K.C. Sprayberry's Blog, page 185

Review & Fun Interview: Rewrite Redemption by J.H. Walker


Ah, Friday! Another week has sped past at light speed. Before we dive into a long, hot, summer weekend, Out of Control Characters would love to bring you some information about J.H. Walker's Rewrite Redemption. We also have a summer themed fun interview.


First, we're going to check out our author, J.H. Walker.



My life has been rather unconventional. Born insanely curious into an authoritarian, religious family, I know what it’s like to not fit in. My teen years were a struggle, and I remember them in all their intensity. That’s why I like writing for young adults.
I grew up in Central America, surrounded by jungle, and was never too far from the ocean. I observed other cultures, including an indigenous tribe that, at the time, had seen little of the modern world. While there, I slept in a hammock in a bamboo hut, dressed in tribal clothing, and helped bring three babies into the world in at the tender age of fourteen. I survived a hurricane aboard an ocean liner, canoeing through alligator infested waters, P.E., my brother’s pet tarantulas, sky diving, parasailing over the Pacific shoreline, rock climbing, a ropes course blindfolded, and walking barefoot across hot coals. I’m not done having experiences.
I attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, but was so obsessed in my quest to understand human behavior; I left midstream to travel the country and study with people doing groundbreaking work in the field. I’m certified in Ericksonian Hypnosis, am a Master of Neuro-linguistic Programming and have worked with world-class athletes, including members of the U.S. Ski Team. I’ve completed advanced studies with some of the most brilliant minds of my time in the field of NLP and am a perpetual student of sociology and human behavior.
I live with my photographer husband in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies. I’m surrounded by trees. And I will always remain insanely curious. Here's where you can find J.H. Walker on the web: FacebookWebsiteTwitterGoodreadsAmazon Author Page  Here are J.H. Walker's thoughts on some fun summer things to do:


1.     It's almost ice cream season. What's your favorite flavor and why?I don’t indulge often. But once in a while there’s a day where the sky is blue, the sun is shining, and the moment just screams for ice cream. My fave is Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia—I like it in a cone. I think some of us never lose that childhood love for swirling it with our tongues. And as for the Cherry Garcia, I love those little bits of sweet cherries in the midst of creamy smoothness—uummm. It’s calling to me right now, sigh. Why’d you go and do that? There’s probably a pint in the freezer. Now I’m going to have to…

2.     School's out. Do you have kids? If so, how does their presence affect your writing schedule?
I have wonderful children—a son, and a daughter. They’re old enough to not impact my writing at all. They are very supportive of all my creative endeavors. But I remember back when they were young, and I’m amazed at how writers with little ones get anything done. My hat is off to them.
 3.     Do you have any plans to vacation this year? Where? Why?
We’re going to try to get away to Lake Powel on the border between Utah and Arizona. Other than my home, it’s my favorite place on the planet. It’s so quiet and peaceful there, which makes it the perfect place to lay back and let your mind just wander. It’s not your usual roundish lake. It’s actually a huge canyon 186 miles long, that’s been flooded and turned into a water reserve. The canyon walls are massive red-rock formations and are spectacular. We rent a houseboat and take it way back in the canyons to remote locations.
 You can find places where you have your own little beach and lagoon and complete privacy. The water is crystal clear and the walls of rock are absolutely breathtaking. I think it hits a primal instinct deep inside me that’s strangely soothing. There’s no clutter there—no buildings, telephone wires, billboards, or streetlights. There’s nothing but water, and rock, and sky, and at night you make a fire. I love paring down to the basic elements for a bit. It’s incredibly relaxing.
 4.     You're in the local mall. There is a group of teens nearby. Do you eye roll and head in the other direction, or do you hang around to get valuable information for your next project?
No eye rolling for me, ha. I love teenagers. If they’d talk to me, I’d love to pump them for info. I’m not one of those adults who think that my generation’s takes on hairstyles, fashion, music, etc. are the “right” ones, and that everything I’m not accustomed to is somehow “wrong.” I think that every generation has the right and almost obligation to reinvent itself, express itself…make its mark on society. Although in terms of fashion, I do have to say that Doc Martens were a heck of a lot easier on the feet and back than these six-inch heels girls are wearing today. I don’t know how anyone walks around school all day on those things. I blame TV shows like Pretty Little Liars for foisting that one on you. I say, rebel against it, ha. Go barefoot.
 5.     What's your favorite reason to fire up your barbecue?
The first beautiful spring day. I’m extremely lucky to live surrounded by nature. Have a few friends over, sit out on the back deck, talk, and watch the sun go down. Or maybe it’s just a quiet evening with my husband and I. I’ve been incredibly lucky to be married to the love of my life and best friend. That old grill has seen a lot of use. And I expect it will see a lot more in the decades to come.   Here's my take on this fascinating book: (Just a huge hint - I am looking forward to more of this group of friends!)   A.J. has a code she lives by, ten rules to remain invisible. She time travels and worries about being noticed, but she also has a lot of baggage, so the need to get through life unnoticed. Constantine did one selfish thing in his life as an Editor and is paying a high price. Then he meets A.J. and has the chance to change everything. Will that change rip them apart forever? J.H. Walker tale of two teens caught up in time travel, one as an Editor and the other as a Shadow, in a way to draw in even the most reluctant reader. The pace is extremely fast, with a few exceptions of what feels like far too much information dumped onto the reader. The attraction between Constantine and A.J. builds slowly, and gives the reader the sense this couple is meant to be together forever, while also setting up a scenario where they are separated well. There were a few things that jarred this story. First being the use of first person throughout, even though the story is told from A.J. and Constantine's viewpoints. The potential for confusion was great, unless the reader concentrates on details from previous chapters. Third person would have been better for this novel, to allow the reader to keep up without moving backward. There are normal teens with extraordinary powers and tremendous responsibilities, yet they still project the sense of hanging onto what it's all about to be a teen. I loved how their attraction added to the plot rather than detracting from it. The characters are very real. They're not perfect. Their incredible talents don't make them rock stars. There are, however, drawbacks to both A.J. and Constantine's constant dwelling on the negatives in their lives. It appears they revel in being different so much they're afraid of change. This is a book I'd recommend for any teen interested in time travel. There are enough twists to keep them reading, and hungering for more. And, wait for it ... you know something this fan-tab-ulous must have a giveaway. Oh yes, we have a giveaway today. It's a Rafflecopter, so you know you have to click below to enter!  a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Cover Reveal: Winter Night Falling by: Bryan R. South


Today, Out of Control Characters welcomes Bryan R. South. We're revealing the cover for the an exciting new series - Ti-aran Chronicles: Rise of the Guardian Book 1 Winter Night Falling. First, though, let's get to know a little more about Bryan and the great team behind this book.


  Book Title: Winter Night FallingSeries:  Ti-aran Chronicles: Rise of the Guardians Book OneEdition: SecondAuthor: Bryan R. SouthPublisher: Freaky Fiction Writing Cover Art: Bryan Rainey Reveal Organizer: Cu’s Ebook Giveaways    Bryan R South  was born and Raised in the Pacific Northwest. He Graduated Kamiakin Highschool  in 1993 . Bryan has had several poems published and has been working on the Rise of the Guardians Series since he was 16, and did his senior year paper on being a fantasy novelist.   He has worked as a Linecook, in construction, and other odd jobs. He resides with his wife and fell author, S. Cu’Anam Policar, and their children in the Pacific Northwest still. FacebookGoodreadsWebsiteSmashwords     The Four Kingdoms are in peril. A demon Lord thought forever imprisoned in limbo has escaped and begins to summon his Horde once again to take his revenge. In his twisted black iron tower he summons a massive wall of darkness that brings the winter storms in the fullest. Now the Four Kingdoms are each proud and full of itself.  All the races of the realms must come together and fight the demon lord once again. Magic has been outlawed, and it is up to the reawakened Grand Mage, an eccentric old man, and what is left of the Mage Knights, as well as a budding Guardian to try to keep the peace. Can the Grand Mage and his friends get the other kingdoms to move in time to stop the Demon Lord? Does the Demon Lord have more than one objective now that he is free? Only time will tell.   

Fairy Dust by Carol Shenold

Welcome to the Out of Control Characters stop in Sensuous Promo’s Book Tour for Carol Shenold’s, Fairy Dust.

Can a half-fairy and a were wolf find true love and save the world the same day?
 
 

 
Fairy Dust by Carol Shenold
 
Half fae/half witch, Ande Ryan’s deepest desires are simple: a stress-free, fun evening with a nice guy, to earn the respect of her peers in the Paranormal Investigation Unit, and at long last, learn to use her Goddess given fae magic.
 
Instead, she fights a demon, gets mugged by a pixie, meets her soul mate and oh yeah, has to try and defeat a wizard with the help of a six-foot elf and a wolf—Cal Masterson.
 
Cal had no idea that his first encounter with Ande Ryan would include a fight with a demon or an intense attraction to the red-haired fairy who displays as much courage and determination as any wolf in his pack. Will Cal overcome his need to protect her as they both fight the odds and allow her fulfill her destiny?
 
Purchase from AMAZON
http://tinyurl.com/crq2vf6
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Excerpt
 
The thing coming at me barreled out of the trees, leaping from shadow to shadow.
 
Its rotten-meat smell drove me back. It didn’t hesitate before it threw itself at the circle shield. Sparks flew off, crackling in the air and weakening the shield. It kept coming, like the crazy it was, slamming itself into the arc, weakening it more and more until one of the impacts threw me back, into my own energy and through it. 
 
Okay, out of protection here. I threw myself over to land on my knees and came up in a crouch.
 
The ghoul looked around as if it couldn’t figure out where I went. When it saw me, it let out a snarl and flew toward me. I sent a stream of earth fire at his sorry ass but missed because I levitated at the precise moment I let the stream of fire loose. Ahhhhh.
 
It always happens at the wrong time. If I ever get control of the flying thing, it will be so great. 
 
Now the darkling was truly confused, and I sent another tiny but forceful fire stream toward him. This time I didn’t miss, and he burst into flame, at least his arm did.
 
He screamed with frustration because he couldn’t see where I was, flailed around a bit, and ran back into the trees.
 
“Damn it.” I needed down before the hell dog came back so I could get rid of it.
 
What if some kid came along. Not one child but several, in a group, with a leader came skipping toward the bridge. Damn, I shouldn’t have had that thought out-loud.
 
“Go back,” I yelled as loud as I could. “Hurry. Run.” The kids were chattering at the top of their lungs. The leader tried to push them faster, wanting out of the park before the sun set altogether I guessed. They didn’t hear a word I said.
 
Shadows crept toward them, and one shadow moved away from the others. It was back and heading straight toward the kids.
 
“Up here, idiot. Leave the kids alone. I’m your prey. Come on, use that one cell you have for a brain.”
 
“Oomph.” I dropped like a dead fairy, directly in front of the thing. I was toast.
 
 
 

Guest Post: Keeping It Old, Making It New by Carl R. Brush

Good morning all! Today, on Out of Control Characters, I'm hosting fellow Solstice Author, Carl R. Brush. He's going to be talking about one of my favorite subjects, how to successfully write historical fiction. Before we see what he has to say. let's learn a little more about Carl and his books!



Once upon a time . . . (as all the best stories begin) I taught school (English and Drama). Now I write, travel, direct community theater plays, and work as a Child Care Technician (all right, babysitter) for my grandkids. I’ve had two musical dramas (authored book and lyrics, not the music) produced non-professionally.
My fiction has been published in on-line in a number of “e-zines” and journals.  (See the FLASH FICTION page).
My main current project is a trilogy of historical novels set in and around San Francisco.

FacebookGoodreadsWebsiteTwitter       Not again. It’s taken Andy Maxwell two years—1908-1910—to help his family recover from the vendetta that nearly killed his mother, burned their Sierra Nevada ranch house, and exhumed some long-buried family secrets—including the fact that his father was black. At last, Andy thinks, he can return to University of California and pursue his history doctorate in peace. Not so. First of all, it turns out they don’t want a miscegenated mongrel in the Ph.D. program. Just when he’s enlisted the eminent San Francisco journalist, Ambrose Bierce, to help him attack that problem, it turns out that marauder who started all the trouble in the first place didn’t stay Shanghaied. Michael Yellow Squirrel is back for another try at eliminating every last Maxwell on earth. So much for school. And then there’s the election. Reform gubernatorial candidate Hiram Johnson wants Andy to run for the California legislature and help foil the railroad barons. And then there are the women - the debutante beauty and the Arapaho princess… The Maxwell VendettaThe Second Vendetta And here's what you came here for today!     Well, well, here I am at KC Sprayberry’s blog, happy and honored to be here. Kathi asked me to say a few words about the process of writing historical fiction, so I’ve brought along (I’m afraid) more than a few. Once I get started talking about this, it’s hard to stop. Thanks a million for the opportunity to talk about my craft and my new book, and I hope the piece below provides some entertainment and insight.     KEEPING IT OLD, MAKING IT NEW   Those of us who write historical fiction borrow trouble. We know going in that we’ll need to load up on old-timey factoids and screen out modern influences. But, Lord help us, we’re so addicted to our eras there’s no twelve-stepping our way out of them. Thus, we dive into a sea of Google and library searches looking for delicious tidbits to authenticate and spice up our tales. I have ever loved the history of California, particularly of San Francisco. I could try to justify my fascination, I suppose, but the truth is, it’s just a given for me. Like my white hair, nothing much I can do about it. For my The Maxwell Vendetta and its sequel, The Second Vendetta I chose turn-of-the century San Francisco and its (fairly) nearby Sierra Nevada partly because I could tie it in with my great-grandparents’ wagon train trip across the plains in 1864, whence they came to settle in Northern California. Plus, the beginning of the 20thCentury was such a yeasty time for the Golden State that I can’t imagine a more fertile ground for storytelling. You had the horse-and- buggy and telegraph competing with the new-fangled automobile and telephone; locomotives speeding around a countryside inhabited by a population of farmers and townsfolk which still included a fair measure of Civil War veterans. (You can meet a couple in The Maxwell Vendetta.); a battle between populists and corporate moguls; racists and misogynists oppressing minorities, and the minorities fighting back. Some of the themes sound modern, don’t they? But dress in them in period attire, and it’s like changing your perspective ninety degrees or so. Same, but different. Old, but fresh. Once you’ve go your era, then, like every other writer, you need a story. Mine is the tale of Andy Maxwell and his struggle to keep one foot on the family’s Sierra ranch and the other in the city and the University of California’s halls of academe. All while trying to survive the onslaughts of a marauder seeking to avenge a wrong connected with that 1864 wagon train. A wrong Andy had nothing to do with. Story in hand, you start writing, and you think you have a pretty good picture of the whole, but then come those pesky details? You want someone to use a safety pin. Did they exist? (Yes. Invented 1849) Adhesive tape? (1848) Condoms? (All the way back to the Egyptians). Of course there’s the matter of vocabulary. Turns out, for example, that “thug” is okay, but “goon” is an anachronism. Or you want someone to take a ferry across the bay. What’s the fare? You could just skip it, but you become a victim of your own curiosity, and the less information you find, the more you’re compelled to search. Turns out a number of companies operated such boats until Southern Pacific undercut them all and monopolized the trade. Twenty-five cents was the fare during the years of my tale. I had to cross the bay myself from Oakland to the San Francisco library for that one. A subcategory of vocabulary is diction. You can’t exactly reproduce archaic dialogue. Don’t want to anyhow. Too off-putting. But you do want a flavor. So you do little things like substitute “wish” for “want”; “essay” or “attempt” for “try” “must” for “have to”; “ever loved” for “always loved.” Occasionally there’s a moment of panic when a key element of your story turns sour. In The Maxwell Vendetta, I have Andy traveling travelling over the Nevada desert hidden in the coal tender of a locomotive. The book was virtually finished when I visited a train museum and found out that during 1906-1908, locomotives switched from coal to oil and that the oil tank in the coal tender cars left no room for a guy to hide out. I finessed the matter by positing a transition period in which my protagonist was lucky to find a coal tender among the new-fangled oil cars, and the story escaped unscathed (I hope). As for the rest of the job, the rules of good storytelling apply to us historical folks as much as they do in any other genre. And, in the end, no matter how scrupulous you are, you’re going to miss something, and someone’s going to find it. Readers of historical novels, like readers of detective fiction, love to catch their authors in a discrepancy of plot or fact or historical detail. So, of course, we indulge them. After all, perfection, like purity, isn’t all that much fun, is it?        

Cover Revel and Giveaway - Skin Deep by Megan D. Martin

Title:  Skin Deep
Author:  Megan D. Martin Series:  #1 of The Eternal Forces Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Publisher:  Dragonfairy Press
Expected Release Date:   Fall 2013
What would you do to have the body of your dreams?

Kiera hates being overweight and hides behind thick layers of clothing. One night, her friends present an opportunity that seems impossible to believe. With a single spell, she can have the thin physique she's always coveted.

But all magic comes with a price: no sex or she'll revert back to her old body. Kiera accepts the cost. It's not like she has men lined up at her door. Obeying this one tiny rule isn't difficult at all—until the night she meets Cain, a were-tiger and a soldier with the Eternal Forces.

When a slew of unexplained murders forces Kiera and Cain together, they'll have to face the horrors of their pasts. Will Kiera realize she is worth more than her outward appearance? Or will she make the wrong the choice and lose everything—including her life?



About the Author Megan D. Martin is a multi-published author, mother, student and editor. In her spare time she enjoys decorating her house with strange things that do not match, playing her old school Nintendo Entertainment System, and buying fish for her many fish tanks.
You can find Megan on pretty much every social networking site that exists.
Blog: http://www.MeganDMartin.blogspot.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/authormegandmartinTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/Megan_D_MartinGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6656963.Megan_D_MartinGoogle+: https://plus.google.com/115096823539939478098/postsInstagram: http://instagram.com/meeegannVine: Meeegann Giveaway Info $15 Amazon GCa Rafflecopter giveaway

Promo: The Star by C. Warner-Thompson

Welcome aboard Out of Control Characters for a release day promotion! Our featured novelist today is C. Warner-Thompson with her young adult urban fantasy book The Star!



First, we'll get to know a bit about our star of the day, C. Warner-Thompson!


I was born in England in the West Midlands in 1991 where I am still currently living, growing up alongside one younger and three older brothers.Books and writing was an interest that I began to develop from the first years of secondary school, and on my thirteenth birthday, I began to plan and design the idea to write a fantasy novel. I finished secondary school with high GCSE’s and then went on into further education to study English and all aspects of art and design. After six years of writing, planning and overall editing of the book, it was successfully completed, containing over 82,000 words, and self published in the first week of 2011.

With high expectations in myself, I immediately began to write a second novel in the series, while keeping my art and design a part of the process. The achievement of completing the first novel ‘Purest Light,’ allowed the ideas of the second to flow much easier and it was completed by early 2012. As I was writing the third and final book, New Beginnings, at the same time, the series was finished by its publication in 2013.
Writing is now a part of my everyday and I have started on my newest project, The Star, which is also planned to be the first of three. Only time will tell. Where can you find C. Warner-Thompson on the web? Try these links! FacebookTwitterGoodreads      And now, we'll check  out her book, which, I might add, I'm dying to read! Abbii had been afraid of the dark for four long years. She hated the eerie silence that filled the night.She would often try to forget by closing her eyes at night, but she would always be met by dreams of Shadows that would attack her, dragging her into the Darkness. Most nights, she would simply lie there with her bedding wrapped tightly around her, staring at the light coming in through her window, hoping that she would drift off into a dreamless sleep.Ever since that day four years ago, the dark had frightened her; she had thought it would be a curse throughout the whole of her life, but something changed when she met him.The dark seemed to lose its power and the moon’s light brightened.Her dreams didn’t stop; nightmares still stole her sleep, but there was always a figure of Light that would save her and allow her to wake.He said the same thing every night in her dreams. Keep fighting, Abbii.She thought that he was part of her imagination, someone that she had created to save her, until she met him and was drawn into his bright hazel eyes.His name was Nate. Here's a teaser of what you can expect inside the cover of The Star! Nate signalled for her to move forward, watching as she did after a brief hesitation. She stopped several strides in front of him and waited for him to speak. “How many windows are there?” Not really understanding the relevance of counting windows, Abbii turned to count them. “No!” Startled by Nate’s outburst, she glared at him, more out of shock than malice. “Without turning.” He watched as confusion took over her face. “Close your eyes and focus on the energy of the sunlight beaming through the glass.” Abbii shuffled in her place, not really understanding, but when Nate smiled, she did as she was asked. She closed her eyes, immediately feeling self conscious that Nate’s gaze was focused onto her. “Clear your mind of everything else. Think of somewhere you feel calm.” Keeping her eyes closed, Abbii took in Nate’s statement. She felt her heartbeat increase and her breath seemed shallow, but as she relaxed her shoulders, the rest of her body seemed to follow. She listened to the faint breeze that circled through the large space, hearing leaves pitter-pattering against the wooden floor. “Anywhere you feel calm.” Although her mind was full of questions and worries and a fear that she would lose herself, Abbii found that an image began to form in her head. Bursts of blue and silver light soothed her, and once the image had focused, she realised why. She could see the lake at The Everglades, with the moon reflected clearly upon its surface. The stars were shining brightly, and the air was still. The feeling of calm which enveloped her felt uplifting. “Now keep that feeling inside of you and focus onto the light of the sun.” Not at all distracted by Nate’s words, Abbii kept hold of the calmness inside of her and expanded her mind in some way, feeling the energy of the sunlight. She could feel its warmth and the way it passed through the glass of the bay windows. The years of dirt and dust made no difference; the power of the sunlight beamed through it without faltering. “How many are there, Abbii?” Realising that she could sense several different areas of the sunlight’s energy, Abbii realised that each one represented one of the windows. There are eight.  Where do you find The Star? Check out these links! Smashwords Paperback 

Blind Dating by: Kerry Taylor

   Good morning, everyone! I sure do hope you're having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Before you fire up that grill, and start charring burgers, hot dogs, bratwursts let's take a moment to check out Blind Dating by Kerry Taylor.


First we'll get to know a little bit more about Kerry Taylor:



A single mom of three living in Madrid, Kerry Taylor has been through many tugs-of-war in her life – from being stalked and abused to separated from her estranged husband – all while expressing her life through writing in different forms.
She has released a series of autobiographies in the form of short stories and poetry: Stones of My Heart, Life’s Pebbles, Emotional Rollercoaster of a Single Mom, and Gravels of Moments.
Blog Goodreads Smashwords Twitter Facebook 
Of course, we all know location is all important in romance writing. Here's Kerry's ideas on that:

Location, Location, Location

Why is this important in a romance novel?
Every reader feels the need to visualise where the novel is based, therefore, I feel it is just as important as building the features and emotions of the characters.  In order to state the emotions that the characters are feeling it has to contain the scene.  They need to feel that they are the character and setting the scene is the only way that you can allow the reader to do this and it is one of the hardest things to do in my opinion but every writer is different.
And now my take on Blind Dating:



Kimberly feels trapped by everything in her life. A no-good ex-husband who never lifted a finger to seriously help her, even before their marriage. Twin daughters and a son who are good, but who also lean more on Kimberly's younger sister for the important things. The "oh, I should have married them" former boyfriends. All this leads her to try a dating site, and that's when the fun begins.
As I read this book, I noticed one thing. It's more slice of life than light romantic comedy, and I could relate to it. Granted I only had two children to raise by myself, and there was no internet connections at the time I divorced my first husband – therefore no easy way to meet men, but our lives parallel in one way – the feeling you never have time for anything but kids, getting to and from school, sports, events, visitation, and the rest of your life revolves around work, errands, and housecleaning.
That being said, the book was a good read. It moved fast, which is good for anything light. But there was a lack of good plotting. The subject jumped around, and at times, I felt as if I were reading a treatise on womanly complaints. All in all, the story is good because so many women can relate to it.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.  Pick up your copy here: Amazon 
  

The Dream Tour by J.J. DiBenedetto


Today, we have a character interview and reviews of the first four books of the Dreams books by J.J. DiBenedetto. Before we begin, let's get to know a little more about this talented author.



J.J. (James) DiBenedetto was born in Yonkers, New York. He attended Case Western Reserve University, where as his classmates can attest, he was a complete nerd. Very little has changed since then.
He currently lives in Arlington, Virginia with his beautiful wife and their cat (who has thoroughly trained them both). When he's not writing, James works in the direct marketing field, enjoys the opera, photography and the New York Giants, among other interests.
The "Dreams" series is James' first published work. You can find J.J. here on the web: BlogFacebookFacebook Fan PageAmazon Author PageAmazon Author Page - U.K.GoodreadsSmashwords We're interviewing Beth, the best friend of the main character, Sara, today. Sit back and enjoy what Beth has to say:  Thanks for talking to us.Sure.  I’ve got a few minutes before my next patient comes is.  What do you want to know?Let’s start at the beginning.  When did you first meet Sara?(laughing) God, it was, what is it now, almost fourteen years ago?  It was the middle of the summer, and I get this phone call.  Some girl who’s going to be my roommate.  She called the housing office to find out, before they even sent the letters out.  She had a whole list of what she was bringing.  She wanted to plan everything out so our dorm room would be organized.  I thought she was crazy.What did you think when you saw her in person?I still thought she was crazy.  And uptight.  And annoying as hell.  And boring, too.So you weren’t friends right away?No.  She drove me nuts, and – I guarantee you she’ll never admit it – I know I did the same to her.  What happened to change that?Unlike Sara, I had a social life right from the start.  And a love life.  Unfortunately, one night, I wasn’t as careful as I should have been, and three weeks after that, I was afraid I might be pregnant.  I’d never had a scare before, and I kind of freaked out.  Seeing me frightened like that touched Sara.  No matter what she thought of me, she couldn’t stand to see how upset and worried I was.  She took charge.  She went into the drugstore and bought the test for me, and she stood next to me, holding my hand the whole time, while I took it.  How could we not be friends after that?Did Sara loosen up after that?Very slowly.  She trusted me more afterwards, and she let me drag her out to parties at least occasionally.  And when she finally got a boyfriend, that spring, she asked my advice about pretty much everything.  By the time our freshman year ended, she was able to let her hair down and have fun on her own, at least once in a while.What did you think when her dreams started?I was completely freaked out; anyone would be.  But she was my best friend, and I did my best to just be supportive.  She did so much for me, it was the least I could do for her.What was your first impression of Brian?It wasn’t much.  He was a freshman, he looked so young.  He was very nervous – not just his words, but his body language.  It was so obvious.  I had no idea what Sara saw in him.  But I was wrong.  I don’t think I’ve ever been wronger about anyone in my life.  He stepped up for her, right from the start, and those nerves – gone.  Were you jealous about him?Absolutely!  I can admit it.  I tried not to show it and just be happy for Sara, but I know she saw it.  To tell you the truth – and this is something else she’ll never admit – I think she enjoyed it a little bit.As a psychologist, what do you think about Sara’s dreams?  Why does she have them?Because deep down, her most basic impulse is to help people.  That’s who she is, when you peel everything else away.  I can’t even pretend to understand how it works physically, why she can see dreams and other people can’t, but I know it’s her subconscious desire to take care of people that makes her see the particular dreams she does.  She always sees dreams that lead her to a problem she can solve.  That isn’t a coincidence.I see your next patient is waiting outside.  Thank you for taking the time to talk with us.Anytime!  Next time, you could ask a little more about me.  My life isn’t exactly boring, you know!Wow! With a friend like Beth, Sara is safe for the rest of her life. Now, onward and upward, we're getting to the books. And what lovely books they are. I thoroughly each one. Here are the blurbs, reviews, and links for them: Dream Student: Blurb: What would you do if you could see other people’s dreams?  If you could watch their hidden fantasies and uncover their deepest, darkest secrets…without them ever knowing?Sara Barnes is about to find out.  She thought that all she had to worry about was final exams, Christmas shopping and deciding whether she likes the cute freshman in the next dorm who’s got a crush on her.But when she starts seeing dreams that aren’t hers, she learns more than she ever wanted to know about her friends, her classmates…and a strange, terrifying man whose dreams could get Sara killed.“Dream Student” is the thrilling first installment of the Dreams series.Review:
Sara Barnes is a typical pre-med college student, until her dreams become far too real to deal with. One dream brings Brian Alderson into her life, and with the help of her roommate, they stumble onto a series of mysterious murders that have Sara caught up in the middle of them.J.J. DiBendetto's tale of dreams being broadcast much like radio waves captures the reader from the very first page. Some of the experiences are extremely normal – the showing up naked for a major exam is something any college student can attest to dreaming about – but a singular theme comes from the nightmares, and DiBendetto plots out the situation with ease. The reader might constantly wonder why people aren't using Google Maps to find a location, or grabbing their cell phones to make instant calls, but this tale is set in 1989/1990, and the lack of those features adds a great element of suspense to the hunt for the college professor turned into a murdering man bent on revenge.

Dream Student is a fabulous suspense tale, one that deserves a look, and a dive into the next story in this series immediately.
Dream Student - Amazon
Dream Doctor:
 Blurb:
“I didn’t expect to be woken up by someone I don’t know dreaming about killing somebody.  I thought I was done with that once and for all…”
But Sara’s not done with it.  As if adjusting to life as a newlywed and starting medical school weren’t difficult enough, she’s started seeing the dreams of everyone around her, again.  Before everything is said and done, those dreams might destroy Sara’s hopes of becoming a doctor, wreck her marriage and even end her life…
“Dream Doctor” is the thrilling second novel in the Dreams series.
Review:
Sara and Brian are back, as a married couple. He's working overtime to complete his bachelor's degree six months early, and she's in medical school. Their lives are hectic enough, but the dreams return to haunt Sara with another mystery, one she can't ignore.
J.J. DiBenedetto dives right into this suspense novel with Sara and Brian's wedding, followed by the couple working through college and medical school as newlyweds. The dreams this time are tighter, more involved with Sara's direct life, more in synch with the suspense of who-done-it. The story flows in a tight, concentrated manner, leaving the reader satisfied, but also willing to go on to the next step. I found this novel to be extremely interesting, and I can't wait to find out what the future holes.Dream Doctor - Amazon
Dream Child:

Blurb:
"I would give anything to take this away from her.  I would gladly go back to having the nightmares myself – the very worst ones, the ones that had me waking up screaming in a pool of my own vomit – rather than see Lizzie go through this..."
As a resident at Children's Hospital, Sara can handle ninety hour workweeks, fighting to save her young patients from deadly childhood diseases.  But she's about to be faced with a challenge that all her training and experience haven't prepared her for: her four-year-old daughter has inherited her ability to see other people's dreams...
"Dream Child" is the suspenseful third novel in the "Dreams" series.
Review:
Sara and Brian are now the proud parents of almost four-year-old Lizzie, and three-month-old twins, Ben and Stephanie. Their lives are rushed, with Sara a resident and Brian an aeronautical engineer, but their children are the most important. When young Lizzie starts having the same dreams as her mother, the couple is faced with a difficult decision.J.J. DiBenedetto's tale of a family sharing the same psychic dreams moves very well. The lives of this young couple seem to be a race from one place to another, something readers can relate to. The suspense part of this tale grows with quite a few twists and turns, until the ending – which I didn't figure out until that moment. Kudos for a well written tale. Definitely worth another read.

Dream Child - Amazon
Dream Family:
 Blurb:
"Why is this so hard for me?  Why am I having so much trouble?  Why do I feel so helpless, so hopeless?  What the hell is wrong with me?"
After tangling with murders and mobsters, not to mention medical school and three years of residency, Sara thought she could handle anything.  And then the police show up without warning at her new office and arrest her for a crime she can't possibly have committed.  Sara's confidence, and her grip on reality, is shattered during one terrifying night in jail.
Now, the very dreams that have endangered her life and driven her to the edge of madness may be the only thing that can help Sara find herself again...
"Dream Family" is the powerful fourth novel in the "Dreams" series.

Review:
Dr. Sara Alderson and her family relocate to Washington DC. She and her husband have been offered prime jobs in their professions. On the very first day of running her own pediatric practice with a friend, Sara is arrested for prescription fraud. The next two weeks are the worst of Sara's life, and she actually blocks out some of the depredations she suffers.J.J. DiBenedetto's incredible talent is very visible in this fourth installment of the Dreams series. He takes the reader through the shock of an inexplicable arrest, through the arrest and booking procedure an unprepared woman should never have to endure, to the healing process. But this healing process isn't without mountains to scale, and DiBenedetto handles the journey with great care.

Of all the Dreams books, this one is my favorite. Sara grows, both as a woman and as a doctor, as she fights for her sanity. Each word, each sentence, captures the essence of the characters. Not only is this book worth many reads, it has left me panting for the promised fifth book in the series.Dream Family - Amazon Thanks for stopping by today, J.J. DiBenedetto. I know, and I think I can say for anyone who has read these books, we really want to know when we'll see book 5, and what it will involve.

The Crimson Clan by David R. Bennett


Wow! Do we have a great book today on Out of Control Characters. David R. Bennett is also one of my fellow authors at Freaky Fiction Writing for my soon-to-be released book: Canoples Investigations Tackles Space Pirates. Enough about me. Let's get on to David's great book: The Crimson Clan.


First, we're going to get to know a little more about David. He is, after all, the genuis behind this book:



David R Bennett is an author from Spring, Texas in the United States of America. He lives with his wife, Brandy, and his son, Ethan.
David R Bennett is a pen name that comes the reordering of his initials real initials. He, also, thinks the name has a ring to it.
Not only is he an author, he, also, is an illustrator. His real name is what is credited with the cover art to his novels.
He attended Rocky Mountain College if Art + Design in Denver, Colorado where he earned a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Advertising Graphic Design. The graphic design techniques he learned in college he uses to design his covers.
He, also, reads a lot of sci-fi / fantasy / paranormal books. Some of his favorite monsters are vampires, mummies, zombies, goblins, ghouls, werewolves, etc. He has plans to write a long string of novels in the Destiny Phoenix series and a series about an alien coming to Earth in the Alien Survivor series. Both of these series are planned as Young Adult novels.
His favorite horror flick is Resident Evil because it is scary to think that biological warfare could one day result in human extinction by undead creatures. And his favorite series of films is Star Wars and is excited about the next film coming out in 2015. You can find David on the web here: BlogGoodreadsSmashwordsFacebookTwitter Lucky us, we get to interview Destiny Phoenix from the Crimson Clan. What does she have to say?



We are here with Destiny Phoenix and her constant companion, Chris Carpenter. I sit with them to learn a little more about two of the stars of Destiny Phoenix and the Crimson Clan.

David R Bennett: So what brought you two together?
Destiny Hope Phoenix: Don't you know?!? You told the tale.
Christopher Robert Carpenter: Des, this is for the readers.
DHP: Oh, well, um, I guess, our parents. We have known each other since we were little. Our parents were the best of friends.

DRB: Were you two surprised to learn that your parents had arranged for you to be wed so young?
CRC: I'd have to say, yes. They must have suspected that something was going to happen around the 16th birthday of Des and Sandy.
DHP: Yeah, I certainly will never forget my 16th birthday.

DRB: What do you two have planned for the future?
DHP: We haven't really given that much thought.
CRC: I think that it would be nice to settle down and have a family.
DHP: A family?!? Now?!?
CRC: Why not, Des? I love kids. Even a big kid myself.
DHP: No kidding. (rolls her eyes) I want a family, too, Chris just not right now.
CRC: Okay.

DRB: So what do you think if having a twin sister, Destiny?
DHP: Right now, it's little hard to fathom. But there has always been a close bond between me and Sandy.
CRC: They seemed to act like sisters more than best friends to me for as long as I can remember. It doesn't really surprise me. Kinda makes sense.
DHP: What do you mean?
CRC: I mean that Sandy and you always acted alike. There are not a whole lot of differences between you two to be honest.

DRB: Anything you'd like to add before we wrap up this interview?
DHP: You have not let us down when it comes to retelling our tale. And I appreciate that.
CRC: I appreciate that you have some scruples when it comes to scripting your work. I,for one, am glad that not all of our private lives our shown.
DHP (blushing): Christopher Robert!

DRB: Well, it's been nice chatting with you. I will talk to you later.
DHP: Thanks for having us, David.
CRC: See you later, bro.


And here's an excerpt of this compelling novel:


"I hope it won't take too long to find, Sandra," Destiny says.
"That depends on the power of Sandy's cell, Des." Chris mutters. "Try calling her."
I do as my hunky boyfriend suggests. I dial Sandra's phone on my brother's cell.
"Hello?" I hear from the other side of the phone with some panting in between the words. Quickly, she seems to stop. "Destiny?"
"Yeah, Sandra," I say. I can hear her gasping for breath. "Where are you?"
"What the hell is going on?" She screams into the phone frantically.
"We're on the way to pick you up."
"Can you kinda hurry," Sandra asks me. “I’ve got these weird pasty freaks on my tail. For what?  I don't know."
"Pasty freaks?" I say aloud. That's when I hear Brandonmutter some curse word and floor the gas pedal.
"Where are you at?"
"Near the Dillard's entrance by Four Oaks Drive."
"Okay, Sandra. Stay calm. We'll be there in five. Meet us at the west entrance of Dillard's."
"All right. Hurry." I hear the panic in Sandra's voice.
"Stay calm and peruse the store not to give any suspicions to the workers."
"K. See ya soon."
"Certainly." I say hanging up the phone.
"Destiny, what's going on?" Chris asks me as I can see the worry in his face. "Are the same ones after Sandythat invaded my home?"
"The exact same creatures. They want us. You, me, Brandon, and Sandra. They don't know about Little Michelle here. Let's keep it that way."
"Why?"
"We're the chosen slayers to bring balance back to this world," Brandonstates. "I was sent to a boarding school for my protection when I was nine just after the birth of Destiny."
"That sucks, bro." Chris says as we reach the Mall.
It did not take us long to figure out where Sandra was. People were rushing out the doors of Dillard's in fear. Obviously, these pasty creatures were in the store and have yet to find Sandra.
However, we spot Sandra easily. She managed to mix in with the crowd that rushed out of the store. We screech to a halt. Brandonpops open the back door for Sandra to jump in.
"Sandy, get in," Brandonsays to his sister.
"Your car?"
"Forget it. We can come back for it."
The dark haired brown-eyed best friend of mine, who stands at five-foot- four, an inch shorter than me, hurriedly, gets into the Tahoe. Sandra, quickly, jumps in and shuts the door.
"Chris, Miki, what's going on?" She says trying to catch her breath.
The white pasty creatures see us peel out around the Mall ring road as we make our escape after helping Sandra out.
"Hang on!" Brandon screams as one of the wraiths jumps out in front of our car. We run over it leaving a partially body badly squished all over the road.
"I've only heard if these guys before," Brandontells us. "I don't know how to defeat them."
"Oh, great, we're screwed," Chris mutters.
He, then, gets slapped on the shoulder as their little sister sits zoned out holding her legs. Michelle is totally out of it. This is out of her level of comprehension. Or so I thought.
"Don't worry, I know to defeat these wraiths." I calmly, and confidently,  say. Where did that come from? Interested? Ready to run enter a Rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win this book: Just click below and you're in the running!  http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fe782e51/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway
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The Mark of the Successor by KateMarie Collins

Today, we welcome fellow Solstice Publishing author KateMarie Collins to Out of Control Characters. Kate has quite a few books available, but today we're talking about her current release, The Mark of The Successor.


Let's get to know a bit more about KateMarie:


1.      Talk to us about The Mark of the Successor
It started as a challenge! I used to belong to an online writers group. When the group was really active, we’d throw out a single subject (sentence, situation, one word) each week. If inspiration struck, you wrote a short story on the topic. This particular week, the topic was a ‘known unknown’ – we had to take something everyone knew and write like the character had never seen it before. I chose a young, naïve child being sent to school for the first time, spotting the bus. The challenge piece itself is still in the book, as the prologue. The character, Lily, just would not get out of my head until I wrote an entire story.
 
2.      Author Bio
I was born in the late 1960’s, I currently live in Seattle Suburbia with my husband of 17 years, our two daughters, three cats, and more furry dust bunnies (thanks to the cats) than I care to count! I started writing in 2008. My first novel, Daughter of Hauk, released in 2012. The sequel to it should be out before the end of 2013.Yes, you can find KateMarie on the web, and we have the links to make it easier for you to get there.

Blog Twitter Facebook
Now, we're going to let Lily take over. Are there any embarassing moments in store for KateMarie? We shall soon find out!


1.      Introduce yourself to our readers. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?
            Um, hi. I’m Lily. I guess you’d say I’m the main character, but I’m not sure. There’s a lot more interesting people than just me.            I grew up in a strange way. Not strange for me, because I didn’t know any better at the time. But a lot of adults tried to help. It wasn’t until Heren showed up the one day, followed by Kade and Iris that night, that I even knew there was another world that I should’ve been a part of.

2.      What do you think about the author? Tell us everything. We want to know.            KateMarie listens really well! When she first started writing about me, I wouldn’t shut up! I kept asking her to add more to my story because I wanted to know what was next! I didn’t like everything she did, but there was a reason for it. Though I’m still pretty sad about Iris. I liked her.

3.      What are your feelings about this story?            It needed to be told. So many people are afraid of being who they should be! Controlling another person isn’t a kindness, they aren’t looking out for you because you can’t take care of yourself. They’re more interested in what they’ll gain. Breaking free of abuse of any kind is hard, but you need to do it. You’re stronger than you think, and it’s not easy, but you’ll be happier in the end.

4.      How do you feel about being a character in this book?
I cried. A lot. KateMarie doesn’t back down from some tough situations. I know some of her other characters in other books have had it much worse than I did, so I’m pretty glad she went easy on me. But it felt so good to get to the end and know I had the strength she wanted me to have.
5.      What do you see in your future? (No spoilers please!)            *Blush* Well, there’s the whole thing with Talin. And what’ll happen when my mom dies…but I want that to be a LONG time from now!

6.      Is there a sequel to The Mark of the Successor in the future? Will you be part of it?            I can’t rule out a sequel, but KateMarie hasn’t been working on one. She said something about wanting to see if there was a demand for it. Her first novel is part of a trilogy, and I know she wants to get that wrapped up. But she has promised I’d be playing some role in a sequel. The idea of focusing it on Talin has crossed her mind. I’d love that! There’s so much about him I want to know….*blush*

7.      Say a movie producer comes knocking. What actor/actress would you want to play you and why?            KateMarie absolutely loves Samantha Barks (she played Eppone in the movie version of Les Miserables), and I could see her playing me. But I’d also like to see someone who hasn’t got any big roles to their name, an unknown just starting out. After all, KateMarie’s still a relatively unknown author. Should she gain a loyal readership, she’d want to help someone else move forward career-wise as well.

Well, that's definitely more than I already know about KateMarie.

I had a chance to preview this book before its release, and let me tell you ... if you're a fantasy fan, if you love a good story of good triumphing over evil, and mostly if you absolutely adore a story where a teenager doesn't sit in a corner wailing and crying, you have found it. This book enthralled me from beginning to end. Here's what I think:

Lily has been raised as the abused and hidden child of Erena. Yet, changes are coming, changes that might or might not ensure Lily's survival in the future. The biggest change seems to be learning Lily is the stolen daughter of Keryth and Corvin, queen and king of Tiadar. Lily feels she's safe with her family now. But is she?

KateMarie Collins tale of a young woman destined for greatness, but knowing nothing of her future will delight young adult readers. The modern present blends with another world well, as Lily is transported to a society living in medieval splendor. Each word, each sentence, each paragraph is spare in its wording, but rich in meaning. Every turn of a page invites the reader to continue, to discover what happens next, and comes to an ending that while expected, still holds some surprises. I truly hope this isn't the finale of Collins' tale, but a beginning that will soon take us on another journey. Usually, I add in a few links where you can find The Mark of the Successor, but alas we don't have those yet. This delightful book will release later this week from Solstice Publishing, at which time I'll update this blog so you can get your copy.

Thank you for visiting us today, KateMarie Collins. Here's to success in all your ventures!