K.R. Gastreich's Blog, page 14

Well. That was interesting…

Nov 8, 2016, was a great day for me; my first opportunity ever to vote for a woman president. Hopefully, it won’t be my last. 

I know the big news this week is the election. While I have a lot of thoughts about that, I’m so saturated by politics on all my other channels that I’ve decided to not get into it here. I will, however, say this: There’s been a lot of anxiety this week, but also many signs that a brighter future is within our reach. I, for one, need some time to let the steam die down and to regroup. In other words, the topic of politics is not dead, just on a mini vacation. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Now, where was I pre-November 8?

Oh, yeah. I think I had started a novel. Something about trying to write 50,000 words in a month. What kind of a whack-a-doodle idea is that? In any case, I was clipping along just fine until I got bowled over by current events, and everything came to a screeching halt.

Still, sometime between November 1 and today, I’ve managed to pass the 10,000 word mark on my new paranormal romance/suspense novel, EvenSong. Miraculously, at least a handful of those words were written during this past week.

I’ve pretty much lost all hope of reaching the 50k mark by the end of the month; I just don’t know how I can make up for the lost time. But that’s okay. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my writer’s journey, it’s that some things are more important than writing. Family. Friends. Colleagues. Community. All of these came first this past week, and I have no regrets about that.

Despite my rather miserable word count, I’m actually pretty happy and increasingly excited about my progress on EvenSong.  I’ve managed a couple of extraordinary passages, if I may say so myself. And I made a very important breakthrough: I found the voice of my main character, Katerina.

Figuring out Katerina as a person has been a challenge since the idea for EvenSong first sprouted inside my head. I had been immersed so long in the voice of Helen from The Hunting Grounds that I had a hard time letting her go and allowing someone else in.

So imagine my excitement when, within the first couple of days of starting NanoWrimo, I happened upon Katerina’s voice, and it turned out to be completely different from Helen’s.

Where Helen is serious and skeptical, Katerina is bright and full of hope. While Helen is the consummate business woman, down to earth and practical, Katerina is a free-spirited artist, always playing on the edge between imagination and reality.

A woman with her own history of pain and loss, Katerina has nonetheless successfully nurtured the child within. For better or worse, she boldly dives into love and romance, eagerly dressing up the mundane with her own fantasies. She is fiercely independent. And she has a cat.

I must say, I like her. I like her a lot.

So that is my big news this week: I have at last tuned into the unique and compelling voice of the protagonist for my new work in progress. I know that’s not much compared to some of the events that have rocked our political sphere, but sometimes I have to hold onto the small things, the day-to-day achievements within my personal life, in order to weather the larger events of this world.

I’ve finished this week exhausted on so many levels, wishing I could resume a stronger rhythm with NanoWrimo, but unable to get there just yet. I’d talk more about why, but as you know…that would just lead us back into politics.

And that is a topic better left for another day.

 

Let the Writing Begin

This year’s Jack-o-Lanterns.

Wow – November already!

And along with November come NanoWrimo, the annual challenge to authors far and wide to complete a 50,000 word novel in 30 days.

For years I avoided NanoWrimo because I felt (rightly) the challenge didn’t fit my personal creative style.

Last year, that changed. I had a short novel in the works, and instinct told me NanoWrimo would be just the ticket to run that baby to the finish line.

The bet paid off. My 2015 Nano Novel, The Hunting Grounds, is now finished and in the querying stage, with at least one promising lead for a potential publisher.

So here I am again, ready to punish myself with another 50k challenge, and hoping it pays off.

In 2015, I cheated just a little. I was already about halfway through The Hunting Grounds, so rather than push myself through the full 50,000 words, I only had to complete about 30k in order to meet my personal goal and finish the novel. Still. Just that much nearly did me in. I was exhausted after 25k, and very happy to be done with my goal.

This year is a little different. My new work-in-progress, Evensong, has only a couple very rough chapters to its name. I still think 25k is all I’ll be able to do on this one, but if I could push it past that, even make the 50k goal and finish the first draft, I would be tickled pink.

So, we’ll see. Last week, I set up my Nano page and put together the blurb for the novel. It used to be, when I started this business of writing, that I’d complete the entire novel and then agonize over how to summarize it in 2-3 paragraphs. Now, I can write out the summary ahead of time, and instead I agonize over whether I’ll be able to deliver the novel promised in my blurb.

Just another example of how there’s no escaping anxiety in a writer’s life.

And now [drumroll] here’s the blurb for Evensong:

Evensong is a companion novel to The Hunting Grounds, part of The Path of Souls collection.

Katarina Sol conserves the craft of her grandmother, making fine dolls she sells at a toy and miniature shop in the quiet neighborhood of Brookside, Kansas City. When a puppeteer comes to town and sets up his business in a nearby theater, Katarina falls into an easy romance with Peter Detlef Kahler, a man who appears a fellow artist and kindred spirit. But as their relationship deepens, it also veers toward the dark side. Katarina begins to suspect an ominous power lurks beneath Detlef’s talent; that the magic of his puppetry is real.

Far from put off by this revelation, Katarina finds herself drawn deeper into a web of desire and mystery. Unable to resist the force of her own curiosity, she soon discovers Detlef’s sinister talent – and realizes it is also her own.

But unlike Detlef, Katarina’s training was never completed. This makes her dangerous in the eyes of supernatural beings that hold dominion over the Path of Souls. They have demanded Katarina’s destruction, and Detlef has given his oath to see it done.

Will Katarina perish according to the will of Detlef’s unearthly masters? Or will their nascent love succeed in breaking the grip of the supernatural realm and setting them both free?

Evensong is the second book of The Path of Souls collection.

Did I give you the chills? I hope so!

Those of you who were with me during last year’s Nano may remember that I do very little posting during NanoWrimo. All my precious writing time must go into this new baby. I hope you understand. But do stay tuned, as I will update you with my writing adventures – and perhaps, if I’m inspired, even a few excerpts! – in the weeks to come.

If you’re doing NanoWrimo this year, friend me! I’m easy to find; my handle is kgastreich.

If you’re doing NanoWrimo and are in the KCMO area, I’ll be attending some of the write-ins about town. Hopefully, we’ll see each other there.

Out with October, in with November. Let the new journey begin!

Magickal Samhain Begins

If you’re into witchy women and magical men, have I got the event for you!

Hosted by Marsha A Moore and April Aasheim, A Magickal Samhain is an on-line celebration of bewitching journeys of imagination. Up to thirty authors will participate, sharing stories about witches, ghosts, shamans, psychics, demons, angels, and faeries!

Prizes will be awarded all weekend, including a Grand Prize of $170 cash and a Second Prize of a Kindle e-reader.

The on-line festival runs October 27-31; I’ll be hosting a live session on Thursday, October 27, from 7:30-9:00pm EDT. My topic? LOVE IN TIMES OF DARKNESS. And also, WITCHES.

We’ll do discussions, share stories, and – if time allows – maybe even build a magickal story together! Everyone who participates in my on-line session will be entered in a random drawing to win a free signed copy of one of my novels. (Eolyn or Sword of Shadows – Your choice!)

My feature novel for Magickal Samhain is the dark fantasy Sword of Shadows, Book Two of The Silver Web. 

Going into Samhain, Sword of Shadows will be included in Amazon’s Kindle countdown deals. Starting today, the novel is on sale for just $0.99. In a couple days, the price will go up to $1.99, then to $2.99, finishing back at its regular list price of $3.99 late next week. The longer you wait, the higher the price, so take advantage of this special offer today.

Join me and other participating authors this weekend for some spell-binding fun, spine-tingling stories, and lots of great prizes. Dare to step into the shadows – Magickal Samhain waits for you.

The Witch

“She cannot be a witch, he tells himself. Witches do not study philosophy; witches do not practice scientia nova. She belongs to a new age, a future he longs to be a part of.” – The Witch of Cologne, Tobsha Learner

This week’s post has a double purpose. It’s a continuation of my Halloween reflections inspired by Tobsha Learner’s The Witch of Cologne; but it’s also a post that I’m writing for Magickal Samhain, a Facebook event that celebrates the month of October and in particular, Halloween weekend.

Magickal Samhain is a journey through paranormal and occult stories by multiple authors. The main event, which runs October 27-30, will have lots of prizes and giveaways, including two grand prizes: a Kindle reader and $170 in cash.

I’ll be hosting live on Thursday, October 27, from 7:30-9:00pm. If you stop by to visit and comment during my session, I’ll enter your name in a raffle for a free copy of Sword of Shadows. I hope you will join us. It’s going to be fun!

In the meantime…let’s talk about witches.

Tobsha Learner’s wonderful novel has a somewhat incongruous title because in truth, there isn’t a single witch in the story. The main character, Ruth, is a midwife who has studied modern medicine – as modern as it got in 17th century Europe. She lives as an outcast in her own community, having run away from home to escape an arranged marriage.

Although she is publicly reviled, Ruth is respected for her gifts as a healer. When women of Cologne – rich or poor – go into labor, their families do not hesitate to call on Ruth, though they often do so in secret.

Early in the novel, Ruth is accused of witchcraft as part of a personal vendetta. She is collateral damage in a larger political game; innocent of the charges but almost certainly doomed for the simple reason that the Inquisitor, a man of power and influence, wants her dead. Ruth finds allies along the way, but will they be enough to save her? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

Ruth’s situation resonated deeply with me, reminding me of the tens of thousands of women who have been executed under accusations of witchcraft over the centuries. “Witches” have been hunted and killed across all ages and many cultures; in some countries, people are still executed for witchcraft today.

This begs the question of why we fear the Witch, and witchcraft, so much – and why women, in particular, have been the enduring target of witch hunts.

For my part, I don’t feel the same instinctive horror toward the Witch as I do toward the Inquisitor. As an archetypal figure, the Inquisitor inspires a much greater terror, and seems beyond redemption. There’s only one type of Inquisitor, and he is always bad news.

The Witch, on the other hand, is a much more varied and complex figure. There’s the evil witch in the woods, who eats children in Hansel and Gretel or hunts campers in The Blair Witch Project. But a witch can also be good, like Glenda or Dorothy or Tabitha. She can be old and wise, young and innocent, or somewhere in between. Often, as in The Witch of Cologne, the “witch” is not a witch at all; she’s just a terrified woman falsely accused by a corrupt system.

There is one thing that all witches seem to have in common: they are knowledgeable, privy to secrets and mysteries outside the grasp of many others. Some might know how to birth babies or which plants of the forest serve as medicines. Others seem to be in touch with worlds and realities beyond our own perception. They might commune with spirits or faeries and gnomes. Or maybe they are simply aware of the greater purpose that guides their life; a conviction that gives them confidence and vision.

Because of this knowledge and confidence, witches are not to be messed with.

Not all witches are women, but when these particular qualities – knowledge, confidence, and power – intersect with the feminine spirit, the result sometimes ignites irrational fear. Women like Ruth, who do not bow to convention, who thirst for knowledge and seek to understand nature, are often not well liked – and hunted as witches.

The term “witch” is so mutable and diverse, it’s really tough to make generalizations about who the Witch is and how she is manifest in today’s world. There are simply too many ways to be a witch. Though the evil and terrible witch persists in our imagination, it’s my impression that witches of today are, on the whole, a more accepted and admired lot. We aren’t quite so fearful of their knowledge or their mystery. And we kind of like their sass.

What do you think? How do you perceive witches, past, present and future? Who are some of your favorite witches in fiction (or life), and why? Inquiring witches want to know.

The Inquisitor

For a second, Carlos wonders what this man would look like under torture, whether his face would retain the same luminous quality. The thought excites him – the execution of power always does – and his sense of inferiority fades. 

– Tobsha Learner, The Witch of Cologne

For a while now, I’ve been promising a series of reflections inspired by Tobsha Learner’s The Witch of Cologne. That project has been delayed by unexpected demands on my time, but today – with just a couple weeks to go before Samhain – I’m at last able to begin.

Let me start with some glowing praise for The Witch of Cologne. This is one of those books that’s been sitting on my shelf forever and a day; I can’t even remember where or when I acquired a copy. But once I picked it up, in the space of a few pages, I knew Learner’s novel would earn a spot on my shelf of All Time Favorites.

I would have devoured it in one weekend had I not learned by now that books like this one need to be savored; the pleasure of reading drawn out as long as possible because you know you will not find another book like this in a very long while.

The story focuses on Ruth, a Jewish midwife who is accused of witchcraft in 17th century Cologne. Out of this horrible situation emerges an unlikely and extraordinary love. Learner deftly moves the reader through multiple cycles of disaster and renewal, leaving one literally breathless at most every turn of the page. Her protagonist, Ruth, is the type of woman I love to see featured in any novel: strong, intelligent, independent, and passionate. And of course, it is all these qualities that inspire a violent need on the part of certain men in power to oppress and destroy her.

Early in the book – too early, I thought, when I started reading it – the Inquisitor Carlos Solitario makes his first appearance. What caught my attention, when the word inquisitor was first mentioned, was the visceral reaction I had. My heart plummeted into some deep, dark hole. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that hell on earth was about to begin, and that there would be no escape.

Among all the archetypal villains of our stories, the Inquisitor is one of the most enduring. Modern fantasy has converted many of our traditional monsters into likable personas. We now have sparkly vampires and fuzzy werewolves; funny Frankensteins, affectionate witches, and even zombies that fall in love. We have granted humanity to these former outsiders, crafting worlds, cultures, and adventures where they, too, can be heroes and heroines.

But as successful as we’ve been converting traditional villains into good guys, I doubt we’ll ever see YA novels that feature sparkly inquisitors who are the object of adolescent love.

In so many ways, the Inquisitor represents the worst aspects of human nature. He enforces the suffering and brutalization of the outsider. His villainy couples blind adherence to dogma with absolute power; hatred and fear are channeled toward the sole purpose of obliterating the Other. Guilt is seen by the Inquisitor as a foregone conclusion; his lust for violence quenched by the perverse conviction that torture is an honorable and reliable path to truth.

None of this can be twisted into some version of “good,” no matter how skilled the author or how compelling her narrative.

We like to think of inquisitors as a thing of the past, a character trope bound to heighten the tension of our fictional stories. But the sad truth is that the spirit of the Inquisitor remains embedded in our society and haunts us to this day.

Vivid examples include the SS officers of Nazi Germany and the McCarthy hearings in the U.S. Senate during the 1950s. As recently this past Sunday, the Inquisitor cast his shadow in our own backyard, when one of our presidential candidates threatened, on national television, to appoint a “special prosecutor” with the sole mission of putting his opponent in jail. In other words, he seeks to unleash the Inquisitor. Most disturbing of all, his promise was applauded by his supporters.

Our medieval tools of torture may be put away, confined to museums and rusting, forgotten, under the tides of time. But the spirit of the Inquisitor persists and is always waiting to return, to rise again to power and wield his weapons of conflict and destruction.

Maybe this is what perpetuates the instinctual dread we feel any time an Inquisitor appears in one of our novels. In our heart of hearts we know that this evil is not the stuff of mere fiction. The Inquisitor sleeps among us, and all of us fear his awakening.

A Rose by Any Other Name

News of a publisher’s interest in The Hunting Grounds came last weekend while I was on a field trip for my course, Ecology Through the Writers Lens.

I had very exciting news late last week: there’s a publisher interested in picking up my most recent manuscript, The Hunting Grounds. I couldn’t be more thrilled with the opportunity. But with all opportunities comes a choice, and I’ve been given a most unexpected choice.

I’ve been submitting The Hunting Grounds as a paranormal romance/thriller, which it is. But according to the publisher that’s expressed interest, the novel is more than that. The language of the sex scenes, apparently, shifts The Hunting Grounds out of mainstream paranormal and into the realm of erotic romance.

Well! I must say.

How many people do you know who have accidentally written an erotic novel? Truly, this was not my intention, but apparently I have a gift I’m not quite aware of; a gift that found its expression in the dark journey of The Hunting Grounds.

So here’s my choice: I can ‘tame down’ the sex scenes and work the novel back inside the boundaries of mainstream paranormal; or I can leave it as is to publish the novel with the same press, as part of their line of erotic romance.

The whole situation has me thinking – not for the first time – about attitudes toward sex and sexuality. My attitudes, in particular, and how those attitudes sometimes run up against – and contrast with – the mainstream. Too much to tackle in one blog post, but I’ll share a couple thoughts here.

First, in mulling over this situation, I’ve realized that I like the sex scenes in The Hunting Grounds just as they are. They don’t read overly erotic to me. I felt no shame in writing those scenes, and I would feel no shame in sharing them. I’ve always tried to make sex a natural part of my characters’ lives, and in Helen’s case, sex is an important part of her journey.

What I do mind is the label ‘erotic.’

I have certain prejudices against this word that are probably shared by a lot of people. Erotic says to me bondage, both literally and figuratively. When I think of erotic romance, I imagine insipid women protagonists who can’t hold their own in a fight, and male leads that are domineering and wholly undesirable.

The Hunting Grounds doesn’t fit these stereotypes at all. In fact, I put a lot of care and thought into avoiding them. So how on earth did I trip into the label “erotic?” What am I to do with this label? Should I shun it as something foreign to me, or embrace it as part of who I am?

The dilemma has occupied my thoughts these past few days. It’s safe to say I’ve even lost some sleep over it.

I’d publish The Hunting Grounds just as it is in a heartbeat if I didn’t have to deal with that annoying label. I worry potential readers will turn away from this novel because they interpret erotic the same way I do; that they will assume my female protagonist is young, inexperienced and weak, when Helen is mature, smart, and strong. That they’ll assume Helen’s paramour seeks to trap her in a gilded cage, when he is determined to facilitate her journey toward freedom. That they’ll imagine the sex scenes involve ropes and rape fantasies, when it is all thoroughly consensual and bondage-free; a natural expression of intimate, passionate and authentic love.

At the end of the day, I tell myself that my decision must be true to the characters and their story. What would Helen want? What would Nathan say?

At the same time, my author’s voice is in conflict with my instincts regarding the heart and soul of the story. Do I risk conserving my original vision and surrender my novel to a label that might limit its readership?  Or do I clip the wings of Helen’s sexual journey in hopes of reaching a more mainstream audience?

One day I lean one way; the next I lean the other. Meanwhile, there’s an editor out there who’s waiting for my answer.

And as difficult as this dilemma has become, isn’t it wonderful that there’s an editor out there waiting for my answer?

New Reviews for EOLYN and SWORD OF SHADOWS

As much as I enjoy blog tours, I have to admit: I breathe a sigh of relief every time they’re over. The past three weeks with Goddess Fish Promotions has been awesome, and now I’m ready for a break.

In lieu of a formal blog post this week, I want to share some highlights of the tour, as well as a new review of Eolyn, Book One of The Silver Web. 

New Review for Eolyn

I was so happy to see this pop up over the weekend:

“Gastreich is truly masterful in weaving powerful themes throughout the story. A tale of female oppression, prejudice, and even deadly seduction, Eolyn touches on issues that are deeply relevant in our own society. At times both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, the story warns young women about the ways in which the world will try to take advantage of them—but it does so in a way that never denies them their magic. Women and men alike will be moved by the strength, compassion, and raw human emotion it takes for a young woman to thrive in a society that has hunted her since birth.” 4 stars

You can read the full review either at Apex Reviews, or on Goodreads.

New Reviews for Sword of Shadows

Awarding the novel 4.5 stars, Libri Amori Miei describes Sword of Shadows as “wonderfully written, with vivid descriptions, engaging characters and a unique storyline.” One of two reviews that were given as part of the Goddess Fish tour, you can read the full text here.

The White Sky Project also gave Sword of Shadows 4 stars, noting “I especially love that this trilogy has such intriguing women playing significant roles on both sides of the story…” You can read the full review by visiting The White Sky Project or on Goodreads.

Highlights of the Goddess Fish Virtual Book Tour
My favorite interviews:

Books Chatter asked pretty much everything under the sun. Visit this site if you want to listen to the play list for The Silver Web, meet my dream team for the cast of Sword of Shadows, or just find out what it took to bring this epic tale to press.

A long-time fan of Eolyn, Queen of All She Reads tailored my interview to some very specifics about how the trilogy was developed, and the place of Sword of Shadows in the larger arc of the trilogy. You will also get some tantalizing hints as to what’s in store for Daughter of Aithne if you visit this site.

Popular posts:

I’ve left five practical and important tips for aspiring authors at Writers and Authors.

And – think you’re ready to self-publish? Take this easy quiz at Sharing Links and Wisdom to find out!

That’s what I have for you this week. Next week, we start our countdown to Halloween with a series of haunting posts inspired by the novel I’m currently reading, The Witch of Cologne, by Tobsha Learner.

SWORD OF SHADOWS Virtual Book Tour, Endgame and Fall Equinox Celebration

This is it! The last week of my virtual book tour with Goddess Fish Promotions to celebrate the release of Sword of Shadows, Book Two of The Silver Web.

Giveaways and promotions are ongoing. This week is your last chance to

enter the virtual book tour giveaway for your chance to win a $15 B&N/Amazon gift certificate. The more stops you visit, the more chances to win!
enter the Goodreads giveaway for your chance to win a signed copy of Sword of Shadows. The Goodreads giveaway ends on September 21 at midnight.
purchase Eolyn, Book One of The Silver Web, at a special reduced price of $1.99 on Kindle.

All giveaways and promotions will be over by the end of this week, so make sure to take advantage of them if you haven’t already.

And now, here’s the list for the third and final list of tour stops on my Goddess Fish virtual book tour:

September 19 – My guest post at Writers and Authors provides five practical and important tips for aspiring authors.

September 20 – A long-time fan of Eolyn, Queen of All She Reads hosts a very special author interview  uniquely tailored to the story of how The Silver Web came to be.

September 21  – Think you’re ready for self-publishing? At Sharing Links and Wisdom, I’m posting an easy 3-question quiz designed to help you decide whether to query first or simply forge ahead with your self-publishing dream. September 21 is also the last day that you can enter the Goodreads giveaway for a free signed copy of Sword of Shadows. 

September 22 – Happy Fall Equinox! The White Sky Project has promised a review for Sword of Shadows on their blog. Keep your fingers crossed that they’ll like it!

September 23 – My Goddess Fish Tour will end on a lighter note, with a fun, fictitious interview with the main characters of my novel: Eolyn and Adiana. Check it out at Book Lover Promo.  This will also be your last chance to enter the the virtual tour giveaway for a $15 B&N/Amazon gift card.

And…that’s the end of the tour! Thanks so much to everyone who has been following me these past few weeks. Next week, I’ll be taking a short break from blogging. After that, the Halloween season begins, and I’ll launch into a series of posts related to all things ghostly and ghoulish.

Oh – don’t forget the Goodreads giveaway! Here’s the link:

 

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Sword of Shadows
by Karin Rita Gastreich

Giveaway ends September 21, 2016.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

 

SWORD OF SHADOWS Virtual Book Tour, Week Two

This week, we continue our celebration of the release of Sword of Shadows, Book One of The Silver Web, in both Kindle and paperback editions. All of this week’s stops are listed below. Remember, the more sites you visit, the more chances you can have to win a $15 B&N/Amazon gift certificate.

Also, the first book in the series, Eolyn, is available this month at a special reduced price of $1.99 on Kindle. If you’re feeling lucky, you can also enter the Goodreads giveaway for a free, signed copy of Sword of Shadows.

Check out this week’s tour stops below, and please follow along to share your thoughts, questions, and insights.

September 12 – Find out about one of my favorite hobbies, dance, and how it has enriched my writing, on The Reading Addict. 

September 13 – My advice for aspiring authors? Shoot for the stars, but maintain a healthy dose of realism. Read more on this and other topics in my author interview at T’s Stuff. 

September 14 – An author interview, with a new set of questions about life, the universe, and everything, will be up at Libri Amori Miei. Rumor has it this site will also post a review of Sword of Shadows – Keep your fingers crossed!

September 15 – At The Silver Dagger Scriptorum, I talk about how stories of women and war inspired me to write Sword of Shadows. And – I just might get another review at this site, too!

September 16 – Critique groups: Are they worth it? Discover my response to this question, and share your own thoughts and experiences, at Long and Short Reviews.

Don’t forget to enter the Goodreads giveaway for your chance to win a signed copy of Sword of Shadows. Visit Goodreads to enter, or use the link below:

 

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Sword of Shadows
by Karin Rita Gastreich

Giveaway ends September 21, 2016.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

 

SWORD OF SHADOWS Virtual Book Tour, Week One

It’s that time of year again! We’re celebrating the release of Sword of Shadows, Book Two of The Silver Web in both paperback and Kindle editions, with a virtual book tour.

Over the next three weeks, I’ll be visiting a new blog every day, courtesy of Goddess Fish Promotions. Look for fun interviews, thought-provoking posts, lively discussions, and great giveaways. Every stop you visit offers you an opportunity to win a $15 B&N/Amazon gift card.

For the duration of the tour, the first book in the series, Eolyn, is on sale for just $1.99 on Kindle. You can also enter a Goodreads giveaway for the chance to win a free signed copy of Sword of Shadows. 

Check out this week’s stops below. Hope to see you in the blogosphere!

September 5 – My author interview on Christine Young’s blog reveals what character from my books I’d most like to be, the best publishing advice I’ve ever received, and the blackest moment in Sword of Shadows. Read my answers to her questions, and don’t be shy about asking some of your own!

September 6 – My favorite interview for this entire tour will be appear on Books Chatter. They just asked so many great questions. Visit this stop, and you’ll find out about the (very eclectic) play list for The Silver Web, the inspiration for the cover art, and best of all, who would be my dream team for the blockbuster film adaptation of The Silver Web trilogy.

September 7 – Harmony Kent asked me to write a guest post about what I would do if I could be one of my characters for a month. Truth is, I don’t want to be any of the characters from Sword of Shadows, because they suffer a lot! But when forced to make a choice, I picked Adiana of Selkynsen, Eolyn’s good friend and sister in magic. Visit Harmony Kent’s blog to find out why.

September 8 – For Casey Moss and her readers, I was asked to talk about the best and worst writing advice I’ve received. Discover my answer, and share your own, on Casey Moss’s blog.

September 9 – Just like any other character in a story, mythical creatures have histories, desires, fears, and motivations. On Fabulous and Brunette, I’ll share my approach to crafting mythical creatures, with a close look at the special case of Naether Demons. 

That’s the schedule for week one. Please stop by as often as you can to share your thoughts, experiences, insights, and questions.

Also – don’t forget to enter the Goodreads giveaway below!

 

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Sword of Shadows
by Karin Rita Gastreich

Giveaway ends September 21, 2016.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway