Joyce T. Strand's Blog, page 28

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Young Adult Author, Tista Ray

At almost 18 years old, Tista Ray wants to make a difference in the world. To that end she has written and published a coming-of-age novella MELANCHOLIC DELIGHT to help teens understand romanticism.

Tista is an Indian by birth who writes newspaper articles when she’s not working on her novels.

Q: How would you describe your new story, MELANCHOLIC DELIGHT? Do you consider it a romance or a coming of age story? Or a life story? Why?
Tista Ray: It’s mostly a coming of age novella in the light of teenage romanticism. The protagonist grows, both physically and emotionally during the course of my novella. A mere love story embedded with some nostalgic moments gains a divine touch as Sri and Jishu travel through time to be united in love. The story’s about a thirsty soul in quest of love, a passion that brings peace of mind. Jishu appears in Sri’s life as a teacher, giving her a lesson on love.
Q: What inspired you to write MELANCHOLIC DELIGHT?
Tista Ray: Being a teen myself I have been a witness to many a desperate act of love. I have observed reckless deeds of lovers. I have seen people falling in love and to fall out with their beloved, without even gauging the real value of it. My novella’s for those adolescents who still lack in the insight of true love. It’s to teach them the divinity of love, worthy of attention.
Q: Do you consider your characters to be heroes?
Tista Ray: In a way they are. Not because they commit acts of greatness that’s enough to raise them to sublime but because their trivial actions teach the readers about the essence of true love. Here’s a pair of lovers in my story who make enough sacrifice to be honored with the designation of being heroes.
Q: How do you convince your readers to care whether your heroine and hero get together?
Tista Ray: I know ladies are mostly fans of ‘happily ever after’ but I guess I read somewhere that true love never has a happy ending because they don’t have an ending. And for my novella I can say it has an open ending, open to probabilities. So it can be read as a piece of memory of the narrator that neither begins nor ends.
Q: How important is setting to your story? Could your lovers exist anywhere else? Would they behave the same in a different setting?
Tista Ray: To me setting seems too vital to ignore. It’s kind of a pivot around which the characters of a story revolve. Certainly if my story would have had a different setting with Jishu as a millionaire businessman or Sri as a writer or a philosopher I would have had to make it a more matured love. Under changed circumstances they might have acted differently, altering the concept of the story altogether.
Q:  Do you write largely for entertainment, or do you also try to deliver a message?
Tista Ray: I always say I want to make a difference to this world through my works. So you can say I concentrate more on building up the mood of a story that’s best suited to deliver a message. And I believe that to an avid reader it’s the message that matters more than entertainment. What makes a book memorable is the message it etched in the readers’ minds.
Q: Who are your intended readers? What are they looking for?
Tista Ray: My book’s for all age groups. Though it may apparently seem a book meant for teenagers but to be true it will appeal more to the coming of age people who’ve been in love and deduced the meaning of love. Nevertheless every single man can find himself in my protagonists as I strongly believe a man in love acts the way Sri or Jishu acted in my novella.
Q: Why are you a writer?
Tista Ray: I love writing. Putting my thoughts into words gives me an innate satisfaction. To top it, a reader’s praise is like honey added to a sweet.
Q: Tell us something about yourself. When you’re not writing, what do you do? Hobbies? Sailing? Knitting? Standup comedy? Favorite music?  Favorite authors? Do you have a muse?
Tista Ray: My hobbies are watching TV and reading books. I do enjoy music as well. I am interested in film making and am a great fan of Ruskin Bond. Paulo Coelho’s spirituality coupled with Stephenie Meyer’s romance always makes my story an irresistible combination (or at least that’s what I believe).
And about musing, yes it often starts accusing for making my life so confusing!
About Tista Ray
Tista Ray, a near 18 year-old authoress penned her debut novella ‘Melancholic Delight’ published in January 2013. She’s an Indian by birth. She’s actively involved in writing newspaper articles and is keen in making a difference to this world. About MELANCHOLIC DELIGHT
 ‘There’s no love like the first love. There’s no feeling like the desperation to attain true love. Love or lust matters not when two eyes meet, uniting the souls at once’

It’s this love which frees Sri from the reign of darkness and makes her heart rise to lofty heights of anticipated passion with no one to pull her back to reality. It’s Jishu, who appears as the first ray of hope in her overshadowed life and showers her with the ultimate sense of freedom, which she has been craving for. He fills her life with the long awaited perfection. To a flawed person he appears as the flawless. He becomes one among her most perfect acquaintances, but is he really as unblemished as he appears to be. If so, can a flawed person risk a life with the flawless? Do opposites really attract each other or it deviate them from their normal avenues of life?

It’s a deeply compelling love affair, which takes the readers back to their childhood memories and brings back to them the essence of true love.

The changing relations of a man’s life add force to the much ordinary teenage passion. The book is not just about love. It’s about a journey called life which either ends in melancholy or in delight.


Links
International readers can contact author through Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Indian readers can purchase MELANCHOLIC DELIGHT here:
http://www.infibeam.com/Books/melancholic-delight-tista-ray/9789382303015.html
http://boimela.in/melancholic-delight.html

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: The Mythology of it All! Fantasy Author M.A. Donovan

M.A. Donovan joins us to discuss her new fantasy novel THE GOLDEN HORN. In the following article, she positions her book within the world of mythology, although admits she adds a little medieval history. 
Donovan is a dog lover and lives in Michigan with her dog Sheba. She also writes horror and thrillers under the name Shelby Patrick.
The Mythology of it All!By M.A. Donovan
The world has a long-standing fascination with mythology. Epic tales have been told through the ages of heroes, gods, goddesses, monsters, and more. Every nation has its own fantastic story to weave.
The Greeks shared myths of heroic deeds, divine interventions, and origins of their rituals. Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are the oldest known Greek literary sources. They focused on events surrounding the Trojan War.
You will find many great tales from Hercules to Perseus and the Gods that either tried to thwart their plans or help them in small, inconspicuous ways. Battling monsters such as Medusa or the hydra were prevalent in almost every epic mythology.
In THE GOLDEN HORN, I mix a little mythology with medieval history. My heroes engage all sorts of creatures like harpies, nightmares, dragons, and thunder birds – while searching for a special weapon forged by the Gods that will either turn the tide in their favor or destroy their kingdom.
THE GOLDEN HORN is available at amazon.com or createspace.com. Want to win a free signed copy along with a special gift from me? Enter my “Letter to a Hero” contest. Simply craft a genius letter to your special hero (can be a fictional character or a real person) and send to me at kariah@donovanfantasyauthor.comwith “Letter to a Hero” in the subject. I’ll select a winner at the end of my virtual book tour, on or around March 1, 2013. Please make sure to include your name, mailing address, and email in your letter.
Visit M.A. Donovan online at http://www.donovanfantasyauthor.comor check out her blog at http://www.freethewriterinside.com.
Read the first three chapters for FREE at  http://bit.ly/XC5pst.
About M.A. Donovan
M.A. Donovan is the author of several published short stories and an article on karate. She has self-published three non-fiction books, a short story collection, and two novels. THE GOLDEN HORN is her first fantasy novel of which she has been working on for years, since twelfth grade, and has recently had professionally edited.
Donovan lives in Michigan, where she is currently working on her next novel, with her dog, Sheba. She also writes horror and thrillers under the name Shelby Patrick.
You can find her on Facebook (ShelbyPatrickAuthor) and Twitter (@shelbypatrick).
About THE GOLDEN HORN
Galen Hawkeye never wanted to be labeled a hero, but with his father's undead army casting a shadow over the kingdom, the land needed a legend. From a very young age, he had been groomed as a warrior, so it only seemed right when he strapped on the sword, enlisted his mage friend, and ventured forth to save his people. But he never planned on demonic trackers hunting him nor the love he found with a mysterious girl who happened to be on the same quest as him. Would he be able to stop the darkness descending before it swallowed him whole?

Buy THE GOLDEN HORN here:Print edition: http://amzn.to/WHRULeKindle edition: http://amzn.to/YN40FX

WORLD AT WAR BOOK TOUR: Author Pam Funke

Pam Funke, Author
OPERATION DARK ANGEL and
THE WORLD AT WAR
The Four Horsemen SeriesPam Funke writes the Four Horsemen Series about the takeover of a collapsing world and the attempts to save it.  Reviewers say this is an “exciting series by a talented new author” that is “fast-paced.” OPERATION DARK ANGEL and THE WORLD AT WAR (available soon) are the first and second in this seven-book series. 
Pam claims that her love of reading led her to write. Oh, and she also likes to eat. 











Q: One reviewer of OPERATION DARK ANGEL said, “In this story large scale warfare becomes personal. Because Funke's characters are so well developed you know all of those involved.” How do you make readers care about your characters?  
Pam Funke: I create characters that people can relate to or become friends with. Sure there are some characters that people will hate but that’s all part of writing a good story. There’s bound to be characters that readers will both love and hate.
Q: What is the key to good dialogue? Do you ascribe different characteristics to the dialogue based on your character's traits?  
Pam Funke: The key to good dialogue is picturing in your mind each character’s personality and how they would act and behave in various situations. It helps to set that character’s tone and slang usage.
Q: How important is back story and setting to creating a believable story?
Pam Funke: Back story and setting are very important to successfully creating a believable story.
Q: In your opinion, what key parts of a story make it great?
Pam Funke: In my opinion, I think an author’s descriptive ability to draw you into the story helps to make it great.
Q: Which part of the book did you find the most demanding to write?
Pam Funke: The hardest part was researching the different cultures and religions and tying them in to the book at the appropriate times.
Q:  Do you outline your stories or do your characters push you around?
Pam Funke: LOL, I actually don’t do either. When I am writing I can actually see the events happening in my mind (sort of like a movie playing) and I just write exactly what I see.
Q: Who are your target readers? What do you do to understand what they want to read?
Pam Funke: My target readers are young adult through adults. I talk with different people to see what their interests are and what types of things that they would enjoy reading about.
Q: Tell us something about yourself. For example: do you like to read? Eat? Go to plays? What’s your favorite book, author, character? Do you have a muse? If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?
Pam Funke: Yes, I love to read. This is partially the reason why I started to write. Who doesn’t like to eat? I don’t really go to plays although I do enjoy Tyler Perry’s plays. My favorite book is Gone With the Wind. My favorite authors are James Patterson, Michael Connelly, Joel C. Rosenberg, Tim LaHaye, Jerry Jenkins, and Mary Higgins Clark.
About Pam Funke
I am the proud grand-daughter of a pastor and have spent the majority of my life in the church. I am a Christian author who enjoys writing many different things. My love of reading and writing led me to write for the enjoyment of others.
About THE WORLD AT WAR (available soon)
The second book in the exciting Four Horsemen Series. Join General Alexander Ludlow as he continues on his mission to save the world. At least that is what he thinks that Operation Dark Angel is all about. He is however starting to suspect that this mission is not all that it's cracked up to be. The world is in complete chaos as major nations wage war on each other and the world is on the brink of World War III.  
The Group is secretly continuing Operation Dark Angel with much success. Unknown to the rest of the world they are the ones who are behind the strange and devastating attacks on Israel and around the world. What is it that they are really after when they are supposed to be bringing peace to an out of control world?  
Italian President Nicolaitanes Balac is steadily gaining political power and recognition. The entire world is watching this one man and wondering if he will be the one to save them from the chaotic spiral that the world is headed towards. Is he really who he appears to be or is he something much more sinister? Can he save the world? Do we even want him to? Is this who mankind should rely on for help or will this be the worst mistake that mankind has ever made?
Excerpt
Chee Tsang, China’s Chief Executive, gathered the country’s military officials together. He was ready for payback. How dare Israel attack his beloved country? Beijing is now just a smoldering disaster zone. This fact alone both angered and saddened him.General Baojia Chan stood nearby looking over intelligence and working out a war strategy in his head. First we will attack Israel with missiles then a surprise attack with our massive army.“General, I want your opinion about something. What will we gain from this? How will this attack on Israel benefit the people of China?” Chee Tsang asked.General Chan looked back at the papers he was reviewing before looking at Mr. Chee Tsang. “Well, I think that this will only work as long as we contain the element of surprise. We then enter the country from here and here,” Baojia said pointing at the military map.“I see. But would we not have a greater advantage point from here and here,” Chee asked.“I have planned for the Immediate Action Unit to drop forces in at those locations,” General Chan replied.“But I thought that we primarily used them to protect the country from terrorism, riots, and the like. If we use them in our attack, won’t that leave the country defenseless?” Chee asked.“Yes, the IAU is primarily used for that purpose but as they are extremely good at tactical maneuvers we will be using them to strengthen our military forces. The Snow Leopard Commando Unit will be protecting our country while the military is deployed,” Baojia replied.“Very well then, how long before we can make this happen?” Chee asked.“It is being done as we speak sir. In a matter of hours we will have our troops in the air,” Baojia replied.General Chan has done well, although I wish that he had waited for my approval. Chee turned and faced General Chan. “You are doing a fine job. As I am not needed here I will be off taking care of more pressing issues. Do not disappoint me,” Chee said. He then turned and left the room.General Chan turned back to his staff. “How much longer before the planes are loaded with the troops and equipment?” he asked.“Sir, they will be ready for takeoff in approximately two and a half hours,” the young soldier replied.“Excellent. Now I want you to launch the missiles at Israel. We will start by creating chaos and panic and then the real fun begins,” General Chan ordered.“Yes sir,” the soldier replied. He then typed in the target locations, the order codes, and hit send.
Links
Amazon (for OPERATION DARK ANGEL)
Check out author website on AmazonBook trailer GoodreadsBlogFacebook Join fan page 
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/4HorsemenSeries

FIRST LOVE BLOG HOP: Paranormal Author Amy McClung

Amy McClung, Author
CASCADES OF MOONLIGHT and  DREAMS, SPELLS, AND MOONLIT TALES

    Amy McClung dared to bring werewolves and vampires together in her Parker Harris Series books. Not only are they together, but Parker the werewolf falls in love with a vampire – unheard of.  
Amy loves movies, so if she’s not reading one of her beloved fantasy novels, she and her husband are probably viewing one of the movies from their large collection in a room decorated with movie memorabilia.
Be sure to check out the brief excerpts of her books following the book descriptions.
Click the link at the end of this article to check out the First Love Blog Hop and learn about other participating authors and how to win a Kindle and many more prizes.
Q: What inspired you to write about werewolves?  
Amy McClung: I've always enjoyed reading books about paranormal creatures.  Werewolves and vampires have been some of my favorite and there are so many different things you can do with them that it makes it easier to create your own world.  My main character is a werewolf and I wanted to show a different side of werewolves through her insecurities and fears.
Q: One of your reviewers pointed out, “What a nice twist the author gives us in this paranormal romance pairing vampires and werewolves together romantically and as friends.” Are vampires better than werewolves? Are they usually not together? What made you decide to put them together? 
Amy McClung: I haven't read too many books where vampires and werewolves are together.  Many times they are painted as enemies.  Forbidden love is always a big thing in romance it seems and since they are born to be enemies I thought it would be a nice twist to have them fall in love instead. 
Q: How important is the small town setting to your story? Do werewolves only appear in small towns? 
Amy McClung:  I chose the town Cascade, Idaho because there are wolves in that area.  Parker, the main character, has kept this a secret for two years so it seemed that would be easiest in an area where it wouldn’t be odd to see wolves.  In a large city someone is bound to see a wolf and find it strange.  I also chose the town due to the waterfalls in the area.  It ties in with the relationship of the main couple.
Q:  Are you primarily writing for YA readers, or do you believe your story is for all ages? 
Amy McClung: I mainly write for YA with my current series. However, I've had men and women of all ages, from 16-65, tell me they have really enjoyed reading it.  I think my first book was truly geared toward a younger crowd based on the events that happen to the teens.  As the books progress, the characters mature and the material is relatable to a wide range of ages.
Q: Do you write purely for your readers’ entertainment? Or do you incorporate messages to your readers?   
Amy McClung: I write for entertainment mostly.  However, there are some messages involved.  I think most books have messages underlying the entertainment portion, even if it wasn’t intended.  I think that is why many people give books a hard time if they feel they are 'giving off the wrong message'.  I am one that likes to slide those messages into the entertainment in a very subtle way. 
Q: Why are you a writer?  When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?  
Amy McClung: I did a little writing when I was younger, but never thought anything would come of it.  In 2011, I went through a life-changing event and needed something to keep me from being too stressed. My husband suggested writing.  I sat down and started to write a book, using it as therapy and then discovered how to self-publish.  Once I started writing, I fell in love with it.  It gives me a chance to escape reality for a bit and get lost in a fantasy world just like reading does.  I've always loved to read and many times I get frustrated at the direction a story takes so writing gives me the chance to have the ending I want for a change.
Q:  Tell us something about yourself: do you like movies? What do you do when you’re not writing? Hobbies? Favorite author?    
Amy McClung: Movies are a big hobby for me. My husband and I have a huge collection of movies and memorabilia.  Our living room is decorated in Harry Potter décor, to give you an idea.  Another hobby I have is reading, I now read at least 3 books a month.  My favorite author, there are several of them here lately.  J.K. Rowling, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Brenda Pandos, Tabatha Vargo, Molly Harper, Rachel Caine, just to name a few. My favorite authors are the ones that have never disappointed me in their writing, every book has been fantastic and I would read them repeatedly.
About Amy McClung
Amy McClung was born in Nashville, TN. She is the second oldest of four girls. She married Daniel McClung in September 2005 and they currently reside just outside of Nashville. She graduated from Father Ryan High School in 1996. In 2002 she obtained her general certification in medical coding and billing and in 2009 she obtained a specialty certification in Hospital medical coding and billing.
Amy and her husband are both fans of fantasy novels as well as avid movie collectors. The Parker Harris Series is the first series of books by this author. CASCADES OF MOONLIGHT is Book #1; DREAMS, SPELLS, AND MOONLIT TALES is Book #2; and the third book is set to be released in the Summer of 2013.
Amy’s favorite past times include watching movies, drawing, and reading fantasy novels. Her first book was a means of therapy for her as it enabled her to escape reality for a while during a difficult transition in her life.About the Books
CASCADES OF MOONLIGHT (The Parker Harris Series Book #1)
Parker Harris isn’t your typical teenage girl, not completely at least. For the past two years she has been struggling once a month with the extreme pain of shifting into a werewolf. She faces the challenge of keeping this secret from those she loves until one day a stranger comes into town and he knows that secret somehow. Now she has to face an even bigger challenge. She is falling in love...with a Vampire, of all things. Murder, Betrayal, Love, Deception, Friendship, and Loyalty, fill the pages of this book.
DREAMS, SPELLS AND MOONLIT TALES (The Parker Harris Series Book #2)A mistake from Parker's past is revealed and proves to be more enormous than she realized. DREAMS, SPELLS, AND MOONLIT TALES summarizes the events of Parker's life in this book.
Excerpts
CASCADES OF MOONLIGHT (The Parker Harris Series Book #1)“Vampires and Werewolves have been myths turned into movies, books, and plays for hundreds of years. Everyone has heard of them, everyone has their own interpretation of what they are and the ways you can kill them. Some people say that Vampires are creatures of the night that can’t walk in the sun and are killed by wooden stakes, burned by holy water or torn apart by other vampires. Some say vampires can’t go in the sun because their skin sparkles like diamonds. There are stories of vampire slayers and there are werewolf hunters.
As many stories as there are, you would think more people would believe these creatures exist. I mean, how else would there be so much talk about something that never existed? How would there be so many ideas that are so closely related? Maybe some people just don’t want to believe because they are scared of the possibilities it could bring, scared to face the reality that monsters are real. Of all the myths, the part of how to kill a vampire is quite limited. There is no easy way to kill a vampire unless you are a master vampire or a werewolf. Luckily, I am a werewolf.”
DREAMS, SPELLS, AND MOONLIT TALES (The Parker Harris Series Book #2)
“Barely able to open my eyes, I croaked out, "Don't go…please…don’t leave me alone. I'm scared…" His face whipped back to look at me, when he heard my voice, and I saw that his fangs were out. His face was a mask of anguish. He began moving back toward me, but reached up, felt his teeth, and turned back again to leave and was gone in a flash. The blood had made him hungry, he hasn’t fed in a while and he was losing control. He had no other choice but to leave me there, dying. Fear washed over me with the realization that I was going to die here, these injuries are too severe for my wolf powers to heal me, I could feel my body growing weaker by the minute. Gloom was closing over me; pain enveloped my body, and I couldn’t fight closing my eyes anymore. All I wanted was the pain to stop. I invited the darkness to encompass me, with the promise that I would hurt no more.”
Links
Purchase sites
CASCADES OF MOONLIGHT(The Parker Harris Series Book 1) 
DREAMS, SPELLS, AND MOONLIT TALES (The Parker Harris Series Book 2) 
Facebook          Goodreads page link

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FIRST LOVE BLOG HOP: Paranormal Romance Author Violet Patterson

Violet Patterson, Author
Emerald Seer series
Violet Patterson writes novels considered by her readers to be outside the norm of paranormal romance books.  One reviewer describes the Emerald Seer series: “Incredible characters, wonderful paranormal creatures and a romance that's going to blow your mind.” 
In addition to writing, Violet spends most of her time being a mom to her two children. She is collaborating with her daughter on a middle grade series which she believes has promise.
Don’t miss the excerpt following the description of her books.
Click the link at the end of this article to check out the First Love Blog Hop and learn about other participating authors and how to win a Kindle and many more prizes.   Q: What inspired you to write your paranormal romance/fantasy Emerald Seer Series?
Violet Patterson: A combination of things really, I wanted to write something for my friends who are working Moms with little time to devote to the finer points in life – like reading.  The characters themselves evolved over a few hours following a conversation with a coworker who was very supportive of my writing.  I was influenced by Celtic lore for part of it as well. 
Q: Several of your reviewers praise your novels as “definitely outside the norm for what you expect in a Paranormal Romance.”  What makes your books unique?
Violet Patterson:  I tried very hard to make it different from everything else.  Vampires are overdone and at times done poorly so they play a very small role in my series (not introduced until Whiskey, Mystics, and Men).  I also incorporated a Phoenix, sprites, and hybrids.  There is a definite story with several subplots but it is light enough to put down at any point and not forget what you’ve read. 
Q: Do you write purely for entertainment? Or do you incorporate messages to your readers?
Violet Patterson: There are subtexts in all of my books, more for specific people, they know who they are.  This particular series is more for fun and entertainment.  I have a few projects in the wings that are more involved but I wanted to have fun with this series. 
Q: What element do you think is most important in creating a compelling story? Is it different in your genre from other genres?
Violet Patterson:  I think characters are the most important part of any story, regardless of genre.  Of course, this is just my humble opinion.  I put a lot of time and effort into my characters, the little things that people may or may not have picked up on.  For instance, my chapters alternate viewpoint so each character has his/her own speech patterns.  Ryder uses no contractions but Storm does and she has a verbal crutch.  I wanted him to speak more properly to show his true age and drive to live higher than some of the other Immortals.  Storm is young and her emotions have been locked away for most of her life so I wanted her to come across as a bit immature and with difficulty handling her newfound emotions.  It gets more involved when more characters enter the mix, but they each have their own signatures. 
Q: Where do you get your ideas for your characters and plot? Do you do anything to get you inspired?
Violet Patterson:Honestly, it just unfolds.  I have a general idea when I start but it often changes as I go along, as new ideas hit me, as new characters pop in my head, and so on.  I throw my characters into precarious situations and then try to work out how each would react to achieve the outcome I am seeking.  What do I do to get inspired?  Music.  I love listening to music.  I block out the world and imagined I am my characters reacting.  
Q: How do you make us care about your characters?
Violet Patterson: I try to make them real.  Even though they face paranormal issues that we would not face on a daily basis, I try to throw in bits of reality.  Parent issues, spousal frustrations, loneliness – there should be something in every character that you can relate to at some point.  I hope I succeeded.
Q: Why are you a writer?  When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
Violet Patterson:  Because it is in me.  I can’t turn it off, even if I wanted to.   Writing was always something I did but I never gave it enough credence until a few years ago.  One idea hit me (a YA epic fantasy I published under a pen name) and I decided to get serious about writing.  RYDER came fast and furious after that and from there it just multiplied into more ideas than I can ever finish in my lifetime. 
Q:  Tell us something about yourself, e.g., do you do stand up comedy? What’s your favorite holiday, book, author, character, play, movie, celebrity?  What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a muse? What's your favorite charity?
Violet Patterson:  I am not sure what to share, it’s odd to talk about myself.  Beyond writing I spend most of my time being Mom.  I have two brilliantly entertaining children who happen to be my biggest support.  We bake, do loads of art projects, and whatever else strikes us in a given moment.  My daughter and I are actually collaborating on a middle grade series that has promise. 
About Violet Patterson
Violet Patterson is a northwest Ohio native who spent much of her childhood creating plays (costumes and all!) for her younger siblings to perform. From there, she moved on to simplistic poetry and children's stories - unfortunately works like "Adventures of Super Cookie" were never released to the masses.

Ms. Patterson graduated from Miami University with a degree in social sciences. After several years in the field she decided to stop brainstorming in notebooks, on post it notes, and along the borders of her desk calendars. Storm Sullivan was born from those efforts and eventually, "Ryder on the Storm - Emerald Seer I" was released as Ms. Patterson's debut novel. The sequel, "Light My Fire." was released in December 2011 followed by an accompanying novella, "Whiskey, Mystics, and Men" (early 2012) and the third full novel in the series, "Love Her Madly" (August 2012). The final installment, "End of the Night" is in progress with anticipated release in 2013.

Two energetic children and a part time marketing assistant position keep her active and fulfilled.

About the Books
RYDER ON THE STORM – EMERALD SEER I
Storm Sullivan is a Seer from an ancient line forced to return home after the brutal murder of her aunt. But Storm finds she’s inherited more than just the family estate.
Ryder Cohen is an Immortal, a former enforcer commissioned to eradicate the Sullivan line and prevent the rise of the Emerald. But Ryder has come to question his mission and the reasons behind it.
RYDER ON THE STORM is the first in the Emerald Seer series. An urban fantasy with a supporting cast of Immortals, Seraphs, and Deities this is just the beginning of Storm's journey.
LIGHT MY FIRE
Storm Sullivan's life has changed drastically - married to an Immortal, pregnant and attempting to master her new, unpredictable powers while bracing for the next supernatural attack.
Lucian has not been completely honest with his friends- about his personal mission against the witches, the depth of his burden, or Sophia Bedeaux.
Everything comes to a head when Lucian's past collides with his present and threatens all he has come to care for. If he can manage to trust in Storm’s abilities, Lucian could find his way out of the curse and back to the only woman he could ever love.
WHISKEY, MYSTICS, AND MEN
Angeline Corsova is a secret-keeper. Former assistant to the now deceased Trin Sullivan, she landed in the middle of a supernatural war where she vacillates between the hunter and the hunted. Seraphs, Vampires, Immortals, a Phoenix, and the Emerald vying for her attention and her help.
WHISKEY, MYSTICS and MEN is just over 25,000 words and includes spoilers from books one and two as well as some teasers for book three, END OF THE NIGHT to be released Summer 2012

LOVE HER MADLY
It began with tragedy.
It continued with rebirth.
Now the epic Emerald Seer Series continues with LOVE HER MADLY.

Storm Sullivan's problems heat up as secrets and prophecies are unraveled to reveal her true enemy. After a devastating betrayal, Storm and her friends are forced to reevaluate their plans and reinforce their alliances.

Interwoven with the modern day tale is Damarra and Roane's love story spanning a time before written word through the improbable birth of their child who would one day come to be known as the Anomaly and ultimately, Storm's father.


Excerpt
StormThe apartment sat empty but for a few boxes scattered about the kitchen and living room.  Storm lifted one and headed out to the small moving truck.  Dan and Shane were still arguing over the placement of the last load she took out.  Two absolutely gorgeous men, brothers and her closest friends, they spent more time bickering than moving.  At least they loaded the furniture on the back of the truck before laying into each other today.  She paused for a moment to appreciate the scenery, rippling muscles glistening with sweat down to the waistbands of their matching mesh shorts.  Storm thought of all the times she’d turned them down – separately and together – maybe she shouldn’t have.   She pictured herself running her fingers through their silky, sand-colored hair, tracing the contours of their defined chests, sliding down their six pack abs, teasing the waistlines of their shorts, could be the best first time ever.  Maybe she could start a new journal and label it “Seer Sexcapades.”  Storm chuckled to herself, her only sex experiences came in the form of romance novels, her dirty pleasure.  Man, she was on a roll today, too bad it existed only in her head.“Guys, there are three boxes left in the apartment, since I have handled the last several loads while you two stood here bickering I am going to call it a day.  I am taking Pac Man and heading over to the manor.  You don’t have to lock up but please don’t take too much longer, alright?  I promised the landlord I’d be out by dark.”  Storm dropped the box on the ground next to the others and slipped into her Beetle where Pac Man waited.  He was already drooling, his tongue hanging out to one side and his little eyes flickering beneath their lids.  She’d found the pit bull at a humane society in Alabama.  They had tried to talk her out of it because he’d been abused and was scheduled to be put down due to his ferocity.  Apparently nobody could get close to him.  Still, Storm had a vision about the dog saving her and checked animal shelters in every place she lived.  It took eight months but she knew him the moment she saw him.  When she approached his cage, Pac Man stopped growling and started to whimper.  As long as Storm stayed with him, Pac Man allowed the staff to check him over and administer shots.  They released him to her care with just a little magical coercion.  So, Pac Man stayed with her. 
Twitter address @BooksbyViolet
LINKS
Purchase sites
Ryder on the Storm on Amazon 
Light My Fire on Amazon  
Whiskey, Mystics, and Men on Amazon  
Love Her Madly on Amazon  
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 Book trailer link
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FIRST LOVE BLOG HOP: Paranormal Dystopian Author, L.M. Smith

L.M. Smith, Author
THE CITIZENS
THE REFUGEES
DHAMPIRI
Author L.M. Smith writes paranormal dystopian fiction “something new and exciting and different, so many questions and so few answers” according to one reviewer about her first novel THE CITIZENS. Those who have read her second novel in the Jazz Nemesis series, THE REFUGEES, exclaim “WOW! I thought the first book was exciting, but this book takes it to another level!”
L.M. Smith originally wanted to be a professional singer. As a teenager, she frequently performed. However, she has been writing since she was a child. Today she lives near Las Vegas, and writes because “my own imagination would probably drive me insane if I didn’t.”
Don’t miss the excerpt from THE CITIZENS following the book blurbs.
Click the link at the end of this article to check out the First Love Blog Hop and learn about other participating authors and how to win a Kindle and many more prizes.
Q: What inspires you to write paranormal dystopian fiction?
L.M. Smith: Reading paranormal fiction has been a lifelong guilty pleasure of mine but my real interest in it from a creative standpoint began when I learned about the Institute of Noetic Science in southern California and read some of the studies and scientific inquiries conducted by Dean Radin. I found the field supremely fascinating and fell in love with the idea of plausible, scientific explanations for the human race potentially having supernatural abilities as a component of human evolution.  When I read that human beings only actually use a small percentage of our brains my own gray matter began to run rampant with the endless possibilities for our potential as a species if we were to somehow ‘unlock’ that dormant remainder.  My interest in dystopian fiction was somewhat an accident, though not a surprising one considering my parents are doomsdayers and have been fretting about the potential ‘end of the world’ for as long as I can remember.
Q: Do you write purely for entertainment? Or do you incorporate messages to your readers?
L.M. Smith: I don’t intentionally incorporate messages for my readers but I’ve had some readers derive messages from my books on their own and that, as I see it, is a huge compliment. 
Q: How important is setting to making your fiction believable?
L.M. Smith: Setting is important for making all fiction believable, even if the fiction itself is wholly plausible within the confines of reality.  Characters must always live in a plausible version of reality (even if that reality, for them is on another planet where amazing and wonderful things are wholly plausible) in order for the reader to both consciously and subconsciously accept the environment and experience the story from the perspective of a participant rather than just someone on the outside looking in. 
If your main characters are a blackjack dealer, an exotic dancer, a cocktail waitress, and a showgirl and they’re all best friends that work together in the same establishment your readers will expect that establishment to be some form or variation of a Casino and, regardless of whether you base the story itself in Chicago or San Diego, your readers will picture the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas.  For this reason, it’s best to save them the jarring zaps of snowfall and lake effect and put your story in Vegas where your readers will feel more comfortable and where they will be able to believe the rest of the tale - no matter how strange and wonderful it may be.
Q: Among your many 5-star reviews (almost 50 for THE CITIZENS), one of your readers praises your book and also says it is “creepy”. How do you do “creepy”?
L.M. Smith: I know exactly which review you’re referring to and will admit that it is one of my favorites.  I didn’t ‘do creepy’ on purpose but I believe that a certain sense of ‘this could really happen’ is where the creepy factor comes from.  The story is fiction with vampires and torture and violence that you would never expect to find in the real world but many readers have commented that they felt like they were characters in the book rather than readers observing it and that the scenario that my characters find themselves in could potentially happen. 
Creepy is something that people experience when they feel uncomfortable with an environment, individual, or idea.  In THE CITIZENS the characters are watched endlessly yet have absolutely no interaction with their captors.  This causes the readers, who are experiencing the story from the perspective of someone in that situation, feel as though they too are being watched.  That would creep anyone out, wouldn’t it?
Q: How do you make us care about your characters?
L.M. Smith: Everyone has someone who cares about them, even if they aren’t of it and even though no one is truly liked by everyone.  Having a relatively eclectic mix of characters that are vastly different in their personalities, backgrounds, and perspectives gives readers a veritable buffet of choices. 
Some readers have told me that they do not like my protagonist because they think she’s a bit brash and abrasive while others absolutely adore her and think of her as tough and sassy.  That’s a perfect scenario though because whether you love her or hate her the one adjective she’s never been associated with is ‘boring’ and if she is interesting enough to instill strong emotions (from either side of the spectrum) then she’s absolutely perfect from my perspective. 
Of course Gordon is one of the least favorite characters I have ever written but some of my readers even find themselves developing a strange affinity for him that even they don’t wholly understand.  I guess the old adage that there is ‘someone for everyone’ is more true than we realize and as long as a character is developed enough to be believable, that will be as true for fiction as it is for reality.
Q: What traits do you give your heroes? Villains?
L.M. Smith: I avoid making distinctions between heroes and villains in my books.  There is conflict in my stories but both sides of the conflict fully believe that they are justified in their actions and that their perspectives and ideals are ‘the right way’ … just as people do in reality.  No one truly believes that they are a villain in reality, even some of the darkest personalities in the history of mankind felt justified in their actions and viewed themselves as revolutionary individuals trying to make a difference in the world … even when their idea of ‘making a difference’ meant doing horrible things. 
The only trait that I intentionally instill in either side of a conflict is a sense of personal integrity.  I will never write a character who genuinely believes that they are evil and that their actions are wrong.  The reader may think those things about them but the character himself (or herself) will always believe that what she is doing and the position that she is supporting is justified and noble.  It’s up to you, as a reader, to decide which characters you agree with and which ones you oppose.
Q: Why are you a writer?  When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
L.M. Smith: In all honesty I write because my own imagination would probably drive me insane if I didn’t and I never actually sat down and said ‘I want to be a writer’.  My brain dislikes inactivity so in the moments when I am alone and the world is quiet, such as when I am lying in bed waiting to fall asleep or soaking in a hot bath, my imagination will take over and develop these little ‘what if’ scenarios where I fantasize about things like the whole world suddenly developing super powers overnight.  Eventually one or two of those little fantasies will snag on something as they bump along in the river of unending contemplation that flows through my mind’s eye and will begin to replay themselves over and over again, building slightly upon themselves little by little with each repetition. 
I found, at a young age, that writing them down often helped to free them from their catchment and send them along on their merry way so that the ideas could, once again, come and go with ease instead of driving me insane like The Song That Never Ends.  Sometimes an idea will develop into something big enough that it will begin to merge with other ideas and, before long, I look up at my monitor as my fingers click away on the keyboard, always the slave to the fictional ‘voices’ in my imagination, and discover that a novel was born from somewhere within the chasm of near insanity.
Q:  Tell us something about yourself, e.g., do your do stand up comedy? What’s your favorite holiday, book, author, character, play, movie, celebrity?  What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a muse? What's your favorite charity?
LM Smith: Once upon a time my primary aspiration was to be a professional singer, actually.  When I was a teenager I sang in public settings like the county fair, community holiday events, and performed nightly dinner entertainment for tourists in a small restaurant … I’ve even written a few original songs of my own.  I still love to sing but these days I limit myself to late night karaoke adventures with close friends and family on special occasions.
About L.M. Smith
L.M. Smith is both an avid reader and writer. Her favorite authors include Kim Harrison and Richard Adams. She began writing stories and poetry as a child and has always been fascinated by mythology and the paranormal.
A self-proclaimed 'desert rat', she lives near Las Vegas, Nevada with the love of her life, their three dogs, and two cats. She is proud to be an alumna of the University of Phoenix and enjoys horseback riding, kayaking, and taking long walks with Vladimir: her Doberman Pinscher.
While working on her next upcoming publication, her guilty pleasures include salt-and-pepper flavored sunflower seeds and cold, home-brewed coffee with Italian Sweet Cream ... though never at the same time because that would be yucky.
About THE CITIZENS: A Jazz Nemesis Novel (Volume 1)
Imagine a town where you can stay out as late as you want, wake up when it suits you, you never have to go to work, and everything is free for the taking. Sounds perfect right? But what if you can’t remember where you are or how you got there? What if you can’t ever leave? And what if the only other people around are hostages, just like you? Would you still want to stay?
Jasmine Marshall certainly didn’t think so until she met Justin Beck; a dashing active-duty member of the United States Army and fellow hostage. With him around life in Kolob might not be so bad after all … or so she thought. There are vampires and psychics at the breakfast table! Disturbing acts of torture and senseless violence are commonplace. Biochemical warfare is a very real threat, and the town’s mayor is an elusive mad-scientist obsessed with his own theories about December 21, 2012!
In a place where one has everything to gain and nothing to lose, one thing reigns true: nothing in Kolob is ever as it seems.
About THE REFUGEES: A Jazz Nemesis novel (Volume 2)
When Jasmine Marshall and her fellow hostages finally won back their freedom and escaped from the mysterious town of Kolob, they believed they would be rejoining civilization and resuming their normal lives. To their horror, what they found on the other side of the dense forest was far worse than anything they could have ever imagined.
On December 21, 2012, an unprecedented series of global attacks changed the world and shook the very foundations of society. A significant portion of the Earth’s population died following exposure to an illness that the media dubbed ‘The Maya Virus’, leaving the survivors to examine and question their humanity as vampires, demigods, and zombies crawled from the body bags of the aftermath. Valkyries, demons and other ancient creatures that had lain in wait for centuries began to emerge, seeking to claim the spoils and feed on what remains of mankind. Panicked governments are struggling to maintain order - some of them at any cost.
About DHAMPIRI
Colleen Patrick thought she was just going to the market one autumn day in 1872, when everything she knew about herself – and the world around her – abruptly changed. Living the American dream, she had been happy with her young, Irish husband on their small farm in Kentucky. Little did she know, the town’s exotic gypsy family was actually a family of Vampires with big plans for her. Plans that did not necessarily require her consent. At just twenty-two years old, tragically removed from her life and thrust into an existence for which she was carefully selected; she is now a murderer, a widow, and an immortal. As this epic tale unfolds Colleen is abruptly taken captive by a clan of Valkyries, demanding vengeance for a war that happened long before she was born, turning her world upside down once more. Now she must choose between the family that she has grown to love and the delicate toddler who's life is in her hands.


About A-MUSING ADOLESCENCE: A Collection of Thoughts from a Young Heart
From ages twelve to seventeen L. M. Smith found herself frequently experiencing a need and a desire to express how she was feeling. Fraught with the troubles of all young girls, as well as the tribulations and triumphs, she put her experiences to pen whenever something moved her. This is a collection from her heart as she experienced love, sorrow, joy, spirituality, and wonder with a passion and exuberance that only a young soul could. From one adolescent to another, this collection is both for the young, and the young-at-heart.





Excerpt from THE CITIZENS: A Jazz Nemesis Novel (Volume 1)
She was in a bedroom but it wasn’t her own.  She looked around, both confused and frightened.  From the looks of the scratchy, thread-bare comforter on the bed and the bland landscape painting on the wall she could swear she was in a hotel room.  Half-way up the walls were covered in dark brown wood paneling, above which was loud orange wallpaper with a horrible brown floral pattern.  The comforter was chocolate brown with a gold pattern over it that clashed terribly with the walls.  Two small, dark wooden nightstands stood on either side of the bed with gold-leaf lamps bearing white, retro-style shades and a lime green velvet arm chair sat on the opposite wall facing the bed.“What the hell?”  She wanted to rub her eyes to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating but they hurt too badly, making her wonder what could have happened to her face.  On the nightstand closest to her she noticed a glass of water, a small white pill, and a white note-card propped up against the lamp.  She grabbed the card and examined the strange red symbol embossed on the front.  A thick wiggly line formed an almost complete circle except for one piece in the lower left portion that was a narrower, more zig-zaggy line.  In the center of the circle there was a large dot and, beneath the circle, a straight horizontal line.  She recognized the symbol immediately but couldn’t remember where she’d seen it before.  It was eerie looking, though, and it gave her a sense of foreboding as she flipped open the card.  Five short lines of text were typed in black ink on the inside flap:
Dear Citizen,
The aspirin is for the headache.Sorry about the black eye.Welcome to Kolob.
Sincerely, Mayor E.
“What the hell?”  She repeated, feeling even more confused than she had been before.  Possible explanations started to run through her mind.  Maybe she’d tried to drive after having a few too many and had been in an accident.  Is this what the Fortine Inn looked like on the inside?  If so someone should tell them that it needed a major remodel.
Twitter addresshttps://twitter.com/Lady_Muse82
Links
Purchase sitesAmazon - All books Barnes and Noble - THE CITIZENSBarnes and Noble - THE REFUGEESPrint - THE CITIZENSPrint - THE REFUGEESPrint - DHAMPIRI Print- A-MUSING ADOLESCENCE 
Facebook Blog/website links Goodreads page link
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29 Authors - 47 Books - everything from Romance to Horror
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Lots of prizes to be won - on the main blog as well as the participant's!
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FIRST LOVE BLOG HOP Author, RaeBeth McGee-Buda

RaeBeth McGee-Buda, Author
SILENCED
Welcome author RaeBeth McGee-Buda who has written SILENCED, “a fascinating story of a woman suffering with depression.” RaeBeth explores the issues associated with a teenager who cuts herself. In fact, she wrote SILENCED “to help people understand.”
When RaeBeth is not writing, she helps other authors publicize their books. She is an avid blogger on “The Writing World.”










Q: What inspired you to write SILENCED?
RaeBeth McGee-Buda: There are several things that have inspired me to write SILENCED. First of all the lack of knowledge that I’m seeing when it comes to depression and self harm. I’ve met so many people that had no clue self harm existed.  Second I suffer from depression and in the past did cutting to help me feel I had control some where within my life. I felt like the depression controlled me.  In my opinion, it’s time that depression and self harm become another issue people bring awareness to.
SILENCED isn’t about having the perfect storyline or the perfect adventure. It’s to help people understand. Thus inspiring me to try to help those people understand.
Q: Your reviewers praised SILENCED as an entertaining book – “I was instantly drawn in and hooked” – and at the same time one that “put into words the feelings of depression.” Do you write largely for entertainment, or do you also try to deliver a message?
RaeBeth McGee-Buda: I do both. SILENCED is mainly to deliver the message that depression and self harm are serious issues that need attention. The aspect of Amber and her love with Landon tends to shadow the cutting but doesn’t make it go away. Depression doesn’t just happen a few times a year. It’s all the time. Depression doesn’t just sporadically show up one day and isn’t gone the next.
Q: How much are you or people you know part of your book?
RaeBeth McGee-Buda: There’s several people that I know wrapped into Amber, which is the main character. Landon is based on a person close to me. Other than this, all the other characters are there to help the story along with very little based on real people.
Q:  How do you engage your readers to care about your characters?
RaeBeth McGee-Buda: I try to make the characters as close to the “real” person they are based on. Each character acts like someone in their own way that I either know or have seen.  I try to engage the readers by bringing them into the mind of the main character. SILENCED is in the first person point of view.
Q: How relevant is setting to your story? Could it be set anywhere?
 RaeBeth McGee-Buda: Yes, SILENCED can be set anywhere. When I was beginning the story of SILENCED my Hubby was stationed in North Carolina while he was in the United States Marines. This is why I based Amber’s hometown in North Carolina. When I finished writing SILENCED, I was living in West Virginia. Therefore, this is the reason why it takes place in West Virginia.
Q:  What is your favorite part of being a writer?
RaeBeth McGee-Buda: I love hearing that someone enjoyed my work. It gives me more of a drive to carry on with my writing. It helps me see that there are people out there that can relate to my work. It’s an amazing feeling.
Q: Are there heroes and villains in your story? How would you define them?
RaeBeth McGee-Buda: As for SILENCED, no there aren’t any heroes or villains. So I suppose this question really doesn’t pertain to this particular story.
Q: When you’re not writing, what do you do? Hobbies? Sailing? Knitting? Standup comedy? Favorite music?  Favorite authors? Do you have a muse?
RaeBeth McGee-Buda: When I’m not writing, I read and review other books. I help other authors get the word out about their book. My hobby is blogging. I own one called The Writing World, which I use to post my reviews of the books I read, interview authors, and share the word on books. I have many authors I would consider my favorite but if I had to choose a famous author... it would be Edgar Allen Poe.
About RaeBeth McGee-Buda
RaeBeth McGee-Buda was born in southwestern Pennsylvania, the second daughter of Rachel Yost and Arthur Curtis McGee. RaeBeth grew up loving to read and write poetry, as well as short stories. Her childhood dream was to become a teacher. RaeBeth’s dream of writing was created in her eleventh grade literature class where writing became her passion.

RaeBeth married in August 2012 to her husband, Gregory Stephen Buda Jr. and resides in a small Pennsylvania town of Fairchance. RaeBeth is a full time mother of one and is expecting her second child.

She graduated from American Intercontinental University with her associates in business administration. She enjoys spending her time writing and feels that connecting with readers is her main goal.

RaeBeth published SILENCEDunder her maiden name but plans to continue writing under her married name with any other works.

SILENCED
Amber Brown spent her entire existence believing Dave was her father. When her mother reveals this is untrue, she goes through an emotional spiral with depression. It's hard for her to believe her mother had lied to her all this time.

A move to a new home and town causes Amber to be consumed by her "darkness" and reverts to cutting to free herself from her pain.

When Casey, her new friend enters her life, she introduces Amber to parties, drugs, and Amber's new boyfriend Landon. The secret of cutting begins to take affect on Amber as she tries to hide it from her friends and family. In the mist of everything, Amber has the desire to find out who her biological father is.

Follow Amber through her trials of depression and cutting, along with the discovery of love.

Purchase SILENCED here:
Amazon (Paperback) Amazon (eBook)Learn more about SILENCED at RaeBeth’s websiteFollow RaeBeth on Facebook Find her on Goodreads Twitter: @raebethmcgee Blog Book Trailer 

FIRST LOVE BLOG HOP Author, SJ Byrne

SJ Byrne, Author
MY BUTTERFLY 
Welcome fiction author, SJ Byrne, whose first book MY BUTTERLY has been a bestseller on the Amazon Kindle British Drama list. One reviewer said the novel “blew me away. The author takes the reader on a very intense emotional journey in which you truly care about the characters” However, SJ Byrne cannot control her characters. Her lead character Katherine made SJ write her story, and would not allow the author to change it.
SJ is now preparing for a five-mile run, and warns us to expect more books later this year.

Don’t miss the excerpt following the interview.

Click the link at the end of this article to check out the First Love Blog Hop and learn about other participating authors and how to win a Kindle and many more prizes.
Q:  You seem like such a nice person. What inspired you to write a book described by one reviewer of MY BUTTERFLY as one that: “delves into the depths of the darkest aspects of the human psyche”?
S.J. Byrne: We all have different aspects to us...much like a prism. You turn us one way you see something, but turn us another way and you will see something entirely different. Katherine’s story wrote itself. Or I should say, Katherine wrote her story and shared it with me. During the process if I tried to add anything of my own she would shut me down and leave me hanging until I removed the offending bit of writing.
Q: Scotland? Why? How important is setting to telling your story?
S.J. Byrne: Why Scotland. Again, that was Katherine. I was walking through Victoria Park in Glasgow, Christmas 2006, when I suddenly noticed her presence in my head. She walked with me a long while, filling me with her essence before telling me that she had a story that needed to be told and I was going to write it. A bit hooey? Maybe - but I won’t argue with such a feeling, especially if the story is a good one!
How important is the setting? Very important. Scotland is a country divided, fighting for her freedom from oppression - yes, there are those still trying to free Her from Mother England. Scotland is much like Katherine in many respects and the two find a mutual love during her time there.
Q: Can you imagine writing in an alternative genre? If so, which one? Why?
S.J. Byrne: I actually do write in other genres. I’m writing a YA with my daughter and a NA on my own, as well as paranormal. I may try my hand at suspense or thriller when I find the courage to delve into that scary pond!
Q: Do you write purely for entertainment? Or are you trying to tell your readers something?
S.J. Byrne: I write because if I don’t I fall head first into depression. Writing is my way of purging emotions. I am so connected to creativity that if I don’t pull from it, it pulls from me.
Q: Why should readers care about your characters?
S.J. Byrne:  Because they all have a heartfelt story to be told - a lesson learned that may help others if they are only willing to see.
Q: What traits do you give your heroes? Villains?
S.J. Byrne: HAHA more like what traits do they give themselves! My villains are my heroes. We are our own worst enemies and my stories tend to center around dealing with one’s own personal demons.
Q: Why are you a writer?  When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
S.J. Byrne:  I write therefore I am. I have been writing since grade school. It’s what I do and who I am. I may have a job that pays my bills but being a writer is at my core.
Q:  Tell us something about yourself, e.g., do you do stand up comedy? What are some of your favorites – books, movies, plays etc.?  What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a muse? What's your favorite charity?
S.J. Byrne: Hahaha I have been told I should do comedy - but I swear to them that it wouldn’t be funny if I stood on a stage! When I’m not writing...I have begun training for a 5 mile run to the top of Grandfather Mountain. Look it up. It’s called The Bear. I didn’t start running until May 2012, so that’s a pretty intense run to be training for.

About SJ Byrne
Living in the mountains of Western North Carolina SJ Byrne is just trying to make her way through the insanity that comes with creativity.  Writing is her passion - life is her muse. Keep an eye out for new books due later this year.
MY BUTTERFLY
(This book contains intense scenes of physical and mental abuse. It also explores sexual themes of a taboo nature. Please do NOT purchase if you find such content disturbing or offensive.) 
Where do you turn when love becomes twisted enough to kill and desire is darker than death? 
Where do you go when those you consider family blame you for the volatile episodes in your relationship?
Far Far Away!
Grateful for her aunt's generosity, Katherine Daniels leaves her failed marriage behind and heads to Scotland. 
Reconnecting with an artistic talent she'd abandoned under the tyranny of her ex-husband, Katherine begins a journey of healing and self-transformation. 
Finding love wasn't on her agenda, but what do you do when it finds you? Though she embraces the man who quickly steals her heart, she's harboring a secret that just may shatter her fragile new existence. Witness one woman's emergence from the dark night of her soul in MY BUTTERFLY.
Excerpt from MY BUTTERFLY
"Ah wud ne'er, E'ER hurt ye! Ah didnae mean tae frighten ye wi' mah hunger. Am sae sorry, lass. Please say yer okay. Please tell meh Ah havenae hurt ye."The anguish in his eyes tore at her heart, and Katherine hung her head, knowing there was no way he could understand the deep shame she felt. Familiar tears filled her eyes as she stared at the floor beneath her feet. He had a right to know the truth, but she didn't think she had the strength to tell him. She had never told a soul, not even Jessup, though she suspected he'd known and enjoyed it immensely. Gathering courage about her like a wet, woolen blanket, she prepared to see the disgust and rejection in his eyes once she revealed her dark secret."Katherine, please fergive meh." Remorse forced him into silence, and it broke her heart to hear him full of self-loathing on her account."There's nothing to forgive."The whisper of words was as broken as her spirit had once been, and with her chin lifted high, she avoided looking him in the eye as tears streamed down her cheeks. Slipping off the stool, she crossed the kitchen to where he stood and placed her hands flat against the center of his chest. Leaning her forehead into the hollow of his throat, she was reminded how perfectly they fit together and realized she would miss the feeling of symmetry between their bodies.LinksTwitter   or @SJ__byrne  (that is 2 underscores not just one)My Butterfly on AmazonMy Butterfly on SmashwordsSJ on FacebookMy Butterfly on FBSj's BlogMy Butterfly TrailerMy Butterfly on GoodreadsSJ on Goodreads


Click here to go to First Love Blogy Hop and Giveaway
29 Authors - 47 Books - everything from Romance to Horror
Visit their blogs, Facebook pages, make comments and/or buy books to earn entries into the Grand Prize Giveaway!
Lots of prizes to be won - on the main blog as well as the participant's!
Come by every day and see the Daily Spotlight for your chance at an easy entry!

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Author/blogger, Dana Sitar

Dana Sitar, Author
A WRITER'S BUCKET LIST
Author and blogger Dana Sitar joins us today to discuss her new book A WRITER’S BUCKET LIST—just released.  Reviewers tout her book as  “THE guide for people exploring the idea of being a writer or creator of any kind.”  Dana’s goal is to “movitvate writers.” She offers tips and resources to writers on DIY Writing.
Dana is one of the few authors who responds “yes” when I ask if she’s ever done standup comedy.






Q:  What made you decide to write A WRITER’S BUCKET LIST?
Dana Sitar: I started writing the list one day last Spring, just gathering ideas, because my wireless was down and I was bored. I eventually built the list up to about 107, but just let it sit on my computer for a few months, unsure whether to publish a list post at my blog, create a Tumblr of the list items, or just forget about it. Around early summer, I was antsy to write a new ebook for writers, bouncing a few ideas around, and I landed back on the list. I wasn’t interested in writing any of the how-to books that came to mind, but this one -- a bucket list, with simple, inspirational blurbs and spunky graphics -- was something I could wrap my mind around.
I wanted something to give my readers that was broader than the mini e-guides I’d created previously, which focused on specific tasks for the writer. I wanted to create something that enveloped the life of a writer, because I’ve dabbled in a lot of it in my short time writing professionally -- from creative writing, to journalism, to copywriting, to blogging. Focusing on one area -- say, “how to write a novel” -- wasn’t the right fit for me.
Q:  Why “bucket list”?
Dana Sitar: My goal is to motivate writers. I didn’t build my writing career based on advice from anyone. I was just writing, and I quit my other job one day and had to figure out how to replace my income with writing. I did that pretty much by checking items off a bucket list -- I dabbled in various industries and writing styles and cobbled together the career that fit me best.
A WRITER’S BUCKET LIST is a combination of things I’ve done on that path, as well as the things I’d still like to try. I love lists myself -- it’s how I organize everything in my life and career. They're easy to digest, simple to implement, and innately rewarding as you cross items off. That's exactly what I wanted to give other writers. For those who don’t know where to start -- as I didn’t -- here are some things you can try to inspire your writing and move your career in a unique direction.
Q:  How is your book different from “how to” writing books?
Dan Sitar: What a lot of people do with how-to books is buy them, read them front to back, put them down, and move on. They never take action. You can read that and feel somehow accomplished, because you’ve gained the knowledge -- but you haven’t actually taken any steps forward. You find some excuse for not getting started on Step 1, so you can never move onto the other steps.
A WRITER’S BUCKET LIST is a grab bag. You can close your eyes and point to any task and get started. Not completing one is no excuse for not trying another, so there’s no reason not to get started right now.
Additionally, in order to be thorough, many how-to books pigeonhole the reader. They offer only one right way to do something, so everyone who reads them ends up following the same beaten path.
A WRITER’S BUCKET LIST doesn’t explain how to complete the tasks included. It offers the tasks as a “Why not try this?” and explains the benefits. A writer has to find the motivation within herself to master the skills to complete each task. That’s why I call it a “launching point”. Take this book, choose a task, and set off on the path to achieving it, whatever that means for you.
Q: I know that your book offers 99 “things to do,” but, if you had to choose, what do you believe is the most important tip for potential or existing writers?
Dana Sitar: Always do something. Writing is such a vast art; if you’re driven to write, you can find a style to fit your passions. It just might not reveal itself right away. I hear too many artists say, “If I don’t find success in 5 years, I’ll know this isn’t the right choice, and I’ll quit.” But there’s always something new you can try. If you don’t sign a book deal within 5 years, try blogging or copywriting -- maybe that’s your style! Don’t ever quit, and don’t ever sit stagnant because success isn’t coming to you. Keep writing and searching.
Q: Why do you write? What would you do if you weren’t a writer?
Dana Sitar: I write, in general, because it’s what I’ve always been compelled to do, regardless of where my life has been focused. As most writers usually say, I’d be writing whether I was doing it professionally or not, even if that just meant keeping a journal. I write professionally because I hate working for other people’s goals and around other people’s schedules. I have a skill that’s in demand, and I can use it to shape a career wholly focused on what I want to achieve. I write what I write -- tips and inspiration for writers and dreamers -- because I’ve met so many people who don’t think they can do what I’ve done. A lot of creatives think they’re stuck in their day jobs until a miracle comes along, and I’m determined to tell every one of them they can follow their dreams.
I was studying Community and Non-profit Leadership at the University of Wisconsin before I moved to the West Coast to write full-time. I’m still passionate about service and enjoy organizational management, so I imagine I’d be in Wisconsin leading volunteers in a non-profit somewhere. Probably still questioning the authority of the org’s leaders and scheming up my own organization on the side ;)
Q: What’s your favorite genre? Why?
Dana Sitar: I’m trying not to be picky, because I have so much to learn in fiction! For a good chunk of my adult life, I read memoirs and non-fiction almost exclusively. I love reading memoirs (or autobiographical fiction) by writers who’ve gone before me, because their lives, experiences, and successes are inspirational.
Over the past year, I’ve fallen back in love with fiction (thanks to winning a Kindle and all the free fiction authors so generously share on Amazon!) I prefer (non-SFF) YA or NA, because 1) They’re short and simple. My blogger/journalist mind prefers a story that gets right to the point, and 2) Because authors are especially creative and experimental in these genres. KidLit, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, horror -- these all have formulas that make them work (and sell). Authors are smart to stick to the formula in those genres. But you can get a little weirder with YA/NA -- I don’t know why. A more knowledgeable mind can probably explain that. You can flip the traditional novel format on its head and take the reader on a unique ride. My favorite example is Amy Reed, an Oakland, CA author who writes YA with Simon & Schuster. Check out her novel CLEAN, which is like a collage of writing styles that carries you through a continuous story; or CRAZY, which is written entirely as emails and chats between two characters. I can’t see that sort of thing working the same way with traditional genres.
Q: What’s next? Another “Bucket List?” Or is there a novel in your future?
Dana Sitar: I’m overwhelmed with possibilities after connecting with bloggers, other writers, and readers in the build up to launching this book. There’s more I’d like to do with the Bucket List theme, and I’m going to let readers help drive the direction of the series. Maybe a College edition? A self-publishing edition? I’m in contact with a lot of readers now, and I’m going to work with them to see what they want/need.
I am committed to completing and publishing a novel or novella this year—it’s on my bucket list! Two projects are in the works, with clear outlines, timelines, and goals, so I will cross that one off before 2013 comes to an end!
Q:  Tell us something about yourself, e.g., do you do stand up comedy? What are some of your favorites – books, movies, plays etc.?  What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a muse? What's your favorite charity?
Dana Sitar: I don’t do stand-up, but I have done it a few times. I’ve been covering comedy news and reviews for various publications for about two years, my boyfriend is a comedian, and I live and travel with him and a group of three other comics. I had to try it. I’m alright—okay, no, I’m not. But the experience was invaluable to my understanding of the subjects I write about.
I write (or market or pitch my writing) constantly. I stop to go to comedy shows at night or travel to a comedy show somewhere in the country. I’m poor and insist on living in big cities, so those free shows are my only entertainment and nightlife.
I tend to prefer service- and action-oriented organizations over charitable ones, and connect better with local than national or international organizations. Among my favorites is Harmony Cafe in Green Bay and Appleton, Wisconsin. While their scope is small—focused on those local communities—I  think the model is brilliant for non-profits. The service they provide is more accessible and their effect on the community more tangible than a lot of broader volunteer and charity organizations I’ve seen.
About A WRITER’S BUCKET LIST                          'A WRITER’S BUCKET LIST: 99 things to do for inspiration, education, and experience before your writing kicks the bucket ' is an inspirational and educational ebook for budding writers. The book is a launching point for all of the possibilities of being a writer, a kick-in-the-butt for those who don’t know what to do next, and a simple guide to help writers forge their own unique career/life paths.
Add  A WRITER’S BUCKET LIST to your bookshelves on Goodreads, watch the trailer at my YouTube channel, buy the book from my e-junkie store, and learn more at writersbucketlist.com.
About Dana Sitar
Dana Sitar is a freelance blogger and indie author of  A WRITER’S BUCKET LIST: 99 things to do for inspiration, education, and experience before your writing kicks the bucket.” She shares resources, tips, and tools for writers in search of a path at DIY Writing. Connect and say hello on Twitter @danasitar, and join the community of DIY Writers on Facebook.
LINKS
Author blog Book website Goodreads Book Trailer Buy linkTwitter: @danasitarFacebook  

FIRST LOVE BLOG HOP: Vampire Author Alexandra Anthony

Alexandra Anthony, Author
The Vampire Destiny Series 
If you dare, please welcome vampire aficionado Alexandra Anthony, who likes “all things vampire.”  Describing her series of books, one reviewer says, “the journey is made with enduring love and lust, excitement and commitment, and plenty of action, and all of these things are done with a thought to using the English language in a creative and flowing way.”
Alexandra Anthony lives in the Midwest with her husband and daughter. When she is not writing about vampires, she is home-schooling her daughter and re-reading Daphne de Maurier’s Rebecca, her all-time favorite book.
Don’t miss the excerpt following the book descriptions.
Click the link at the end of this article to check out the First Love Blog Hop and learn about other participating authors and how to win a Kindle and many more prizes.

Q: Why do you like “all things vampire”? Does your love of vampires have anything to do with your search for a “paranormal, happily ever after?”
Alexandra Anthony:  I’ve always loved vampires…it started when I read “Interview with the Vampire” by Anne Rice.  To me, vampires are mysterious and seductive creatures.   I love a happy every after story, and the thought of meeting your soul mate in a vampire would be perfect.  You could be together for an eternity.
Q: What would you say to someone who does not appreciate vampires?
Alexandra Anthony:  Vampires aren’t for everyone.  There are vampire stories that I don’t like, so I think it depends on the story and how it’s written.  I’m fine with people that don’t find immortal life interesting!
Q: One of your reviewers says “If you are looking for a "sweet" vampire romance, this is not for you. The sex scenes are absolutely SMOKING hot.” Hmm – so are your books romances or vampire stories?
Alexandra Anthony:  I like to consider my books erotic, paranormal romance stories.  Vampires have the allure of being sexual creatures, so I carried it over in my books.  In The Vampire Destiny Series, Stefan and Josephine are “fated” to be together.  They are made for each other and they are desperately in love (and lust) with each other
Q: So, since vampires really don’t exist – it’s true, you know – how do you make your characters believable?
Alexandra Anthony:  As much as I’d love to have my own Stefan, it isn’t meant to be.  I try to add an element of reality in with the books…they have careers, lives, goals, they love.  I think all of these factors add reality to the imaginary.
Q: How do you tell the difference between heroes and villains in your stories? 
Alexandra Anthony:  In The Vampire Destiny Series, Stefan is my hero.  While he can be a cold-blooded killer, he chooses to live as humanly as possible.  The villain in my series always seems to have an agenda…and their evil ways go deeper that what we see on the surface and in each book a new layer is revealed.
Q: Why are you a writer?  When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
Alexandra Anthony:  I’ve always written.  It took a serious health issue two years ago to make me take the plunge into putting my work out there.  And here I am, writing a new series and getting ready to start writing the fourth book in The Vampire Destiny Series.  I didn’t want to put off doing what I wanted to do anymore.  Life is too short for regrets.
Q: Do you write purely for entertainment? Or do you incorporate messages to your readers?
Alexandra Anthony:  A little of both.  I try to write my heroines as strong women that are equals to their heroes.  I don’t like to write a damsel in distress.  I like my heroine to be able to hold her own.  Many books are written where the heroine is dependent on the hero to function.  I don’t want my women to be written that way.  We don’t need a man to complete us…even though they have a lot of fun along the way.
Q:  Tell us something about yourself, e.g., do you like to sail? Eat? Go to plays? What’s your favorite holiday, book, author, character, play, movie, celebrity?  What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a muse? Is he a vampire?
Alexandra Anthony:  I’m a stay at home mom that also home schools my daughter, so when I’m not writing, I’m also a teacher!
One of my favorite books is “Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier.  I’ve loved that book for nearly 22 years…and it’s one I’ll still pull off the shelf and read occasionally.
Yes, I do have a muse.  He is my main vampire in The Vampire Destiny Series…Stefan.  He’s modeled after my celebrity crush, Alexander Skarsgard.
About Alexandra Anthony
Alexandra Anthony lives in the Midwest with her husband and daughter. She is currently writing The Vampire Destiny Series in which Josephine Anderson, a Psychic Empath, meets the undead man of her dreams. She is also working on her newest series, The Dark Hart Chronicles. In this series, we meet Savannah Wood and up and coming rock star Nick Hart. Learn more at www.alexandra-anthony.com.
FATED: THE VAMPIRE DESTINY #1
Chasing the secrets of her past...
Josephine Anderson is a 28 year old psychic empath.  Isolated and alone, she'd given up on finding love because of her "gift".  She's haunted by her vivid dreams about a mysterious man that is her destiny...
Her world is turned upside down...
When she meets Stefan Lifsten, she's surprised to discover that he's the man from her dreams. He's tall, blond and drop-dead gorgeous, but he has his own secrets to hide.  He's a millennia old vampire that's been on a quest to find her after his own vision 200 years ago...
Their fates finally collide...
Will their fated love and desire be enough to keep them together as she becomes entrenched in the world of vampires and her past unravels?
*This is a romantic, erotic book.  It contains sexy vampires, graphic language, adult content and situations that aren't for the faint of heart.  Consider yourself warned.*
ILLUSION: THE VAMPIRE DESTINY #2
Her story continues... Psychic empath Josephine Anderson is surprised to discover that she's a little more than human. She's a vampire hybrid with a powerful vampire father... Her life will never be the same... She prepares to live as an immortal with her vampire mate,Stefan Lifsten. As she makes plans to abandon her old life to be at her lover's side, she begins to slowly transform,developing new abilities and desires... Long buried secrets are revealed... When she discovers the truth about her heritage, she's drawn into a web of passion, deception, and power struggles that leave many lives hanging in the balance. 

*This is a hot, romantic book. It contains sexy vampires, graphic language, adult content and situations that aren't for the faint of heart. Consider yourself warned.*


AWAKENING: THE VAMPIRE DESTINY #3
After a harrowing attempt on her life…

Vampire hybrid Josephine Anderson and her gorgeous vampire mate, Stefan Lifsten return home to New York City. Unknown to her, they will be forced to face the Council regarding her brush with death and Stefan’s hand in the killing of the vampire that attacked her…
There’s more than meets the eye...

Her continued changes reveal that there is much more to her relationship than she originally thought… going much deeper than simply fate and destiny. Their passion and desire for one another increases, threatening to consume them both…
Time is slowly ticking away…

As their Council date approaches, long-buried evidence is uncovered that further complicates Josephine’s tenuous relationship with her vampire father… and will change vampire hierarchy forever…
*This is an erotic, romantic book. It contains sexy vampires, graphic language, adult content and situations that aren't for the faint of heart. Consider yourself warned.*
Excerpt
My eyes rose to meet his eager blue eyes.   I hadn't heard his approach and I was too busy chastising myself to pay attention.  He was on his knees at my feet.  I attempted to embrace him, yet his hands ceased my movement as they encased my wrists.  He held them at arms length, his eyes searching mine."Lukas said you wanted to start over?"  His statement was a question.  "So I will start over for you.  Consider my question differently.  Wear my ring and be with me because you love me, because you cannot live without me.  Be with me because I make you happy, because I drive you crazy.  Be with me because you cannot imagine a day without me.  Josephine, be with me because I only existed until I found you after centuries of searching.  Only you.  För evigt."Stefan pulled a ring out of his pocket.  His mouth parted, his tongue nervously swiping across his lower lip.  He took my left hand in his much larger one, stroking the skin tenderly."If this were during my human life, our union would have been arranged between our fathers to strengthen the village.  It is not those times, yet I still want to ask you properly.  So I ask you again.  Ska det finnas en ände för oss båda, en obligation efter våra löften, inte heller skall vårt första kärlek planlöst förgås.  Jag ber om din hand är min kompis, min älskare för evigheten.  Vara med mig."Choking back tears, I could only whimper.  I knew in that instant that this was right and I'd been crazy to reject him because of my silly ideas about his obligation.  "Translation, please?"He smiled, his chiseled face had that unarmed, child-like expression again.  I imagined this is what he'd look like if he were still human, kneeling before me. "Josephine, there shall be one end for us both; one bond after our vows; nor shall our first love aimlessly perish.  I ask for your hand to be my mate, my lover for eternity.  Be with me."He offered the ring to me.  A beautiful emerald cut diamond ring sat nestled in his large palm.  It was set in platinum, the delicate band surrounded with rubies.Hesitantly, I reached out to touch the ring.  "Stefan...it's too much.""Is that another no?" Stefan hadn't moved from his knees."Yes, I mean no.  Yes, I'll be with you," I mumbled.  I watched as he slid the beautiful ring on my finger.  It twinkled, the red rubies gleaming almost as brightly as Stefan's blue eyes as they watched me.Without warning, I was surrounded in an instant.  His solid arms and a warm wall of muscle pulled me into a rough embrace.  His enormous frame swallowed me up, making me feel safe, desired and most importantly, loved.
Links
Facebook Author Page Facebook Book Page 
Twitter:  @AlexAnthony80 
Web Site 
Authorgraph
LinkedIn 
Goodreads E-mail: alexandraanthony80@gmail.comAmazon Author Page 
Smashwords Author Page
 Amazon Links 
FatedIllusionAwakening 
Barnes & Noble Links 
FatedIllusionAwakening
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