C.K. Volnek's Blog, page 4

Interview with Janet Lee Carey, Author of DRAGONSWOOD

Interview with JANET LEE CAREY
Author of DRAGONSWOOD

Photo by Heidi Pettit

Leave a comment to 
WIN a FREE Copy of Dragonswood!


Dragonswood

In a dark time when girls with powers are called witches, Tess escapes the witch hunter and hides with a mysterious huntsman until magical voices draw her deeper into Dragonswood where she learns the secret of her birth. Caught between love and loyalty, Tess chooses the hardest path of all – her own.

* "A dark fantasy illuminated by piercing flashes of hope."

--Kirkus starred review

 ".. perfectly crafted combination of history, mythology, and fantasy. . . The political intrigue, mythology of Merlin, and romances that bloom . . . . will have readers racing toward the end and then going back to savor the events more slowly."
--School Library Journal starred review

Thanks for joining us today Janet. I'm so excited to have you. And it's so gracious of you to offer a FREE book giveaway. All our readers have to do is leave a comment for a chance to WIN a FREE copy of Dragonswood! 
Can you tell your readers something interesting about yourself AND/OR your favorite character.

I'm terrified of spiders (Like Ron in Harry Potter) I go all squeamish around them and used to have my brothers suck them up with the vacuum cleaner. Strangely enough spider webs appeared in a few places in Dragonswood:

"I found a small alcove near the top of the waterfall where I might sit away from the swirling mist. I watched a spider spinning her web across the entryway. The mist hung in droplets from her silk, each drop seemed to catch fire as the wisps sped past.

 Onadon already had marriage plans in mind. How was that any different from the blacksmith who eyed me like his raw metal he could shape by force? Was one father's magic much different than the other's mallet? I am not property."

I realized after writing the scene that the spider web represented Tess's feeling of entrapment. She's expected to marry a man she doesn't love. I've learned the things I fear have a power that can translate into my fiction in surprising ways.  

It's fascinating to hear you find out things about yourself as you write. I'm the same way. What was your favorite book as a teen? Tell us about it and how it affected you as a person.

I loved reading Tolkien's and Ursula Le Guin's fantasies as a teen, but the novel that was the most life-changing for me at age 16 was Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha. The book opened me up to a whole new world. I was already on a search for authenticity, self-knowledge, and spirituality. I started a regular meditation practice after reading Siddhartha. The novelalso led to my first charity event, a music and dance festival with Indian music to raise money for famine relief in Bangladesh. All of that life change came out of reading that one book.

Because of my own life-changing experiences through books, my novels tend to touch on awakening spirit.   



I'm going to have to check that book out. Sounds delightful. Tell us about Dragonswood. How did it come about?

The idea for the first part of the novel came when I learned the details of the witch trials in medieval Europe. I discovered women accused of witchcraft were not only tortured and made to confess, they were often forced to give up names of other women they knew. The idea appalled me. I instantly knew there was a story in it. I imagined a tale of friendship and betrayal. The novel tests the main character's loyalty to her friends, her family, to her first love, and ultimately to herself. 


I'm so excited about this book. Would you share your favorite excerpt/scene?

One of my favorite scenes happens midway through the novel when the fairies steal Tess:

"As I squatted, damp and shivering, holding my hands out to the fire, darkness weighed down over the world like a hushed, black wave about to fall. I was far from humankind, yet I felt I was being observed like an insect under a mage-glass. I glanced about. No eyes glared from the woods. I heard familiar scuttling noises of small forest creatures and the dry, dusty sound of flitting wings.

Still I sensed something else. Who watches? I looked left and right. 

Then in that hour light came, thrown like a ball to the base of a tree. One circling flame falling, then another, and another. I screamed as the light orbs piled up on all sides. Heat washed over me, drying my damp clothes to the stiffness of brown leaves. The rushing sound of flames hushed all else in the night wood. In brightness, I was lifted, swung, paraded through the forest on waves of living fire that did not scorch or burn, but sang beneath me:

Eshkataa breelyn kataa. Bring her in, her in, her in.

Fairy bound in human skin. Bring her in, her in, her in."
Your book trailer is divine. Tell us about it.

This was our first time making a book trailer. We collected photos. I wrote the script/music and sang. My husband, Tom, played the Turkish saz. Our son, Aaron, recorded the music. I loved creating the trailer. Our goal was to "deliver the shiver."   

How awesome that you wrote everything in your trailer and even sang your recorded son. Excellent job. How has writing affected your life? And what's your favorite part of being a writer?

Writing affects every part of my life. Story is a source of inspiration for me. I don't know what I'd do without it. I need stories like I need food and water. My favorite part of being a writer is that moment when the story sings and I'm carried away into another place and time. A story is a doorway. You only have to open it and go inside:

~Open as you have before
Let the traveler though the door
From the opening begin
The only way out is in~
--from The Beast of Noor

What advice can you give regarding the writing process?

Apprentice yourself to the work. It takes a lifetime to learn how to write a good novel, but we all start at the same place – a blank page. Begin where you are and start the climb. It's worth it.

Regarding publication and marketing, what advice can you offer aspiring writers?

Writing is a solitary profession. That said we writers need a lot of support. It helps to find a good critique group and learn how to revise from critique. (Learning to revise in my critique group saved me years later when I received my first long editorial letter.) Read. Read. Read. Write.Write.Write. Attend writing conferences, but don't contact an editor or agent until your novel is complete, revised, and ready to send. Finally every writer gets rejections. Believe in yourself and keep writing. 

How can your fans find, follow or friend you?

My Website http://www.janetleecarey.com

Blogs http://dreamwalks.blogspot.com  AND http://LibraryLionsRoar.blogspot.com 

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

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Janet-Lee-Carey-Author/113029975405630  


Thanks for being here today Janet.  I'm a big fan of your work and I hope our readers will enjoy your stories as much as I do. And remember everyone... 


Leave a comment to WIN a FREE Copy of Dragonswood! 

C.K. Volnek

The Winners of the FREE e-book, A Horse Called Trouble are...

The book birthday blog contest is over and the votes are all in. But before I announce the winners, I just want to say thank you to my most gracious hosts who helped me celebrate my book birthday for 
A Horse Called Trouble.
 I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends. 
(I do still have one more contest coming up if you missed this blog tour adventure. :-) 

I also want to thank all the visitors that celebrated with me. It was such a joy to see you join me and share your thoughts and comments. 

Now, I know I promised to give away 10 book with this blog tour, but I changed my mind. I decided to give away 15! I feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life, I want to share the joy. So, without further ado...the winners of the free e-book, 
A Horse Called Trouble, are (in no given order)

Gwen
Kay
Stacey Sifred
dgorman
Cheryl
S. Durham
Kathy Gilmore
Victorine
Sharon
Adriana
Edith Parzefall
Viviane
Killarney
Penny
Gloria

As soon as I receive your e-mail addresses from the given blogs, 
I will contact you and send your FREE e-book out. 
Thanks again for joining me! 

C.K. Volnek

Still A Chance to Win a Copy of A Horse Called Trouble

There is still time to enter in to win a FREE e-copy of A Horse Called Trouble.  Please visit any or all of the sites below and leave me a comment to gain a chance to win a FREE d-copy of my book to put on that e-reader you're getting for Christmas.  Good luck everyone. Winners will be announced the end of next week.
Merry Christmas! 



A Horse Called Trouble

A young teen must overcome her abusive past to save the defiant horse who taught her to love and trust again. Can Tara save Trouble? Or will Alissa destroy them both?

Visit these blogs to enter...
http://gracedelbygrace.blogspot.com/2011/12/horse-called-trouble_12.html

http://rosgemmell.blogspot.com/2011/12/introducing-horse-called-trouble.html

http://rryalsrussell.com/2011/12/19/1561c-k-volneks-a-horse-called-trouble/

http://www.ckvolnek.com/4/post/2011/12/a-horse-called-trouble-book-birthday.html

http://barbaraehrentreu.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-launch-party-for-ckvolneks-horse.html

http://meradethhouston.blogspot.com/2011/12/horse-called-trouble-and-contest.html

http://gmbarlean.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/author-interview-c-k-volnek/

http://roseannedowellauthor.blogspot.com/2011/12/meet-ck-volnek.html

http://mgddasef.blogspot.com/2011/12/ck-volneks-new-release-horse-called.html

http://www.lawnamackie.ca/wordpress/2011/12/726/

Good Luck!

A Horse Called Trouble - Book Birthday!

It's finally here!
A Horse Called Trouble
is NOW AVAILABLE  

Buy it here:
e-book - Muse It Up
Print - Amazon

So, grab a piece of cake and a glass of punch and raise your glass with me to celebrate! 

In celebration, I'm also going to give one lucky reader who leaves me a comment a FREE e-copy of 
A Horse Called Trouble. 
So, just say 'hi' and you may WIN! 
Good Luck.

Thanks for stopping by!
C.K. Volnek 
  A Horse Called Trouble

A troubled teen must overcome her abusive past to save the defiant horse that has taught her to love and trust again.

Tara Cummings hasn't had an easy life. Abandoned by her mother at the young age of seven she's been passed from foster home to foster home; not wanted anywhere by anyone. At thirteen she finds herself skeptic and suspicious, with no family, no friends, and forced to participate in horse therapy. 

Horse therapy "will teach trust, perseverance, respect and the value of teamwork," or so says the program's instructor. Tara is unconvinced. Trust only got her heart broken, perseverance only gets her put down, and no one respects or wants to team up with the misfit foster kid.  

At the therapy horse farm, Tara meets Trouble, an angry and defiant horse, bent on destroying everything and everyone around him. At first she's afraid of Trouble, until she realizes he's as misunderstood and untrusting as she is. She pushes aside her fear and a special relationship is formed as she alone manages to calm him, much to the surprise of everyone at the farm. Trouble trusts Tara, and Tara in turn finds hope and acceptance as well as the will to love and trust again herself. 

Tara's self-esteem grows through the therapy program as she begins to work through her shyness and reservations. But her confidence is shaken as an even greater challenge looms ahead. Trouble's manipulative owner is determined to have him destroyed because of his 'dangerous' nature. Tara must overcome her own limitations and fight to save the horse that has freed her heart and given her life value and meaning.  But can she save Trouble, or will Alissa destroy them both?

Thanks for stopping by!
C.K. Volnek

Letters From Al - Inspired from true life connections with Al Capone

Today I am happy to have Kathy Pieper on my blog, introducing her book, Letters From Al, a story inspired by her great-aunt and her connections with Al Capone. Welcome Kathy!

Thanks for having me on your blog today, Charlie. I'm a born and bred Nebraskan and have always loved reading and ultimately writing, my first contemporary romances were published back in the 80's. I love a good mystery and romances seem to never go out of style, and altho' the technical world seems to be taking over, I still love to hold an actual book in my hand. One of my writer friends had a good point too, how in the world do you autograph an e-book? Made me laugh, but there's room for all. My favorite character is always the one I'm working on. 

As a teen my favorite book was Adventures of the Black Stallion(I was very horsey at that age) and "Christy" by Catherine Marshall, but I was also developing my love of mysteries and romance. Nancy Drew was fun and the old Jane Austin classics. In grade school I loved "Peach Tree Island" by Mildred Lawrence, and I just found a hard copy online which I snapped up and immediately read. Ahhh, contentment and getaway time just like before. Reading still affects me like that.

I write contemporary romance and romantic mystery for young adults, what used to be called 'sweet', I enjoy telling a story that makes my reader use their imagination and every sense. When you get so lost in a story you smell the flowers and hear the hoofbeats, you've succeeded. 

Letters From Al is my newest novel published by Treble Heart Books. It was submitted and rejected several times before I finally found a publisher. I never was tempted to give up because I was very wrapped up in the story. The photo on the front cover is actually my own great aunt Sophia who lived to be 104! I had admired the photo of a cute 'flapper' girl in my grandmother's living room for years and she finally gave it to me. While the story is not about her, her photo inspired my story of Madeline Morris and her connection with the infamous gangster Al Capone. One of my favorite scenes is the prologue where she must use her street smarts to get out of a precarious situation, then decide if she will warn the criminal to protect her friends and co-workers. How she handled it sets the tone for the rest of the story and the future of her own great niece. I like to think she would have approved. 

Writing has given me an outlet for my creative side, plus entertained me and others. My favorite part of being a writer is seeing the finished product, seeing my characters come to life and the enjoyment others get by reading what I put down on paper. 

My best advice on writing is, WRITE. Don't think too much, don't procrastinate but plan! Get up early, stay up late, write on your lunch hour or whenever the mood strikes you but if you don't pick up the pen or sit down at the computer, you won't write. And don't forget, if a laptop isn't available, plain old pen and paper always is. 

It's tough writing for publication these days if you don't study your markets and learn the craft. With all the technology out there available to us now, it pays to learn all you can from groups like the Nebraska Writer's Guild, and RWA, there's a smaller group for about any type of writing these days so take advantage of it. And don't forget about critique--having someone honestly review your work will save you lots of time and disappointment. Call your library or go online, you will find lots of information available. 

I'm online at my website kathleenpieper.com and if you want to contact me personally the email addresses are there. Thank you so much for this opportunity to visit with you. I hope your readers check out "Ghost Dog of Roanoke" and "Letters From AL". Thanks again, and happy happy holidays to all!


Thanks for joining us today, Kathy. It's been great to hear more about you and your books. Your writing advice is great. Everyone needs to be reminded of that! Thanks again for being here.
C.K. Volnek

The Circle of Sorcerers, a New Epic Fantasy Series by Brian Kittrell

Today I'm introducing Brian Kittrell and his novel, The Circle of Sorcerers, a new intriguing fantasy series. Hi Brian, welcome to my blog. I have to say, I am extremely captivated with your book The Circle of Sorcerers. This wonderful fantasy world sounds exciting and spellbinding. Can you tell your readers a little about the book?

Sure thing, but first, I must say thank you very much for having me. I appreciate it!

The Circle of Sorcerers is the debut novel of my epic fantasy series, and it involves the early life of Laedron Telpist, a boy who hails from a small village but who is trained in magic by his mother. To continue his training, he must go to a formal environment and study beneath a skilled sorcerer. It seems simple enough until the winds of change come and shift the course of the Heraldan church—the largest religious organization in the world. When the new leader of this church swears to rid the world of free practitioners of magic, all of the Circle mages are endangered.

Excellent conflict. Tell us about your favorite character/s in your series.

Oh, there are so many in this book. Laedron, the young mage and main character, comes from humble, comfortable beginnings in the peace and solitude of Reven's Landing. Marac, his best friend, enjoys 'long nights and drinking from a tall cup', to quote the book, but he has cause to be that way. Ismerelda, the Uxidi sorceress, was a very interesting character to explore throughout the book, and she is one of my favorites—complex, dangerous, but also kind and protective.

You mention your main character embraces old friends, consorts with unlikely allies and confronts potent enemies…can you share a few of the Laedron's greatest challenges?

Without giving too much away, the premise of the book is based upon a battle of supremacy between the worldly sorcerers and the divine priests. Both use magic in one form or another and largely tolerated one another in the past, but with the appointment of Andolis Drakar as Grand Vicar of the Heraldan church, things change quickly. No longer are sorcerers safe; they become outnumbered and targeted once the church issues its declarations against them.

This sounds more exciting by the minute. What is the world like in The Circle of Sorcerers? It sounds so very unique and mystifying. And not a world that is very accepting to one spinning spells.

The world in the book consists of the Bloodmyr Isles, three large islands which are host to a variety of people and cultures. The story begins on the central island (the Midlands to the locals) in the nation of Sorbia, Laedron's home country. Sorbia is quite accepting of magic and sorcerers, but the eastern island—the home to Falacore and the Heraldan theocratic lands—is far from being accepting. Mix in the appointment of a Grand Vicar hostile to sorcerers, and you have a war.

Different parts of the world are known for different things, and many of them draw heavily from our own history—such as the Al'Qarans being very much like the Persians while the Qal'Phametines draw heavily from Egypt. The Falacorans are similar in many ways to the Holy Roman Empire, and the Heraldan theocracy—of course—could quickly be compared to the early Catholic church. The Midlands have a wide diversity in culture and tradition, and I feel that makes them ripe for tolerance of different ideas. They were also invaded at one time by the Falacorans, and that would make anyone cautious of accepting any single ideal or way of doing things.

You have built an enticing world. Can you offer your fellow writers some advice on writing fantasy?

The key to writing good fantasy isn't about copying what's already out there. You could try to write like J.R.R. Tolkien and spend vast amounts of time doing so, but you'll write yourself into a hole. The same goes for G.R.R. Martin—no need to mimic styles. It also goes for Sanderson, for he's prolific enough to keep people busy with just his material for long stretches of time.

Tolkien spins a wonderful tale, but we have Tolkien's works. Martin and Sanderson build interesting worlds and characters, but we have Martin and Sanderson. What we don't have is your unique style, and that's what people want when they pick up a different author. They don't want someone trying to be someone else; they want you.

Beyond that, utilize the five senses. Do you have a unique food in your world? Make the reader taste it. Does the character happen upon a battlefield with rotten corpses? The smell is like no other. Many writers will easily say what they see and hear—most people are either sight- or audio-centric—but we mustn't forget that smells and tastes do just as much to pull the reader into the story.

Oh, and research and anachronisms. Never too little of the former and never the latter.

Oh my, so very descript. Would you share your favorite excerpt/scene and tell us why this is so special to you.

I often cling to my scenes of loss. In this book, the pivotal moment of loss would be the death of Laedron's teacher at the hands of the priest.

Regarding publication and marketing, what advice can you offer aspiring writers?

Always the tough one. Book bloggers can do wonders for your book and exposure, and it's the kind of real marketing that you want to do. If I came up to you and said, "My book is wonderful. Buy it," you have a totally different feeling than if someone else says, "This book is by Brian Kittrell, and it's wonderful. You should buy it." That's because when I say it, it's self-promotion. When someone else says it, it's a recommendation. My self-promotion is basically, "The book's out at (link)", and then I work on finding people who might be willing to read it, review it, or otherwise say that other people should try it.

I do some paid advertisement, but it's very cheap. My budget for that is something like $50 per month on all of the places I advertise. I try to do publicity at every opportunity because I think it's more valuable.

And of course, last but not least…how can your fans find, follow or friend you?

I'm on Facebook and Twitter, but I don't post at either one terribly much. I also maintain a newsletter list, and I post emails infrequently. Probably the easiest way to find any option to stay in touch is by going to my website, http://www.latenitebooks.com, and choosing whichever option you prefer.

A big thanks to Charlie for having me today. I appreciate it very much, and I hope you all enjoy your next book, whichever it may be!

It was my pleasure to host you today, Brian. I hope everyone is as captivated as I am with your new book, The Circle of Sorcerers and checks it out for Christmas. Thanks Brian.
C.K. Volnek

Seasons of Reading Blog Hop

Today I am happy to be a part of Jo Ramsey's Book Blog Hop. For a full list of participants and blogs sharing our thoughts on books, please see Jo's blog.

The written word has always been special to me. I still remember so many of my favorites growing up…Follow My Leader, My Side of the Mountain, Pippi Longstockings, Black Beauty, and the list goes on and on. And because of my love of the written word, I'm a big believer in giving books as Christmas gifts. How else can I send my favorite people on a trip to another time or place? Adventures, romances, historicals, paranormal, mysteries…stories to entertain and excite. So many books, true and fiction, to make everyday a vacation.

A few years ago I gifted my daughter one of my favorite books, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This delightful tale combines mystery and intrigue in a charming children's story. Mary is a complex character—spoiled and orphaned, angry at the world after being sent to live with her elusive Uncle in England. However, after discovering her cousin, Colin, Mary changes, learning to encourage and support her cousin as she helps him strengthen his muscles and move from being debilitated and  broken  to a healthy and joyful child. Important subjects intermixed with a great story, showing tremendous growth and personality. 

It's because of stories like The Secret Garden that I love writing for young people. And I can only hope my stories will one day inspire my young readers as so many books have inspired me.  In my first novel, Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island, I have mixed a true historical mystery with a fast-paced ghost story while sneaking in a lesson on forgiveness and prejudice.

My main character, Jack, is much like Mary in The Secret Garden. He is angry and upset, having been ripped from the only home he ever knew to live on Roanoke Island. His relationship with his father is also strained after his sister's accident and Jack is stressed as he tries to prove himself to his father once again. Enter a horrendous monster, a demon remnant from the time of the Lost Colony, determined to destroy Jack and his family and my ghostly adventure begins. I hope you'll give Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island a read this Christmas.

In celebration of the Book Blog Hop, I am happy to offer one FREE e-copy of my story, Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island to one lucky winner. I am also supplying one print copy to my local library. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may all your holidays be Book-a-licious!

C.K. Volnek

Historical Romances Lady-In-Waiting and Mirror Mirror, Just in time for Christmas!

Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz is my guest today. She is excited to offer two historical romance stories set in medieval times. I'm already swooning. Nothing sets my heart to patter more than a good castle complete with handsome princes and lovely ladies in waiting.

Welcome Penny. I have to admit, I love stories set in medieval times. I have a great love affair with castles and knights and fair damsels. Where did you come up with the idea for your historical romance, Lady in Waiting?

When I first started writing Lady-in-Waiting, I wanted to write it as a fantasy. I imagined Madoc would be a wizard, but he decided he didn't like that and the story took a different turn.  I enjoy writing fantasy, and I was somewhat surprised when it turned into an historical romance. 

There seems to be a great angst between Alana and Mabriona. Can you tell us why Alana was so mean to her cousin?

Alana is a princess, raised to expect that everyone should do exactly as he or she is told to do. Alana resents the fact that Mabriona doesn't have to marry someone she doesn't like just because her father wants her to.  Further, she sees Mabriona as someone beneath her based on her darker coloring.  In the north where Alana lives, people are fair-skinned and blond.  Mabriona's side of the family comes from the south and have a dark olive complexion and raven hair.  Mostly, I would say, Alana is a bit of a brat.

Tell us more about Mabriona. She must be a strong, loving character to endure all the cruelty tossed her way and not come out broken.

Mabriona has lived with Alana since she was a child. Her parents sent her to the castle believing she would have a better life.  As Alana's lady-in-waiting, she meets fascinating men at balls, eats well, is dressed in finery to suit her station.  She is a romantic and longs for true love.  A sense of rivalry developed over the years between the cousins, much like it does between siblings.  Mabriona knows her life isn't her own, but she also appreciates what she has been given.  Despite it all, she does love her cousin, and like a younger sibling, wants to please her older cousin.

I first thought Prince Blayne was the answer to all Mabriona's problems. What a great twist to add his brother, Madoc. Tell us about Madoc. He seems like a character all women would swoon over.

Madoc is the shy, retiring, book-loving younger brother.  Since his father, the king, doesn't expect much from him, he was able to devote himself to the things he enjoyed doing.  He didn't have to learn to rule a kingdom or fight from atop his horse.  Instead, he learned to write poetry and play an instrument.  He is soft-spoken and also longing for true love.  Unlike Prince Blayne, Madoc will be allowed to marry for love.

Your book, Mirror Mirror, sounds like another fun medieval read. How did you come up with the idea of this time-travel story?

I live in a small rural area, and we don't often get outside events coming to our community.  However, a few years back, a Renaissance Fair happened in one of our local parks.  Of course, I had to go!  It was so much fun to wander around and watch the re-enactments, sample the food, listen to the music, and watch the people who are into dressing up.  I got to thinking about what it might be like for someone who did this on a regular basis to actually get transported back in time.  How would she handle it?  Would she be able to survive?  Would she long to come back to the modern world.  I needed a way for my MC to be sent back and being sucked through a scrying mirror seemed made to order.

Tell us how your MC, Lindsey, feels about women's positions in the 1400's. They definitely didn't have women's rights back then.

Lindsey is appalled by the way women are treated.  When she arrives, she has no idea what happened, or where she is.  She soon finds out an old woman has brought her there to save a young man who is being forced by his father to marry the wrong person.   Lindsey learns the young lord of the manor desires someone beneath his station. His father of course, forbids the relationship. The old woman has picked Lindsey because she looks just like the young lord's lov. When Lindsey tries to make the hero see she can be valuable, help him with the books, read, etc., she quickly finds out those skills didn't travel with her.  All our young man wants is to kiss her and get her into his bed, knowing full-well he can't marry her.  Of course Lindsey rebels. 

Where did you come up with the ideas for such strong male characters such as Madoc and Graham?

Both Madoc and Graham are composites of people I know, people I've read about, and my fictionalized idea of the "ideal" man.

What kind of research did you do to find out everything you needed for these medieval stories?

I did a lot of Internet research.  I've also read a lot of books set in similar time periods to see how other authors tackle the subject.  I've got a few reference books on my shelves such as Everyday Life in the Middle Ages, by Sherrilyn Kenyon and The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Renaissance England from 1485-1649, by Kathy Lynn Emerson.

I am a sucker for happy endings. How about you? Do your stories tie the plot into a nice little bundle at the end?

I think they do.  I have to admit I've always liked the HEA endings.  I think most people who read romances like to see their MCs end up together, although they do have to spend some time working out their problems first.

How can our readers find out more about you and your books?

Thanks for asking!

My website is: http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.yolasite.com

My blog is: http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com

My Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/penny.ehrenkranz

My Twitter is: http://twitter.com/pennyehrenkranz

My author page at MuseItUp Publishing is:

https://museituppublishing.com/musepub/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=130&Itemid=82

Love Delivery, Lady-in-Waiting, and Mirror, Mirror are with MuseItUp Publishing.

My anthology A Past and A Future, and my YA chapbook, Dragon Sight are available at Sam's Dot Publishing and Smashwords. My MG novels, Ghost for Rent and Ghost for Lunch, and Boo's Bad Day and Many Colored Coats, picture books, are scheduled for publication with 4RV.

Love Delivery, coming August, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/4ajo9wz   

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005GPRQEC

Lady in Waiting, coming November, 2011

http://tinyurl.com/6u4keh5

Mirror, Mirror, coming December, 2011

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2

A Past and A Future

http://www.genremall.com/anthologiesr.htm#pastfuture

Dragon Sight

http://www.genremall.com/fictionr.htm#dragonsight

Ghost for Rent, coming September 2012

Ghost for Lunch, coming September, 2013

Many Colored Coats, coming October, 2014

Boo's Bad Day, coming June, 2015

http://4RVpublishingllc.com/Childrens_Books.html
***************************************************************Blurb Info for:  Lady-in-Waiting

Tag Line: Through a series of misunderstandings, Mabriona is forced to live a lie, but when the man she loves awakes from his coma, will she confess her deceit?

Blurb: Mabriona is cousin to the beautiful and spoiled Princess Alana.  When Alana is forced to marry a man she despises, Mabriona is torn between her loyalty to her cousin and her attraction to the handsome Prince Blayne.

Tragedy befalls the cousins on the way to Prince Blayne's castle.  Servants, believing Mabriona to be Alana, refuse to listen when she tries to explain.

While she waits for Blayne to recover, Mabriona meets his equally handsome younger brother, Madoc, a bard.

When Blayne awakes, will Mabriona choose life with a future king, will she be sent home in disgrace because of her inadvertent lies, or will Madoc win her love with his poetry?**********************************************************************************Blurb Info for: Mirror, Mirror

Tag Line: Lindsay Baker's purchase of an antique mirror sends her back in time to salvage a love torn apart by class restrictions.

Blurb: Lindsay Baker is intrigued by everything about the middle ages, but when she purchases an antique mirror and a costume to attend a Renaissance Faire, she suddenly finds herself transported back in time.  There she finds she's been called by a witch to right a terrible wrong. 

Graham loves Prudence, but he can't marry her because he's landed gentry, and she is only the baker's daughter.  Before Lindsay can return to her own time, she must convince Graham to marry against his father's wishes.  Unfortunately, she also finds herself falling for the handsome gentleman.

Can she find her way back to her own time, or will she be stuck in a time when women had no rights?

Temporary buy link: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2*************************************************************************************************************
EXCERPT:  LADY-IN-WAITING

"Today's the day, Mabriona," Princess Alana said as Mabriona entered the chambers.  She wiped tears from her eyes with an embroidered linen. "Prince Blayne will be here, and soon I'll be his wife.  I think the worst part of being father's daughter is marrying someone I've never even met."

"You've always known your marriage would be arranged for the benefit of the kingdom, Princess, but I'm sure he'll be very nice," Mabriona replied as she opened the heavy drapes covering the windows. She looked at her cousin and sighed.  She wanted to feel sorry for Alana, but they'd had this discussion so many times. Mabriona was tired of it.  Alana had known from the time she was a child that she would not wed for love.  Why can't Alana just accept her fate? Outside the day was as wet as the one before and the one before that.

"Nice?  Who wants nice?  I want someone handsome and dashing.  A knight in shining armor who will love me forever.  I certainly don't want someone like my father who will make me do everything I don't want to do."

After Stefany left, Lindsey adjusted the water spigots on her tub.  A few drops of bubble bath went into the water, and the soothing scent of lavender filled the moist, steamy air.  While the tub filled, Lindsey tried on her Renaissance outfit for the upcoming Faire. She couldn't believe her good luck at finding the perfect pieces.  She tested the bath water to be sure it was the right temperature. Then she picked up her antique mirror to get a better view. Was this a scryer's mirror at some point in time? It slipped from her wet hands into the bathtub.

"Nuts," she mumbled as she leaned over the tub.  She pulled one sleeve up on her blouse and fished around in the bubbles for the mirror. When she pulled the mirror from the water, spots appeared in front of her eyes, and she felt faint.  While she watched her reflection in the old mirror, the background changed.  She no longer saw the inside of her bathroom.  She closed her eyes as the room around her went black.

****************************************************************************************************************

Thank you for inviting me to be your guest today, C.K.  I want to remind your readers I'm having a contest.  I will be choosing two names at the end of my blog tour from all who comment at any of the stops.  One winner will receive a copy of Lady-in-Waiting and the other a copy of Mirror, Mirror.

Thanks for joining me today, Penny. It was a treat to hear about your upcoming books. I hope everyone goes right out and picks them up for Christmas!
C.K. Volnek

Why Is Your Book NOT Selling?

The world of writing and selling books is an ever changing chameleon these days.  There are many ways to get your book into the public hands, whether publishing with big publishers, small press or even independently. And it's been my joyful experience that today the author has so much more input into the look and marketing of their book. (Though not always as much as they'd like or want. lol)

Sometimes, however, we find our sales not as we, the author, would like to see. Though some of this could be due to marketing shortcomings, other elements could also come into play as well…the cover, blurb, price, and the writing itself.

Enter…Why is My Book Not Selling - http://booknotselling.blogspot.com/ … a blogspot started by Victorine Lieske, author of best-selling novel Not What She Seems. This is an extremely helpful tool to help authors examine these very elements.

Authors can submit their books, offering the cover, blurb and the beginning chapter of the book and receive critiques from Victorine as well as from her loyal followers. This site is not for the author who cannot take criticism, as the critiques are honest and quick to point out the flaws they see. But for the author who only wants to produce a better product and enhance his or her sales, this is a valuable tool, definitely worth of a look.

Visit Victorine at http://booknotselling.blogspot.com/ and either offer up your own critiques on our fellow author's work or submit your book to find out how you could sell more today!

Thanks for stopping by.

C.K. Volnek
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Upcoming Tween Spook Story, Ebenezers' Locker by Anne E. Johnson

Anne E. Johnson has published many types of writing, including feature articles about music for the New York Times, non-fiction children's books for the Rosen Group, and children's short stories for Spaceports & Spidersilk, Underneath the Juniper Tree and elsewhere. She also has short stories for adults in a number of anthologies. You can see the details on her publications page: http://www.squidoo.com/anne-e-johnson-publications

Due to the differing speed of operations at different publishing houses, her first three novels are all coming out within the first six months of 2012!

Her middle-grade paranormal mystery novel, Ebenezer's Locker, will be published by MuseItUp in June, 2012.

I'm so excited for you, Anne. Can't wait to read Ebenezer's Locker.  Can you tell your readers something interesting about yourself AND/OR your favorite character.

Although I do love Rhonda Zymler, the first-person protagonist in Ebenezer's Locker, the character who was the most fun to write is an octogenarian psychic named Tallulah Radley. She ends up being the kids' link to the world of spirits that are haunting the school. All her dialog and behavior, and even the things she keeps in her house, are based on thorough research I did into spiritualist practices from over a hundred years ago.

What fascinating research. What was your favorite book as a child? Tell us about it and how it affected you as a person.

The best middle grade novels I've read recently are Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book and Adam Rex's The True Meaning of Smek Day. The two books, although they're both speculative fiction, are in very different styles. Yet they both combine humor, imagination, and pathos in a way that I really admire, and both to a tremendous job of developing intriguing, lovable characters in an original and surprising plot.

Humor and unpredictability are two of the most important elements to me when I read fiction, and I hope I include them when I write.

I agree. Love a story that twists expectantly. Tell us about the genre you have chosen to write for. Why do write specifically for them?

Although I write many genres and for many audiences, middle-grade fiction is very special to me. I think that's because my own imagination must have blossomed when I was between eight and twelve years old, and I often feel like I see the world through the eyes of a child, but not a little kid.

The great thing about writing for that age is that tweens still have a wacky sense of humor and a healthy sense of wonder (they haven't yet been waylaid by the hormonal angst of the teen years), yet they can deal with pretty sophisticated ideas and complex plots.

I love the tweens. I feel this is the best age to challenge, mold and encourage. If you grow their thirst for knowledge and adventure now, no telling where they'll go as an adult. Tell us about your new book. How did it come about and share your favorite excerpt/scene.

When I was in third third grade, I loved a book called Ghosts Who Went to School, by Judith Spearing, about a family of ghosts who move into a new neighborhood and send their two ghost kids to the public school (full of normal, living children).

Ebenezer's Locker was my attempt to put ghosts into a school, only the ghosts are not kids. They are residents of the building from its past, when it used to be a school for Psychical Research, during the heyday of American Spiritualism. There used to be many such schools.

How has writing affected your life? And what's your favorite part of being a writer?

I love the solitary, intellectual nature of writing. The Internet has really helped keep this element a positive, since I can work on my own yet feel connected to colleagues at the same time. I also love having control of my days (at least those days when I'm not teaching). Writing must be very difficult for people who can't schedule their own time well.

And I should not neglect to mention how much I love to tell stories! On a good day, the plot just spins out like thread through my fingers, and that's a great feeling.

That's a great feeling to have the story flow. What advice can you give regarding the writing process?

This is such an individual thing. All I can do is say how I work: Perhaps because my dad is a journalist, I write very quickly and confidently. Not everyone can do that. The benefits are obvious: I get lots done. The potential problem is that I'm too confident, which sometimes causes me to resist making major changes that would improve the work. That's why I have a bunch of terrific beta readers, who advise me on how my story works by considering it with fresh eyes.

A good critique group is worth their weight in gold, isn't it? Regarding publication and marketing, what advice can you offer aspiring writers?

Writing and marketing are both big jobs, and quite separate from each other. It's easy to get buried in one to the exclusion of the other. I recommend doing a bit of both each day, but you have to figure out what works for you.

Excellent points. How can your fans find, follow or friend you?

Readers are welcome to follow my Tweets http://twitter.com/#!/AnneEJohnson, subscribe to my Facebook Author page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anne-E-Johnson-Author/249053641780972, and visit my blog http://anneejohnson.blogspot.com/.

Here's a bit about Anne's book, Ebenezer's Locker. Look for it in June, 2012…

A hundred years ago, Corbin Elementary School's building housed Dr. Ebenezer Corbin's School for Psychical Research. It seems that a couple of old spirits are still wandering the halls. It's up to Rhonda Zymler to find out what they want.

Ebenezer's Locker follows the adventures of Rhonda, a sassy fifth-grader who's having trouble finding her place and identity. Getting to know these spirits becomes Rhonda's quest. The more she digs, the more perilous her task becomes, and to complete it she must take two trips back in time. This story blends the realities of an economically-challenged modern American town with supernatural elements. What Rhonda finds not only gives her life a sense of purpose, but changes the fortunes of her entire town.

Thanks for joining me here today, Anne. It has been such a treat to read about your upcoming work.
C.K. Volnek