWS.  See her website for details.


Dianne Duvall is the author of the Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series.  Her debut novel DARKNESS DAWNS was nominated for the RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance by RT Book Reviews and for Best Paranormal Romance - Vampire by The Romance Reviews.  NIGHT REIGNS, the second book, was declared an "utterly addictive" Top Pick by RT Book Reviews.  And PHANTOM SHADOWS, the third book in the series, was deemed a Top Pick by The Romance Reviews.  In addition to being a writer and an avid reader, Dianne loves all things creative.  When she isn't burying her nose in a book or weaving stories of her own, Dianne is active in the independent film industry and once even appeared onscreen as a machete-wielding maniac not unlike the vampires she so loves to create in her novels.

Dianne's Website:  http://www.dianneduvall.com
Blog:  http://dianneduvall.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dianne-Duvall/248355201895532

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/DianneDuvall

Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVcJ9xnm_i2ZKV7jM8dqAgA?feature=mhee

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4400405.Dianne_Duvall

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/dianneduvall


Buy Links
Amazon   Kindle  Barnes and Noble Nook    Books a Million




To enter the give away of a signed copy of winner's choice of one of the Immortal Guardians books please leave a comment on this post


You must leave an email address so you can be contacted if you win

Interview and Giveaway with Jennifer Ashley

Thanks so much for inviting me to the blog! I hope you enjoy the answers to my questions. I’d like to do a giveaway—either a signed copy of Mate Claimed, or any other book from my Shifters series.
1. What inspired you to write this book?
At my former publisher (Dorchester) my contract called for a book in a “new paranormal series.” I had planned to write a vampire series, but the marketing department said they didn’t want to have to try to sell “yet another vamp series.”
I understood (they were right that the book world was getting flooded with vampires), so I decided to do shape-shifters.
One day I was driving to the airport and saw some guys working construction on the side of the road.
I thought “What if they were all shapeshifters?” Then “What if they were shapeshifters related to each other—father, two sons (brothers), and a nephew of a deceased brother? All bachelors, all living in the same house?”
The Morrissey family (Liam, Sean, Dylan, Connor) flowed into my head. I thought—why are they all living together, and what do their neighbors think about them being shapeshifters? The whole Shiftertown concept was born and grew from that.
Happily, though Dorchester ceased to exist, my editor at Berkley picked up the series, and it’s been doing well there.
For this book in particular (Mate Claimed), I was interested in exploring what would happen if a Shifter tried to pretend to be a normal human—in this world, an illegal thing to do. What obstacles would she face, and what happens when a Shifter discovers her secret?
Thus, Iona was born, and Eric spies her across a crowded bar. They meet first in Wild Cat,which includes a very sensual scene between them (and chocolate).
2. Please tell us about your latest release.
Mate Claimed. Shifters Unbound, Book 4.
Shiftertown leader Eric Warden knows that half-Shifter wildcat Iona is passing for human, living without a Collar in the human world. He also knows that if she does not acknowledge her Shifter nature and her mating hunger, it could kill her.

Iona finds the mysterious and dangerous Eric haunting her dreams, but she vows never to take the Collar, fearing backlash against her mother and sister for hiding the fact that she's Shifter. But Eric is a compelling Shifter male, and Iona's hunger calls to him.
3. 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?
When I come up with a character name, I think about the character’s background—who their ancestors were, where the book is set and in what period, and about the person him- or herself.
For instance, many of the Feline Shifters originated in in Ireland and Scotland, the first Shifters created by the Fae about two thousand years ago. Many of their names reflect Gaelic, Celtic, Irish, and Scottish origins: The Morrissey family:  Liam, Sean, Dylan, Connor; The Warden family: Cassidy and Eric; Eric’s new love, Iona.
The wolves are from Europe but also North America, as are the bears, so their names will be mostly European with some Americanized. Spike, for instance, from Hard Mated, has ancestors from South American and Mexico—his real name is Eron Reyes, a Spanish name. The English-set Regencies or Victorians Scottish books I write have to have names that are both historically accurate and regionally accurate.
I have lists, and add to those lists all the time. I have lists of English names, Scottish names, Irish names, Hispanic names, Navajo names, and others.
4. What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes?
I’ve learned to oil paint and gone sailing. There’s nothing like feeling a boat under your feet running on nothing but wind power. You feel it coming up through the rudder to the wheel and into your whole body. Reading about it can’t convey the actual sensation.
For painting, I can’t paint a lick but I learned how to choose colors and how to mix colors (did you know many artists don’t actually use black but a mixture of other colors that get close to black? And that you lighten or darken a color, not with white or black, but with lighter and darker shades of the same color? I didn’t until I had to do it).
5. With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as stand alones?
There are two Shiftertown arcs: One Shiftertown is in Austin, TX, and is ruled by the Morrissey family (Liam, Sean, Connor, Dylan). The characters Ronan, Spike, Ellison are from that Shiftertown.
The other Shiftertown is in Las Vegas, headed by Eric Warden and his sister Cassidy. The bears next door (Shane, Brody, Nell), keep things lively there.
If you read the Austin arc (which currently has the most books), readers should start with Pride Mates—however, I do try to make sure each book can be understood on its own.The Las Vegas arc begins with Wild Cat, but again, I try to make sure I explain as I go along.Many readers have said they could follow even when they jumped into the middle of the series, but if you like to begin at the beginning, it’s Pride Mates.
6. What are your guilty pleasures in life?
I stopped feeling guilty about enjoying myself years ago, LOL. I work hard; I get to enjoy a few things. I do love to read, and I’ll read anything. I think it’s ridiculous when people say you should only read certain kinds of books, or books that are “good for you.” Read what you want. Read everything. People who are well-read are smart enough to know what books are excellent and which ones are crap.
My other indulgence is miniatures. I build dollhouses and rooms, and decorate them inside and out. I find it therapeutic (except when I drop a tiny piece on the floor and can’t find it). I love creating beautiful spaces—easier to do it in miniature than in full size.
7. Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
The dollhouse miniatures of course. I also dabble in music—I play flute and guitar, not brilliantly, but well enough to enjoy myself. I’ve been known to accompany my more talented musician friends either with these instruments or voice. I love to cook, but rarely have time for it anymore, sadly. Writing takes up most of my time, but I enjoy stepping back into these hobbies to catch my breath.
8. What was the last amazing book you read?
The Day of the Jackal. It’s been out for, what, thirty-some years? And I’d never read it. It was celebrated when it came out, and I understand why. It’s an excellent read. Anyone wanting to write thrillers should definitely read it.
9. Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?
Everyplace! I can read anywhere. I read ebooks on my iPhone, which is nice, because I can whip the phone out of my purse or pocket whenever I get stuck somewhere, and have a library at my fingertips. That’s not to say I don’t read paper books any more. I do. I carry one around in my purse all the time too. I often am reading a print book at the same time I’m reading a different ebook.
10. What can readers expect next from you?
So many things! At the end of December (12/31/12), will be the next in my historical Mackenzies series—The Seduction of Elliot McBride. Comes out New Year’s Eve (unless the Mayans are right).
I just released Nightwalkerin my Allyson James side of things, Book 4 of the Stormwalker series. It’s out in e- and print.
Next year will come more Shifters books with a couple full-length stories (Tiger Magic,the next hero; a short book for Ellison, and a novella in the Unbound anthology in March).
I plan to continue my Captain Lacey Regency Mystery series (as Ashley Gardner), and the Tales of the Shareem series (as Allyson James), as well as more Shifters, Stormwalker, and Mackenzies!
11. Where can readers find you on the web?
Website: http://www.jennifersromances.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/JenniferAshleyAllysonJamesAshleyGardnerTwitter: @JennAllysonBlog: http://www.jennifersromances.blogspot.com
12. Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
From Mate Claimed, by Jennifer Ashley
Iona didn’t see Eric between church and restaurant, nor did she when she returned home to finish prepping for Nicole’s party. Nicole and her friends arrived soon after, and the party started to swing.
Well toward midnight, the doorbell rang. Iona pretended to be busy in the kitchen, and Nicole’s friends goaded Nicole to answer it.
Nicole screamed with laughter when a fireman sauntered into the house, complete with hose, and started shedding his gear in the living room. The women surrounded him while he danced to a thumping beat, and Iona watched from the doorway with a smile.
The music wound louder. The music, combined with the women’s excitement, embraced Iona and made her want to dance too. The living room was dim except for the middle where the stripper gyrated—someone had turned on one of Iona’s ceiling spots and killed the rest of the lights. The girls danced with him, Nicole laughing as the man wrapped his hose around her.
Nicole spotted Iona in the doorway. “Come on, Iona,” she yelled. “You know you love to dance!”
Iona shouldn’t. Too dangerous. But the music called to her, the rhythm synching with some rhythm inside her body. The thrum, thrum, thrum was fierce and primal.
The ladies whooped as Iona kicked her shoes off and danced in. The stripper grinned, a good sport, and wrapped the end of his fire hose around her waist.
Iona raised her arms in the dance, her blood getting hot, but not because the guy was attractive. He smelled too much of human sweat and cologne, not a good combination to a Shifter. Eric always smelled clean, like wind and the night.
But Iona was loving the dance, her hips swaying, the beat of the music like the rhythm of sex. The stripper was a good dancer, smoothly pulling Iona into synch with him. He had Iona straddling his knee, locking her in close as they rocked together. The other ladies whooped and screamed.
The noise and heat grew suddenly too intense. The panther inside Iona wanted to tear away from the man who held her, swat him aside, and then run around the room, ripping down decorations like an unruly kitten. Then she’d devour the entire hors d’oeuvre tray, especially all the shrimp cocktail. Yum.
Control, Eric had told her. You can control it.
Maybe if she’d grown up Shifter with years of training and discipline, she could have.The fireman leaned in and tried to kiss her. Iona forced a laugh, though she wanted to bite his face off. She whirled so hard she untangled from the hose and was halfway across the room before he could stop her.
She nearly ran away from him, but two of the other girls instantly took her place, and the fireman turned to them, not minding. Breathing hard, Iona slipped out of the room into the back hall, seeking peace in the relative coolness and darkness.
Two strong arms folded around her from behind. Iona found herself trapped back against a hard male chest, while a grating voice said in her ear, “No, Iona. You belong to me.”
“Eric, what the hell are you doing here?”
For answer, Eric turned her around and pressed her into the wall.
His kiss stole her breath, his lips forcing her mouth open, teeth scraping. The thump of the music in the other room pulsed through her, and she curled her fingers on Eric’s chest. Fingers became claws, tearing Eric’s shirt.
Eric shed the shirt and turned them together so that now his back was against the wall. “If you want to feast on someone, you feast on me.”

For the giveaway, comment on why you like shape-shifter romances (or why you don’t!) to win a signed copy of Mate  Claimed or other of my Shifters books of your choice.)
Open to US Shipping
Thanks so much!
Best,
Jennifer Ashley

Interview with Amber Garza

Please tell us about your latest release.
Dazzle is about sixteen-year-old Delaney Scott. Delaney was born with a special gift, but it also comes with a price. She falls for a boy named Sam, who is forbidden. Only he knows more about her than she thinks, and he has his own set of secrets.
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?
Yes, I usually flip through the baby name book and look for names that coincide with the attributes of the characters. But sometimes I just like a name and it will sound like the character to me so I’ll pick it.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
I loved writing Sam. There was just something about him. I connected with his character so much. I think I sort of fell in love with him, if that’s possible. *swoon*
Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?
Dazzle takes place in a made-up town – the Town of Edenly. It’s the first time I’ve set one of my books in a place that wasn’t real, and I had a blast with it. I could make up whatever I wanted for the town. I tried to describe the town in intricate details so the reader would get a good sense of this fictional world.
With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as stand alones?
No, the books should not be read alone. There are still secrets yet to be revealed from this book that will be uncovered over the course of the next three books. Also, Shatter (Book 2) starts off where Dazzle (book 1) leaves off. When the reader finishes Dazzle there will still be a lot of unanswered questions.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
Not really. Always the first few chapters are difficult for me, but once I push through I’m good. At about Chapter Four I get immersed in the story and there’s no turning back. For me the challenge is usually trying to type as fast as my thoughts. So badly I want to get the scenes out of my head and onto the paper.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
Wine, candy, coffee.
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
I sing, so I love music. I also love to read, but I’m sure that’s a no-brainer. I spend way too much time on Facebook.
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?
I like to read in bed on a cold night with my covers on.
Where can readers find you on the web?
ambergarza.wordpress.com
Also, on facebook under Amber Garza, authorOr twitter under ambermg
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
He turns to me. I lift my chin and he tilts his face toward mine. Our lips meet and I reach up to grab his neck. His mouth feels so good. Kissing him is nothing like kissing Micah. The times when Micah and I kissed it was comfortable and relaxing, like eating ice cream or watching my favorite movie. Kissing Sam is like riding a roller coaster or jumping off a cliff into freezing cold water. It’s explosive and wild and leaves me breathless. But it always leaves me wanting more.


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PromoA Bibliophile's Thoughts on Bookshttp://bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com/
PromoKeeping Up With The Rheinlander'shttp://mnmrheinlander.com
ReviewSimple Bookshttp://simple-books.blogspot.com
PromoSara In Booklandhttp://sarainbooklandblog.blogspot.it/
PromoStuffed Shelveswww.stuffedshelves.com
PromoA Dream Within A Dreamhttp://adreamwithindream.blogspot.com
Promo A Soul Unsung http://soulunsung.blogspot
Guest PostLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
Promo and reviewBooks, Books, and More Bookshttp://dream-reader-dreamer2229.blogspot.com/
Guest PostMom With A Kindlehttps://momwithakindle.blogspot.com
InterviewFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
Guest BlogRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
InterviewThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
Sapphyria's Book Reviews: http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/



DazzleBook One Delaney’s Gift SeriesBy Amber Garza
Genre: YA Paranormal
Sixteen-year-old Delaney Scott possesses a special gift. Ever since she was a child, she has known about her calling and the duty she’s expected to fulfill.
However, all Delaney wants is to be normal. That’s why she is drawn to Sam. He can offer her the life she’s always desired. Only Sam has secrets of his own.
Secrets that are deadly. Secrets that can change everything.
Delaney's Gift Series - http://www.delaneysgiftseries.wordpress.com/
About the Author:


Amber Garza lives in California with her amazing husband, and two beautiful children. Amber has had a passion for writing since she was a little girl, making books out of notebook paper and staples. As an adult she has worked hard to make her dream of being a published a reality.


She is the author of Christian teen thrillers- the Prowl Trilogy, and the suspense novel, Engraved.

Dazzle is the first book in her new young adult paranormal romance series.
author blog http://www.ambergarza.wordpress.com/
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Killian McRae

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
Well, I’m a Scorpio. I like long walks on the beach, but candlelit dinners are a bit creepy. I’ve released three novels, one novella, and a few shorts to date, almost each one in a different genre. PURE & SINFUL is my first paranormal romance. I’ve always been drawn to works like Dark Shadows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, witch stories, etc. I wanted to try out this genre and see if it sang to me. It did sing to me. Like Mariah Carey in her prime.
What inspired you to write this book?
I like the idea of an agnostic witch being made God’s warrior. It’s like God is outsourcing his demon fighting. And then, to set a seemingly unattainable man as her love interest… Temptation is a recurring theme in PURE & SINFUL and I admit, I gave into my own temptations on this aspect.
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?
I first come to know my character’s ethnic backgrounds, then I try to find names with meanings or associations that fit them. For example, Dionysius Zitka. Dionysius was the name of one of the Greek gods. My Dionysius is, in fact, only a demigod (his father was Zeus, his mother a patent lawyer from New Jersey). Zitka is borrowed and contorted from Mike Ditka, the famous football player. My “Dee” is a manly man, not be trifled with, but he also has a tender, sarcastic, and witty edge to him. 
Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
Riona, my heroine, was quite a challenge. I wanted her to be strong and self-dependent, but also a little too overly confident to get her in trouble. The key was not to make her annoying in her confidence.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
Demon Jerry Romani was a hoot. Jerry doesn’t conform to politically correct, and he’s not afraid to be unpopular. He also doesn’t know how to stop from letting his own tongue get him in to trouble (and give the reader a chuckle.)
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 a good idea who my characters are when I sit down to write, but their idiosyncrasies reveal themselves to me slowly. Like how Marcello Angeletti works with troubled youth. I knew they guy had a community service-orientated side to him, but I didn’t know what form it would take. I knew that Dee Zitka uses sex as therapy, but until I started writing him, I didn’t know just how deep his appreciation for women went, even before they hit the sheets. Or that despite being a local Lothario, that what he really wants out of life is 2.5 kids, a little house, and a picket fence.

What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
There’s a seen between Riona and Marc where they first bridge into an emotional intimacy. Riona, having had romantic relationships, recognizes what’s going on right away, but Marc as a catholic priest is completely clueless.
His thumb pressed into her bottom lip, and though she was certain the feeling was one-sided, she couldn’t help but go weak in the knees.
Which was so not penciled into her knees’ daily schedule.
Standing up straight, eyes shooting open, Riona ground out the words through clenched teeth. “Will you please stop doing that?”
Marc pulled back his hand and his warmth. “Doing what?”
“Making me feel like goo,” she hissed. “I get it, you don’t like me, but you don’t have to toy around with my emotions just to be an ass. God, you’re like… Antarctica one second, then Brazil the next. Could you maybe shoot for that subtle indifference bordering on contempt you had pinned down for so long?”
“I make you feel like goo?” It was as though he’d been accused of some heinous crime or fault, like being a fan of strip bocce ball. An obvious response eluded him.
Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?
Yes, the extent to which different religions vary about which archangels there are. Gabriel and Michael are pretty universal, but outside that it’s a free-for-all.
What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes?
Pretended to be French kissing for five seconds. Timed, mind you.  On my arm.
Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?
The world functions for most people the same. My characters have some magical abilities, which are used for both special and mundane reasons. (i.e. Riona discovers she can change the channels on her TV with magic.)  One slight change is the concept of damnation and what can get you there. This was important to lay down, since one of my characters is a priest. Most humans’ afterlife is determined by how much they lived up to their own values, not some higher body’s edicts. Some moral codes remain absolute of course, i.e. murder is pretty much a big no-no. Marc, the priest, is an exemption to what is known as “Moral Right Truth” or MRT. As is explained to Riona, his vows to the church mean that his fate is determined by upholding morality as prescribed by the Catholic Church.
Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?
Jerry has my wit. It’s gotten both of us into trouble.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
Not so much. My problem is time management of stories I want to write. I have lots of ideas, not so much time.
Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?
After I complete a manuscript, I *listen* to the whole thing as my first edit. I use a text-to-speech engine and listen for continuity, rhythm, mistakes, repeated words, etc.
Do you write in different genres?
Yes, oh yes. I have releases in historical romance, epic fantasy, speculative fiction, contemporary romance, and now, paranormal romance. One of my works-in-progress is a time-travel thriller. Why limit yourself when you can *not* limit yourself?
Do you find it difficult to write in multiple genres?
No, it’s like putting on different clothes to match the weather. Though sometimes, I wish I could suddenly have a witch pop up in a non-paranormal story and curse someone.
When did you consider yourself a writer?
In tenth grade, when I finished my first novel. JBut I didn’t consider myself an author until I my first book released in the Fall of 2010.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
Ice cream, music, music, music, my dog, and walking. If I walk my dog while eating ice cream and my ipod is going, I feel like I need to go to confession.
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
I used to be an opera singer, and still am fanatical about music. I also like to browse real estate listings for houses I can’t afford.
What was the last amazing book you read?
“Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m a fiction junkie, but nothing hits me in the gut and makes me feel in awe like non-fiction when it’s well written. Hillenbrand (also the author of “Seabiscuit”) is a master.
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?
About half of my reading time takes place on the treadmill. While not the most comfortable, it is the place where reading serves to distract me from life best. If I can’t find my ipad or I find upon arriving to the gym that my book is over or missing from it, I’ll skip the workout. I can’t endure it without.
What can readers expect next from you?
Crying, with a good chance of whining. No, not what you’re after? I’m hard at work on the sequel to Pure & Sinful, which I hope to have ready for a Spring 2013 release. I’m also working on the second book in the Andresium series, and a time-travel thriller. The audiobook of A LOVE BY ANY MEAUSRE will also be coming out later this fall.
Where can readers find you on the web?
Website: www.killianmcrae.comTwitter: @killianmcraeFacebook: www.facebook.com/authorkillianmcrae
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
But of course. : )  In this scene, the Pure Souls have been sent into a catholic high school to sniff out a demon presence. They infiltrate by posing as substitute teachers, but being “teacherly” is so not Riona’s thing.
Marc’s face screwed up in confusion as her acidic tone hit. “Okay, don’t get your panties in a bunch. Remember, they’re just kids. Have a little patience.”
“Rather opinionated for teenagers, if you ask me.” Riona chewed the words like leather. “Is this a Catholic thing? Being overly annoying?”
“No, I think it’s more of a witch thing, being easily annoyed.” 
She couldn’t tell if he was trying to piss her off on purpose, or if it was just a side effect of his hissy attitude. Riona was so not in the mood to be the bigger person and just eat up the insult.
“Oh, you mean like being sexually frustrated is a priest thing? After the locker room, I couldn’t help but wonder if you had… Ah!”
When she found herself pressed by Marc’s hard body into the bank of lockers behind her, the sensations that filled her from tip to toe overwhelmed her. Confusion, fear, lust, and relief competed for dominance. One of Marc’s hands formed a vise around her wrist, holding her left hand high over her head. The other shifted through motions right before her throat, as though it trying to decide of it should strangle her or hold her chin in place for when he leaned in to claim her lips. His eyes locked onto her mouth, but hers took in the full mask of desire and arrogance covering his face.
“Don’t confuse frustration with abstention.”





October 8 Tour IntroRoxanne's Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
October 8 ReviewMommy and We http://www.mommyandwelikeit.com
October 9 PromoFreda's Voice http://fredasvoice.blogspot.ca
October 10 InterviewFang-tasic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
October 11 PromoRabid Reads – http://www.rabidreads.ca
October 15 Promo and reviewStuffed Shelveswww.stuffedshelves.com
October 17 ReviewWTF Are You Reading?http://wtfareyoureading.com
October 22 Guest blog and reviewFangs, Wands & Fairydust http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/
October 23 Promo and reviewCherie Readshttp://cheriereads.blogspot.com/
October 24 PromoThe Book Hoard: http://www.thebookhoard.com
October 27 Guest blogSMARTMOUTHTEXAN www.smartmouthtexan.wordpress.com
October 29 Interview and reviewMy Escape  http://myescape84.blogspot.com
October 30 PromoNomi’s Paranormal Palacehttp://nomisparanormalpalace.blogspot.com.au
October 31 Guest blogwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
November 2 Interview and reviewwww.vividumas.wordpress.com
November 3 Guest blog and reviewAlways a Booklover – http://alwaysabooklover.blogspot.com
November 4 ReviewStressed Rach http://StressedRach.co.uk
November 5 review Crossroads http://www.cossroadreviews.com
November 5 Character Interview and reviewOn the Broomstickhttp://onthebroomstick.blogspot.com/
November 15 Feature in Bewitching Magazine




Pure and SinfulBy Killian McRae
Book Description:
Statistician Riona Dade knows all about probabilities. Still, even she'd tell you the chances of discovering you’re a witch, being appointed to the demon-slaying trio known as the Pure Souls, and finding yourself sinfully attracted to a catholic priest who uses amen and other four-lettered words with equal enthusiasm are pretty slim. Also learning your ex was once Hell’s first-round draft pick, and realizing you're a prize catch for Satan’s soul-damning quota leaves a girl feeling like she just won the lottery while being struck by lightning while riding a unicorn across Atlantis.

Trying to keep her mind off role playing the Thornbirds with Father Angeletti, Riona leads the Pure Souls against a maniacal menagerie of Mephistopheles’s minions plaguing greater Boston. Giving in to lust is a direct flight to damnation for both her and the priest, leading Riona to distract herself by striking up a romance with her new, foxy neighbor, Lucy. But she can't shake her attraction to Marcello, and as the tension between them grows thicker than a lumberjack’s beard, temptation may become too difficult to resist.

How long can they deny the pull growing between them, knowing there will be Hell to pay? 
About the Author:
Killian McRae would tell you that she is a rather boring lass, an authoress whose characters’ lives are so much more exciting than her own. She would be right. Sadly, this sarcastic lexophile leads a rather mundane existence in the San Francisco Bay Area. She once dreamed of being the female Indiana Jones, and to that end she earned a degree in Middle Eastern History from the University of Michigan. However, when she learned that real archaeologist spend more time lovingly removing dust with toothbrushes from shards of pottery than outrunning intriguing villains with exotic accents, she decided to become a writer instead. She writes across many genres, including science fiction, fantasy, romance, and historical fiction.
facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/authorkillianmcrae
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15845662-pure-sinful
twitter: @killianmcrae
website: www.killianmcrae.com
blog: authorkillianmcrae.blogspot.com
google+: https://plus.google.com/107071172289770407340/posts
youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/killianmcrae

The Vampire Emporium

The Emporium will be open from 11 a.m - 5 p.m. 
The Vampire Emporium features a fangsmith, hairstylist, make up artist, candle maker, glassware, paranormal authors signing their books and much much more. 

$5 to get in to the Emporium

Feral Fangsmithing will be making custom fangs at the Vampire Emporium, on a first come/first served basis. Get there early to ensure that you will have your custom fangs for the Vampire Ball! 



HAIR BY TEELA

Teela is accepting appointments to style your hair for the Vampire Ball. Teela is an award winning updo stylist. Hair appointments during the Vampire Emporium on October 27, 2012 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Masonic Temple in Flint. 

Call Teela at 810-955-0402 and make your appointment.


Massages by Jasmin - 

Jasmin will be available at the Vampire Emporium, for massages. Don't let the stress of getting ready prevent you from enjoying a fangtastic evening. 


BELLA MORTE will be at the Emporium for a special performace, at 3:30 p.m. geared toward those under the age of 21.  

concert tickets are $10 and can be purchased at www.vertigosvampireball.com or by calling 810-239-7469. 

Tickets will also available at the door. 

Bella Morte sings songs of love and loss, hope and despair. By combining electronics, graveyard ballads, emotive storytelling and unique guitar riffs, Bella Morte have developed a style that is solely their own. They have released 2 EPs and 7 full-length albums, the latest (titled “Before the Flood”) released in 2011 by Metropolis Records. As the band continues to tour the world and write new material, they remain eternally thankful to have been able to make a living doing what they love: singing songs about the dead and winning over the hearts of the living along the way.

Several authors will be at the Emporium signing their books :


Roxanne Rhoads www.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/RoxanneRhoadsAuthor
Roxanne will be signing:
Hex and the Single Witch: Vehicle City Vampires Book One

Paranormal Pleasures: Ten Tales of Supernatural Seduction
Hex and the Single Witch Vehicle City Vampires Book OneBy Roxanne Rhoads
Anwyn Rose is descended from a long line of powerful witches yet she can barely cast spells young witchlings have mastered. She has one functioning witch gift, the power of knowing, which she puts to good use as a Detective on Flint’s Preternatural Investigation Team (aka the P.I.T. Crew)
It’s a new era in Vehicle City, supernaturals are running the town. 
The P.I.T has their hands full with paranormal crimes. Top priority is a serial killer, who appears to be a vampire, draining young women in the city.
Anwyn is on the case with her sexy partner Detective Mike Malone. 
Complicating things is her relationship Galen, a vampire who looks more guilty than innocent, although Anwyn trusts her instincts even if her power is on the fritz.
Mysterious spells, compromising situations, and a possible demon on the loose make it hard to focus on the case, but Anwyn has to make things right before the human police execute the wrong vampire.
Hex and the Single Witch contains magick, a little bit of mystery, a lot of supernatural mayhem, and a sexy love triangle that will leave you wanting more.

Amazon Kindle     Smashwords   Barnes and Noble    Print

About the Author:
Story strumpet, tome loving tart, eccentric night owl...these words describe book publicist and erotic romance author Roxanne Rhoads.
When not fulfilling one the many roles being a wife and mother of three require, Roxanne's world revolves around words...reading them, writing them, editing them, and talking about them. In addition to writing her own stories she loves to read, promote and review what others write.
Roxanne is the owner of Bewitching Book Tours and operates Fang-tastic Books, a book blog dedicated to paranormal and urban fantasy books.
When not reading, writing, or promoting Roxanne loves to hang out with her family, craft, garden and search for unique vintage finds.

Megan J Parker
http://www.emjayart.com/writing.html http://www.facebook.com/Color.Me.Blood.Red/info
Megan J. Parker lives in a small town in Upstate NY with her fiancee and two devil kitties. She loves all things art and is usually writing, designing or editing videos.She started with writing poetry before slowly developing into writing short stories and finally, her work developed into novels.

Scarlet Night
Zane Murdoch just got a tattoo.
The problem is, the tattoos are a magically infused curse that turns him into a raging beast and the only hope he has of curing it is absolving his rage. Seems simple enough until he and his clan are nearly demolished in a powerful attack. Now Zane finds himself involved in a paranormal battle of mystical proportions and breaking the curse may be a bit more challenging than he thought.
Serena Vailean is alone in the world and quite frankly that's how she likes it…
At least until she finds a way to bring back her dead lover, Devon Thomas. 
Unfortunately for her, plans have a nasty way of changing and she finds herself thrust back into the world she's been trying so desperately to escape. Her only hope is to seek help from the very people she has gone to great lengths to avoid.
As an epic battle approaches, Serena and Zane must rely on each other and overcome their personal demons if they plan to survive. Unfortunately, caging a demon makes them all the harder to control.

Nathan Squiers http://www.nathansquiers.com/ http://www.facebook.com/Nathan.Squiers

Nathan Squiers (The Literary Dark Prince) is a resident of upstate New York where he lives with his loving fiancé and two demonic beings that have, for the time being, chosen to disguise themselves as cats (incredibly demanding and out-of-control cats). Living day-by-day on a steady diet of body modification and potentially lethal doses of caffeine, he often escapes reality through novels, comics & manga, movies & anime, and (of course) his own writing. When he's not immersed in the realm of fiction (be it his own or someone else's), he can be found in the chair of a piercing studio/tattoo parlor or reacquainting himself with the real world (more often-than-not against his will). Visit Nathan and find out more about him and his work at www.nathansquiers.com

“Crimson Shadow: Noir” (book #1 of the CS series)“Curtain Call: A Death Metal Novel” (book #1 of the DM series)

Xander Stryker wants to die.
Ever since witnessing his mother's murder at the hands of his abusive stepfather when he was a boy, he has spent every day trying to reach that goal. But every night he's denied the death he craves.
When his eighteenth birthday approaches, an unforeseen chance for change is offered when his life is plunged into chaos and he's dragged into a supernatural world of vampires and other creatures of darkness. Caught in the depths of this new reality, mysteries of his supernatural lineage begin to unravel and Xander is given the ultimate choice:
Continue on with his wretched life or begin a new one as the vampire he was always meant to be.
Unfortunately, the supernatural world can be just as unforgiving and brutal as any other and Xander's choice is met with disastrous consequences. Now, with the chaos of the new world pressing down on him, his past reemerges and once again threatens to crush him. Will Xander be able to use his new strength to conquer his fears, or will he succumb to his own bloody darkness...
... and allow it to finally destroy him.

Interview with B. Lloyd

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
 I’ve grown up in different parts of the world, often in buildings which appeared to have something . . .not quite right about them; strange encounters that did not make sense at the time, tales of witch doctors, hauntings and the inexplicable – these all left me intrigued (and of course, the usual gamut of fictional ghost tales without which I believe no library is truly complete !)
What inspired you to write this book?
This year marks the (sesqui)centenary of M.R.James’s birth; I thought I would celebrate in my own way by writing a ghost story. Once I started thinking about it, images came into my mind of a rotting bouquet and dresses made of cobwebs; from there the story of a haunted house began to take shape.
Please tell us about your latest release.
It’s a ghost tale – actually, a novelette; a bit longer than a short story, not long enough to be a novella. Set between the 1560s and  1930s, it has cobwebs, cocktails and crises - I hope in an entertaining fashion.
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?
My first thought is always to check that the names would have been used in the period: it’s the first giveaway of a mind not quite in tune with the period they are writing about, if the name is not right.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
As it is a short tale, I had only the briefest of acquaintances with them all, but I think I liked Gerry Torbin and Lydia Maydew the best. Gerry is’a baggy haystack in tweeds’, a bookish don, often unaware of what’s happening around him. Lydia is the eldest daughter acting as hostess in her parents’ absence and doing her best to keep things on an even keel : despite unpredictable boilers and ‘something nasty in the attic’.
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?
They tend to jump into my head, usually as hazy images rather than words. I can see them moving about; they sit in the wings awaiting their cues – or else they barge in while I am trying  to  write, interrupting each other – and I occasionally let them continue, depending on how relevant they are to plot.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
In writing as with painting, I usually (well, pretty much always) have several different stories on the go – it’s finding the time to have a writer’s block that’s more of a problem!  But I think having a range of worlds to visit helps prevent writer’s block: if I am sticking on a point in the one story, I can leave it, go to another story(and world) and carry on with that. Occasionally the mind becomes stale or tired; then it’s time to stand back, go and do something else and come back to it fresh.
Do you write in different genres?
Mystery, paranormal – I am also interested in steampunkery and am experimenting with it (under another guise…)
When did you consider yourself a writer?
Hard to say; I have always scribbled, ever since I could string letters together – and I still think of  myself as a scribbler, a doodler; a
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
I paint and illustrate as well– ideally, I try to balance these two out; at the moment I have two to three book covers to design for a fellow writer, and a book to finish illustrating before spring…. I would like to spend more time on set design (model making !) but time gets eaten up in so many things. I do have a fascination with animation, and enjoy creating trailers for books.
What was the last amazing book you read?
Probably Mr Norrell and Jonathan Strange; it is a wonderful amble in the countryside for me, a lovely book to have by me during the summertime.
What can readers expect next from you?
There is a ghost anthology in the planning with fellow authors : again, to chime in with the M.R.James centenary. With any luck it will be ready before Christmas.  I have also  completed  a full-length mystery novel which is with a publisher at present.
Where can readers find you on the web?
These are the places where I am most active:@AuthorsAnonhttp://lloydanon.wordpress.com/ http://authorsanon.wordpress.com/https://plus.google.com/u/0/108970910013709267239/postshttp://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6466142.B_Lloyd
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
Hmmmm, perhaps the opening ….When Aubrey Marchant's engagement to Eleanor Maydew was announced to his friends, he received mixed blessings.‘The Maydews are a bohemian lot – not many servants, even before the War.’‘Keen on brown bread and vegetables – don't expect too much in the way of creature comforts.’‘Brave chap, I am sure you'll find the country air bracing.’‘And Eleanor comes of good stock, too. Never mind the burst water pipes.’Aubrey managed to shrug off most of these under a jocular guise. One of his closest friends however, let slip something that would come back to him later.‘I wouldn't mind the rest of it – only I believe it may be a House of Spirits. Hope you can sleep all right at nights.’Aubrey laughed at the time.
The Maydews’ house was indeed  lacking some of the more modern conveniences – but the fireplaces were still fully functional and well stoked most evenings (for the early summer air still proved a little chill), his room was beautifully furnished, and, it had to be said, fairly draught-proof.May, the middle sister, had been busy in the garden, to the mute distress of Hicks the gardener. However, the fruits of her labour could not be denied: huge creamy roses, squeezed in with blue delphiniums, nodded heavy-headed in their vases, offering a warm, fragrant welcome.Bertie, Eleanor’s brother, collected Aubrey from the station and in his usual breezy fashion extolled the virtues of countryside versus city. ‘There are some wonderful walks – and we have a bicycle or two; you do cycle?’Aubrey had not been in a saddle of any kind since schooldays, and felt no very urgent need to renew the acquaintance; however, he dutifully mustered some semblance of enthusiasm for things generally rustic.‘Gregory is already here,’ continued Bertie, once they were established in the family hearth, ‘perhaps you met him at the Athenaeum? – old chum from ’Varsity, doing a bit of research, so he’ll probably spend most of his time in the library.’  ‘Yes, quite a full house – we’re expecting our cousin Penny tomorrow,’ added Lydia, the eldest of the Maydews and titular head of the family in their parents’ absence. ‘And there will be some more people dropping in over the weekend – actor friends of Bertie’s.’‘Freddy Drew is a stage director actually, and a pretty good one at that, too,’ corrected Bertie. ‘He’s putting on a new production; they’re touring the counties and he asked me if I could put a few of them up for a couple of nights while they do Dulton, so of course I said yes. Thought it would be fun.’‘I’m sure it will be, Bertie, but we still need to find the rooms for them to sleep in!’ This mild remonstrance from Lydia, who was taking her responsibilities seriously. She drew a mock sigh. ‘Well, we’ll open up the old wing; or perhaps a few people could sleep at Mrs Beasley’s. Although what we shall do if the parents decide to cut it all short and head home in the middle …’‘Egypt, is it?’‘The last I heard, they were heading for Switzerland, then up to Paris.’ The parents had been on a long planned tour since the spring, in bohemian tradition; they were both artistic by nature: Maydew père wrote poetry, Eunice his wife was a watercolourist. So far, letters home had been peppered with comments on the view from the hotel window, the latest culinary disaster and how difficult it was to find decent tea. Art had not featured heavily.
‘I like a bit of theatre when I have the time,’ said Aubrey, with enthusiasm. ‘Yes, Bertie, are we going to be invited to the opening night?’ asked May.‘But of course! He’s practically demanded our presence – and a dinner at Matheson’s afterwards!’‘Matheson’s, eh … ’ ‘What is the play?’‘Oh some old thing they’ve just re-discovered, which had been sitting around in a library for an age – apparently it might be an early work by the Bard, although naturally that’s all very much in dispute. No doubt it will be quite a giggle –’‘Oooh, men in tights!’‘Any girls in tights?’‘Unlikely; ain’t a pantomime after all – ruffs and what do they call’em – farthingales, more like.’‘Powder and wigs … ’‘Gadzooks and by Bacchus and so on. Yes, it will probably be quite hopeless. Still, Freddy does his stuff well. I shall go if nobody else does.’‘Don’t be silly, Bertie, of course we shall all come. It will be a lark.’
No talk of burst pipes as yet. There was an abundance of brown bread, however.  But while the Maydews tended to eat raw carrots and salad, their cook ensured there was meat for their guests. Aubrey retired to bed on a comfortable stomach and with a small framed photograph of his intended. Eleanor was quite the most refined of eligible young women in his circle; ladylike and well aware of the niceties of table-setting, the importance of crisp bed linen and well-starched collars … Aubrey slept contentedly, his slumber only slightly impinged upon by some distant, inconsistent background sound which he couldn’t quite place.

B.LloydUngentle Sleep, a ghost tale
Haunted House Tour Full Schedule : http://authorsanonnews.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/314/
 



October 8 Guest blogMondays as part of the paranormal perceptions serieshttp://www.pwcreighton.com/surveillance-report/
October 8 Promohttp://jennifermcconnel.wordpress.com/
October 9 InterviewFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
October 10 Guest blog
Mama Knows Books 
http://mamaknowsbooks.blogspot.com  


October 11 InterviewCreatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
October 12 guest blogBanshees, Books, & Baseball LSMurphy.com
October 13 guest blog/promoLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisaworldofbooks.net
October 14 PromoMy Life Through a Bookhttp://fictionaditction.wordpress.com/
October 15 Guest blogNot Now...Mommy's Reading www.mommysreading.com


Ungentle Sleep
B.Lloyd
Genre: paranormal/historical fictionPublisher: Captive Press
ASIN: B008VIJFLI
Number of pages: approx 69Word Count: 13,146Cover Artist: B.Lloyd
Book Trailer
Amazon UK    Amazon US

Book Description:Even the rats run away.
A ghost tale, almost not quite long enough to qualify as a novelette, created in celebration of M.R.James’s 150th anniversary.
About the Author:
A Bustle attached to a keyboard, occasionally to be seen floating on a canal …
After studying Early Music followed by a brief career in concert performance, the Bustle exchanged vocal parts for less vocal arts i.e. a Diploma from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia.
Her inky mess, both graphic and verbal, can be found in various regions of the Web, and appendaged to good people’s works (for no visible reason that she can understand).
http://about.me/B.Lloyd
www.lloydanon.wordpress.com
www.authorsanon.wordpress.com
Twitter: @AuthorsANon
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6466142.B_Lloyd
Google + : http://goo.gl/pbb2E
Authonomy.com: http://www.authonomy.com/writing-community/profile/c1be064a-a4fd-4ad0-b217-f4e29c07cfdd/b-lloyd/

Character Interview Whisper's Edge Tour

Character Interview: Drake
Hi all, my name’s Mica. I’m a recurring character in the Whisper Walker Series, though up until the latter part of Whisper’s Edge I was relegated to mostly “extras” kind of stuff. I’m a sentry for the Sven Guild and today I’m excited to have the Guild’s top Acquisitions Specialist – Hunter, for our purposes­ – here to let me question like one of our prisoners.
Mica: Hi Drake. How are you?
Drake: ~looks snubbed~ Like a prisoner? Really? I could destroy you with barely lifting a finger. “Question like a prisoner.” ~snort~
Mica: Ahem… That may not have been the best analogy. I haven’t been getting much sleep lately. My name is up for The List, and I don’t have any clue who to choose yet. So, I’m a little stressed. Destroy me? Isn’t that, a little…harsh?
Drake: ~chuckles~ Meh, maybe. It’s all in jest, of course. Though, I could seriously take you.
Mica: Well, yeah. You could take anybody in the Guild. Okay, back on task. What does you job as a Hunter entail?
Drake: I thought you told me you were going to address my occupation by its official and, I might say so myself, awesome title, Acquisitions Specialist.
Mica: Oops. Now, shut up and answer.
Drake: ~glowers~ Okay, an Acquisitions Specialist is in charge of obtaining materials of all types for use in the Guild. When not on official Guild duty, such as getting filter supplies for Ash season, many of us freelance out for the right price. I’m far more selective than the others; I’m not a lowly errand boy and I never miss my target.
Mica: Yes, I know. Now, put your ego away before you fall out of your chair from your large head.
Drake: ~blushes~ Sorry. You know how much I like to talk about myself.
Mica: Drake, you hatetalking about yourself. Hence all of the trouble you get in with Kelsie. Now, what’s your favorite drink?
Drake: ~raises eyebrow~ Coffee?
Mica: Are you asking me what it is? I would think at seventeen that you’d know by now.
Drake: Well, yes, you just threw me with your abrupt topic change. Coffee.
Mica: ~rolls eyes~ Keep up, would ya?  I mean, I know Kelsie is the smart one of your two, but, really? When you receive a job, whether from the Guild or private, how do you go about finding and obtaining the target?
Drake: Ooh. Well, everything is different.
Mica: Duh.
Drake: ~glares~ Let me finish. Let’s say that it’s for a small piece of colored or tempered glass that could be used for anything from scientific purposes, to decorative purposes. Logically, a material like that is going to be near a Waste City. But, I’ve spent enough time in Seattle to know that it’s been picked clean. That means I need to hit smaller towns, farther inland from the water. Those are the ones that are least likely to be picked over. The downside: mutants love those locations. Knowing that, I will gear up accordingly, and take extra weapons and protective gear that I normally wouldn’t take because of the weight. Something that most people don’t get, is that once you find whatever it is you’re looking for, you still have to get it back to the Guild past more mutants and dangerous creatures. Even other Hunters and Guilds.
Mica: Yeah. Hence the reason you also have to be an incredible fighter. You’re definitely built for it, though. Like a cat.
Drake: ~blushes~ Thanks? I think?
Mica: ~looks away awkwardly~ That’s all I have time for today, Drake. I must go give Boots something to do to make sure he doesn’t piss off Kelsie and get himself in trouble. Thanks for showing up.
Drake: ~laughs uncontrollably, sounding a little like a chipmunk~ Yes, Boots has a tendency to say all the wrong things around Kelsie. Did you hear this morning when he said those pants made her thighs look big?
Mica: ~looks horrified~
Drake: ~howls in laughter~ So. Freaking. Funny. I thought she was going to kill him!
Mica: That’s awesome. But, seriously, I need to go before he really does get himself killed. Bye.

Whisper’s EdgeWhisper Walker Series – Book 2
London Cole
Genre: Young-Adult Paranormal Dystopian
Word Count: 59k
Cover Artist: Emma Michaels
Amazon     Barnes and Noble     Kobo
Book Description:
Drake and Kelsie quickly discover life won't be quite the same after getting their new abilities, but they hope everything will settle into a sort of normalcy. It doesn't take long for them to realize it's not the kind of normal they were hoping for.

When Kelsie joins Drake for a routine Hunt, they end up stumbling upon an underground bunker that hasn't been opened in nearly a century. When they meet a far-too-friendly ghost, it should be their first indicator to leave things alone and get out of there. Never ones to resist the opportunity for excitement or mystery, they end up in a situation that could cost them dearly–threatening not only everything they've worked for, but their very lives!
Drake's world is turned upside down. A mysterious new girl seems intent on capturing his heart, but that's not all she's after.

Kelsie faces betrayal by the one she holds most dear, only to meet someone new who could change her entire existence; past, present, and future. If only she can stay alive long enough to find out the truth...
About the Author:
London Cole is an author of Paranormal Young-Adult novels and novellas. He resides in the large and highly over-heated state of Texas, though he is not originally from there. London was born in the Pacific Northwest, growing up on an Island very near Canada. That means that he is known to slip up and occasionally use words like “ehh” and pronounce “about” like “aboot”.
Growing up, he always wanted to write but never really knew where to start. Then he got sucked into classical music, against his will, at an early age. Unlike many, he never had imaginary friends as a child, though since he was born into a navy family, the constant moving made him a loner. It was easier to be a loner than try to make new friends all of the time. Being a loner, and having been forbidden from watching TV by his loving but sheltering mother, he turned to creating stories to entertain himself out of sheer boredom. Creating stories became a large part of his life to the point that he started narrating everything he did and conducting dialogue between multiple characters while in the shower.
When London wasn’t writing stories, he was reading them. He went through dozens of books a month, mainly mysteries that his mom checked out from the library.
Once he got older, after high school and college, he started to take writing seriously. He became more confident in his writing, and now, here we are today.

www.londoncole.com
@londoncoleYA
www.facebook.com/londoncoleYA
www.goodreads.com/londoncole

Halloween Costumes Over the Years

I love Halloween. It is my favorite holiday. It reminds of me my childhood and a lot of happy memories. 

Plus I love all things creepy, spooky, witchy and fun so Halloween and I fit perfectly together.

Lately I've been thinking about Halloweens past and costumes I've had over the years.

I have a few favorite Halloween costumes and a few that were memorable because they were bad.


I can remember one of my first costumes- Wonder Woman. It was one of those awful plastic/vinyl costumes with the cheap plastic masks. You know those horrible costumes that ripped and fell apart before you were done trick or treating. If you were a kid trick or treating in the late 70s early 80s you know what I'm talking about. They were ugly, hot and scary.

Today's costumes are much better and sexier. A lot sexier. Have you seen the wide variety of sexy adult costumes available?

Pure Costumes has
It is the The Justice League Wonder Woman Adult Costume and includes headband, cape, leotard, belt, lasso, bracelets and boot tops. 

I remember after that Wonder Woman debacle (and me crying because it fell apart) my mother made my costumes for the next several years.


For like three years in a row I was a
I can remember using some of my mom's old clothes and buying a cheap felt witch hat and being a witch for several years too.


The effect was nothing compared to the costumes available today. 

Like this . I would have loved something sexy like this. 


By the time I was a teen commercially available costumes had become a little better. One year I was pirate wench. It was a little sexy. I would have preferred something more like this wench  which is brand new for 2012.


My senior year my mom made a belly dancer costume for me. Similar to this one though mine was red and gold.

In college I could not find the vampire costume I wanted so I designed it and had a woman sew it for me.

Halloween costumes have come along way over the past couple decades.

There are so many new Halloween Costume ideas for 2012

And where costumes used to focus on children now there are tons of adult costumes for Halloween available. 

You can be anything you want- scary, sexy, funny, naughty...
and PureCostumes.com has them.

Right now Pure Costumes is offering $4.99 shipping on any size order and free shipping on orders over $50 just use code FREE50 during checkout.

If you use the facebook store you can get 5% off your order.

Visit Pure Costumes on facebook and twitter to stay up to date on all their sales and specials.