A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 78

Daughters of Zion – Blog Tour

Daughters of ZionBiblical Retellingsby C.A. GrayGenre: Christian Fiction, Biblical Nonfiction Have you ever wondered what it was like for Eve to be the first woman, created as an adult but with the mind of a child? What must it have been like for Deborah to be the only female judge in Israel’s history? Ever considered how Esther felt about being chosen as queen in the ungodly kingdom of Persia—particularly when she’d have to share her husband with a harem? What must Mary and Martha have thought when their brother Lazarus had died, and it looked to them like Jesus was not coming? This collection of retellings from the perspectives of women in scripture explores these stories and more, including a few stories from female perspectives that also appear in Messiah: Biblical Retellings. While all of these women lived in various patriarchal cultures, and some of the most prominent women were even Gentiles, scripture shows that God cherished them all. As the Apostle Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28)—and this was true for believing women under the old covenant as well, whose faith was counted to them as righteousness. These are tales of miracles and victory: from brokenness, bitterness and envy to shalom: peace and wholeness, with nothing missing and nothing broken. For some, this meant a transition from barrenness to motherhood; for others, from widowhood to love and belonging. Still others went from bereavement to receiving their dead restored to life again. They included judges and queens, and also prostitutes and despised foreigners. God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11, Acts 10:25): what He does for one, He will do for all who believe in His promises. Add to Goodreads Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo C.A. Gray is the author of three YA Amazon bestselling trilogies: PIERCING THE VEIL (magic and quantum physics meet Arthurian legends), THE LIBERTY BOX (dystopian metaphysics and mind control technology), and UNCANNY VALLEY (dystopian coming-of-age with neuroscience and super intelligent A.I). She starts with some scientific concept that she’s interested in learning more about herself, and then creates lots of epic chaos and high-stakes action to go along with it. Her stories are free of gratuitous violence, language, and sexual content, and she abhors depressing endings… but they’re not all kittens and rainbows either! She also listens to and reviews audiobooks on her website (www.authorcagray.com), Goodreads, Instagram, and on her podcast, Clean Audiobook Reviews, where she also occasionally interviews other authors.By day, C.A. Gray practices naturopathic medicine, podcasts, and writes medical non-fiction under her maiden name (Lauren Deville). She lives in Tucson, AZ with her husband Frank, and together they maintain an occasionally contentious film review blog (under her real name: Lauren Baden. Three names. Yes.) She’s kind of the queen of multitasking–so in her spare time, she creates whatever meals or crafts she found most recently on Pinterest, drinks lots of coffee (Aeropress btw) and occasional wine (reds–and she saves the corks for craft projects), works out (while listening to audiobooks), and studies the Bible (about half of the podcasts on Christian Natural Health are scripture meditations). …She does sleep, too.Join her newsletter for best-of-the-month reads, freebies and giveaway information, as well as new releases! http://eepurl.com/F3rof Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Pinterest * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway! $25 Amazon a Rafflecopter giveaway

Character Interview – Desdemona – Virtue Angel

CHARACTER NAME- Desdemona,  Virtue Angel, Captain of the Royal Guards for the Court of Light leader of the Illuminasqua 

How did you end up in the situation you’re currently in? I fought Lucifer and saved Archangel GabrielDo you have any regrets? noneIs your life now as you envisioned it? If not – then why? no, but its ok I am protecting Queen Aurora a job that is an honour. I never thought I would be a Virtue Angel, but I am happy to have kept my Elestial blade.Do you believe in monsters? Yes I have fought themDo you have a moral code? “Loyalty to the kin not to the crown.”Would you kill for those you love? YesWould you die for those you love? YesHow do you think others see you? My enemies fear me and I like thatWho is your greatest enemy? I have none, but I despise King Jarvok.What is your greatest weakness (we won’t tell)? I have no weakness, I was the greatest of the Power Brigade members and the only one to ever exalt to Virtue Angel, and now I am the leader of the Illuminasqua. Jarvok thinks he is the best but one day we will meet and I will face him and finish the scar on his right cheek I gave him.How do you think others see you? Like a deadly weaponDo you believe in god(s)? Not anymoreWhat do you think of your author/creator? a total badass because she made me.

For the author

Books in which this character appears: Birth of the Fae: Locked out of Heaven, Birth of the Fae: Thine Eyes of Mercy

IG: @birthof thefae_novel

Birthofthefae.com

Danielle M. Orsino was working as a nurse and treating a patient who needed some distraction during long I.V. treatment sessions. So, Orsino decided to tell a story. Little did she know the seed would grow into a fantastically epic adventure of heartbreak, hope and rebirth — Birth of Fae: Locked Out of Heaven. Drawing from her passion for comic books, Cosplay and fantasy along with her expert martial arts expertise, Orsino brings forth an electric and hopeful debut.

 

Danielle is taking on her biggest challenge to date: taking the story born from the long treatment sessions with a patient into a fantasy book series-Birth of the Fae: Locked out of Heaven. Expanding her love of writing, comics and exploring the world of fantasy novels, she delves into the realm of fairies and retells their origins from a completely new perspective.

Dirty Dozen Author Interview – Danielle M. Orsino – Fantasy

Author name: Danielle M. Orsino

Please tell us about your publications/work.

A fantasy epic adventure of heartbreak, hope and rebirth — Birth of Fae: Locked Out of Heaven. The book was born from my time working as a nurse and treating a patient who needed some distraction during long I.V. treatment sessions. I jump into the  realm of angels, fairies, dragons and mermaids retelling their origins from a new perspective .

How did you become involved with bundles? (For Bundle Authors)

Stephanie Rabell  my PR rep.

Do you think the written word (or art) bring power and freedom? Yes it levels the playing field and gives people a voice.

What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you started your publishing journey? so much, there are scammers just waiting to pounce, don’t doubt yourself. The whole “if you write it they will come.” line doesn’t work. YOU have to work at it. The publishing world is a game like anything else and you need to learn it.   

What’s your greatest networking tip? Book clubs, and the bookstagram community are phenomenal be appreciative of them.

If you could have dinner with any literary character or author who would you choose, and what would you eat. Shannon Mayer or Laurel K. Hamilton. I have to know how Laurel writes her sex scenes and how Shannon can write so many different characters and tie her universe together she is truly prolific. A food old fashion Italian family style dinner.   

How much research do you do for your work? What’s the wildest subject you’ve looked at? I have done a lot of religious text research and looked at tons  of conspiracy theories for book four. So probably the shadow government stuff dealing with the supernatural was pretty weird.  

How influential is storytelling to our culture? It’s ingrained in our culture when you about it, storytelling was our first real source of verbal entertainment.

What’s the best advice you’ve received about writing/publishing? Be yourself.

What’s the worst piece best advice you’ve received about writing/publishing? Change for your audience.

If you could be any fantasy/mythical or legendary person/creature what would you be and why? A Fae. 

Which authors have influenced you the most? Ann Rice, Laurel K. Hamilton, for their fearlessness. Jim Henson and Walt Disney for their ways of showing how to craft a story.  

What is your writing space like? I handwrite all my books first so my space is anywhere. 

Tell us about your latest piece? I am editing book four, but we are getting ready to release Book two in which the Fae will see what happens when you can’t remember why you started a war and how it has affected their kin and their human worshippers. We will see the Fae in the end of Tudor England and the beginnings of Queen Mary the first.

What’s your next writing adventure? In book Four the Fae will be in the 21st century and I am currently editing book four and about 25 chapters into book five.

What are your views on authors offering free books? Do you believe, as some do, that it demeans an author and his or her work? NO I think the more people who read the better, price and money should never be an obstacle,  reading is not a privilege it is a right that everyone has.    

What are your views on authors commenting on reviews? Depends. if the review is inaccurate and coming from a nasty place and the author feels they are being demeaned it is up to them same if it’s a touching review and they want to say thank you they should. 

How do you deal with bad reviews? I am working on dealing with the reviews. I negate the best and the worst, together. Each review has merit. The ones that bother me are when its clear the person has a bias because I am a female author. An example is the subject of romance; I have had reviews about people wanting more romance. I have said book one has no romance. But because I am a female author they feel I should have romance. The reviews are bad because it is someone else’s opinion about me as a female author and their assumption. The book does not really get a fair shot. I have also had a few people have issues with the religious subject matter so I have warned people of the religious undertones some are offended by that and the violence which once again coming from a woman colours their view and the book. The reviews usually say something like “the religious stuff doesn’t bother me but…” and they go one to pan the book. It is clear the religious subject matter was an issue or “The violence is not appropriate for YA readers.” but my book is not listed for YA, I had someone write “for a woman she is angry and violent.” I am a world-class martial artist of course I write great fight scenes! Those are the types of reviews which bother me but, I am learning to deal with them. Everyone in entitled to their opinion and I respect it.    

Sort these into order of importance:

Great characters

Good plot

Awesome world-building

Technically perfect

With the influx of indie authors do you think this is the future of storytelling? I hope so, I think the big publishing machine has controlled and limited the voices long enough it is time for a change. 

Is this the age of the e-book? Are bricks and mortar bookshops in decline? no I don’t think physical books are in decline but the way we shop is changing, the versatility of e-books can’t be denied. I think to each their own, I love the way a book feels in my hand and the magic of opening it. 

 Are indie/self published authors viewed with scepticism or wariness by readers? Why is this? I believe there is still a stigma and lack of validation that a big publisher did not “chose” you to publish so readers are still unsure to spend their hard earned money on you as an author which is unfair, many indie publishers have educated themselves on the ins and outs of the publishing world and do not want to be anchored to the contracts and want control of their works. 

What is your greatest success? Sitting down to write and having the guts to introduce my version of the Fae to the world.

How important is writing/art to you? it has become like air.

What are your hopes for the coming year? To have more readers enter into the Veil and perhaps forget their reality for a little while. The greatest joy for an author is to be someone’s tour guide into the world they have created.

Tell us a silly fact about yourself. I dressed up as Wonder Woman every year for the first 10 years of my life every Halloween. Then I went to see Lynda Carter perform a few years ago in concert and I dressed up as Wonder Woman because it was a few days before Halloween. Guess what I was the only one dressed up. 

What did you want to be when you ‘grew up’? Wonder Woman I wrote essays about it

 

Links to book

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/birth-of-the-fae-danielle-marie-orsino/1136777080

https://bookshop.org/books/birth-of-the-fae-locked-out-of-heaven/9781734764505

https://www.amazon.com/Birth-Fae-Locked-out-Heaven/dp/173476452X

Lighthouses of Devmaer Blog Tour – Scifi/Fantasy Romance

Bound to the AdmiralLighthouses of Devmaer Book 1by Libby CampbellGenre: Steamy Fantasy SciFi Romance He controls the queen’s navy but can he tame the princess? When her parents choose a gruff, battle-hardened admiral as her mate and give her no say at all in the matter, twenty-one-year-old Princess Gael does not hesitate to make her displeasure known. Despite her protests, however, her old-fashioned yet undeniably sexy future mate wastes no time in taking Gael over his knee and baring her bottom for a painful, embarrassing spanking when she defies him during an ancient ceremony intended to celebrate their upcoming union. Fleet Admiral Kai Grenville has no doubt that taming his beautiful, feisty new mate will be a battle, but it is a battle he intends to win. If that means paddling Gael’s beautiful backside bright red with her panties stuffed in her mouth to teach her what happens to sassy mates, then so be it. Though she does her best to remain indignant about her situation and Kai’s willingness to chastise her as often and as shamefully as he feels it necessary, Gael cannot deny her body’s response to his dominance, and when he claims her the pleasure is more intense than she would have thought possible. But with a plague ravaging their world and Gael’s reckless behavior putting her in danger, can Kai find a way to conquer her heart while also keeping her safe? Publisher’s Note: Bound to the Admiral includes spankings and sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book. **Only .99cents!!**Goodreads * Amazon Bound to the CommanderLighthouses of Devmaer Book 2 He rules an entire nation but can he command her? When rumors of twenty-three-year-old orphan Pepper Thornback’s incredible healing abilities reach the ruling Tribunal, Commander Quinn Garrick sets out to bring her to the capital. Pepper is given no choice in the matter, and when she attempts an escape during the journey she is taken over his knee for a sound spanking and then stripped bare for a painful, embarrassing switching. More humiliating still, upon reaching their destination Quinn informs Pepper that she will be his ward for the duration of her stay and he will not hesitate to deal firmly with any disobedience. Despite her blushing indignation at being treated in such a shameful manner, Quinn’s stern dominance arouses Pepper deeply, and when he takes her in his arms and claims her properly she is left utterly spent and satisfied. But when Pepper makes a shocking discovery concerning the fate of her parents, will the revelation strengthen her bond with Quinn or tear them apart forever? Publisher’s Note: Bound to the Commander is a stand-alone sequel to Bound to the Admiral. It includes spankings and sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book. **On Sale for only $2.99 Mar 17-23!!**Goodreads * Amazon Bound to the SheriffLighthouses of Devmaer Book 3 Stranded in his savage land, she must learn to trust. But first she must learn to obey. When she witnesses a violent incident while travelling to a nearby city to buy medicine for her village, twenty-one-year-old orphan Takyu is taken into custody by Sheriff Falcon Kingski. Locked in a cell for a humiliating interrogation, she soon learns that the stern, handsome lawman is not to be trifled with and defiance will earn her a sound spanking on her bare bottom. The painful, embarrassing chastisement leaves Takyu sore yet intensely aroused, and it isn’t long before she has been claimed properly. Their bond grows stronger as they work together both to catch a dangerous fugitive and to uncover the cause of the illness ravaging her homeland, but when a secret Takyu has kept is exposed her punishment will be as thorough as it is shameful. Publisher’s Note: Bound to the Sheriff is a stand-alone novel which is the third entry in the Lighthouses of Devmaer series. It includes spankings and sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book. **On Sale for only $3.99 Mar 17 – 23!!**Goodreads * Amazon Bound to the WatchersLighthouses of Devmaer Book 4 When Radiance refuses to choose between the two men who love her, they join forces and take the decision out of her hands. After surviving a harrowing imprisonment in her homeland, Radiance has a new and independent life in her adopted country of Icebridge. She has achieved a coveted senior military rank and now lives beside the ocean that is her lifeblood. Her secluded lighthouse home is the perfect place to keep the secrets she dares not share with anyone. Because of her special gifts, she has sworn to never give herself to only one man. Instead, she enjoys the affections of two dominant Devmaerean officers, Ghent and Khari. She is lover to both and faithful to neither. Then a freak storm draws her into dangerous seas to save a squadron of ships bound for Icebridge. As Radiance guides the fleet, with its royal passengers toward a safe harbor, a massive sea tornado sweeps her up. It drops her into the net of ruthless pirates, men whose raging lust is at a tipping point.As Ghent and Khari plan her rescue, they decide there will be a change in their future with Radiance. First, she will have to present herself for a shameful punishment, as atonement for her life-threatening secrecy. Is Radiance as brave as she thinks she is? Disclaimer: Bound To The Watchers includes spankings and sexual scenes, intended for mature audiences. These scenes are fantasies included for entertainment purposes only. If such spicy material, might offend you, please don’t buy this book. This standalone novel is book 4 in the Lighthouses of Devmaer series. It has a satisfying ending and can be read on its own or as part of the series. Goodreads * Amazon ***Check out the FREE Lighthouses of Devmaer Novellas too! *** Bound By His KissGet it FREE with newsletter sign up Subscribe here! Bound By LoveGet it FREE with newsletter sign up Subscribe here! Get the Prequel novella Bound to the Past FREE here! Amazon My smart spicy romance novels feature strong, self-reliant women and the powerful men who love them. They deliver a sting in every tale.Canadian by birth, I also lived in Australia for a couple of decades. While living there I overcame my aversion to saucer-sized spiders and, as a condition of marriage to my Aussie Prince Charming, I swore a lifelong allegiance to the Melbourne Football Club.Then family called and my husband and I packed up and moved. We now live on a rocky island on Canada’s West Coast, close to beaches that once were frequented by smugglers and rumrunners.My passions are reading and writing. I adore all animals and love hiking, beachcombing, and an occasional night of dancing. Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads * Newsletter Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway! $25 Amazon a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mob Ratbag – Spotlight and Blog Tour #NewAdult #Romance #Suspense

Mob Ratbagby L.R. StarrGenre: New Adult Romantic Suspense Rat ta tat tat. I’m just a ratbag on a bike. Living for the freedom of my wheels. Boston.She’s my turf and I ride her like a well-tricked pony.I ain’t doing sh*t wit my life and I ain’t shit.Money, bikes,cars, girls, and four years at Lexington private school.My destiny is already carved out for me, but what if I don’t wanna?Then Chantelle came along… The goody-two-shoes from the Eastside. She ain’t like the others looking for a bad boy like me.She’s no pushover and I like that.She loathes me and it makes me want her.Bad.I’m gonna make her mine, except I got this little family business problem…Once you’re in the ‘familia’ there’s only one way out, and if I’m gonna get the girl…Come join the emotional ride through Lexington private school to see if Chantelle and Sam can make it through. **Only .99 cents!!**Goodreads * Amazon L.R. Starr is a lover of mysteries, witty dialogue, suspense, romance, and fantasy. If you like to travel through your books strap in for the ride she’ll take you across the country.When she’s not I’m writing she’s usually exploring, and coming up with yet another devious plot or pursuing her other love which is painting and drawing. Enjoy the bedlam friends! Facebook * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway! Mystery Swag Box!! a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Author Interview – Rita Lee Chapman #Crime #Mystery

 

Welcome to Crime author, Rita Lee Chapman.

Please tell us about your publications/work.

There are four books in the Anna Davies Mystery Series: Missing in Egypt, Missing at Sea, Missing in London and Missing in France.

I have also written two crime mysteries – Dangerous Associations and The Poinciana Tree.  I have also written a book for horse lovers, from teenagers upwards, Winston – A Horse’s Tale. 

I decided the beautiful Poinciana tree would make a great cover for a book, so I started with the cover and then built a story around it.

Most of my books also come in large print editions.

Do you think the written word (or art) bring power and freedom?                 

I believe learning to read and write empowers everyone and should be a basic human right. 

What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you started your publishing journey?

I was actually given this advice by a wise, local bookshop owner.  “Don’t expect to become rich from your writing.”  Perhaps I should have taken more notice!

If you could have dinner with any literary character or author who would you choose, and what would you eat.

I think I would choose Kate Moreton, a local Australian author, who writes so beautifully.  I would like to have oysters natural for entrée, followed by roast pork with crackling and real apple sauce accompanied by roast vegetables, finishing with a decadent chocolate dessert.  There would, of course, be French champagne to drink.

How much research do you do for your work? What’s the wildest subject you’ve looked at?

For some of my books, the research has already been done, i.e. I set the book in a country I have visited.  Other books require quite a lot of research.  For The Poinciana Tree I researched in formation on, and read books based in, the Sudan.  The wildest research I have done was on rohypnol, the rape drug, for Missing at Sea.

What’s the best advice you’ve received about writing/publishing?

Write more books!

What is your writing space like?

Quiet!  I’m lucky to have a study, lined with book shelves.

Tell us about your latest piece?

Missing in France is Book #4 in the Anna Davies Mystery Series.  Like the others, it is a stand-alone book, although I have recently combined the four books into the Anna Davies Mystery Series e-book.  Here is the blurb:

When Mike accepts a two-year contract in France, Anna is delighted at the prospect of spending time in Paris and Marseille.  She doesn’t anticipate being drawn into yet another mystery, one which puts her own life in danger. 

What are your views on authors offering free books? Do you believe, as some do, that it demeans an author and his or her work?

I don’t offer books for free.  I believe your time and energy deserve at least a small payment.  I also think a lot of free books are downloaded and never read, because that reader has downloaded so many free books, with the best of intentions but lack of time to read them.

Sort these into order of importance:

Good plot

Great characters

Technically perfect

Awesome world-building

With the influx of indie authors do you think this is the future of storytelling?

I think there is room for both indie authors and traditionally published authors.  It is the writing that counts, not the form of publishing.

Is this the age of the e-book? Are bricks and mortar bookshops in decline?

I think online shopping has affected all shops, especially during Covid.  There is no doubt that bookshops have declined in number and many are much smaller in size, which mean they are limited in the number of books they can display.  I am confident, however, that there will always be a call for bookshops.

What did you want to be when you ‘grew up’?

I wanted to be a show jumper, but as I lived in London, this was never likely to happen.  I was fortunate to go riding at a local riding school once a week and when I moved to Australia I rode all week-end for many years.  The show jumping bit never happened though.

Links to book

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WZ4KCN3/

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X69SNJZ

Large Print: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X63F2BN

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08X63F2BN/

Bio

Rita Lee Chapman was born in London and moved to Australia in her early twenties.  It was only when she retired that she wrote her first novel, Missing in Egypt, the first in the Anna Davies Mystery series.  This was followed by Missing at Sea, Missing in London and Missing in France. All can be enjoyed as stand-alone books.

Winston – A Horse’s Tale was written for horse lovers like herself.  “It was the book I had to write.”

Dangerous Associations and The Poinciana Tree are crime mysteries. 

When she’s not writing or reading, Rita enjoys playing tennis, walking and entertaining.

Website: www.ritaleechapman.com

 

 

 

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Top Ten Mythical Creatures with Charles E Yallowitz #Fantasy #Myth

Welcome back to Charles E. Yallowitz, today he chats about mythical creatures.

TOP TEN MYTHICAL BEASTS

Vampires–  I’m putting this here entirely because my current series revolves around them.  I love how there are so many versions of vampires.  You can tinker with the mythos so much as long as you keep some of the basics or explain why your breed doesn’t follow the norm.  Also, it’s fun to have immortals get into fights because you pull off some wild moves that more fragile species could never accomplish.Griffin–  At some point in my life, I gravitated towards the griffin.  Funny considering I’m afraid of heights.  I think part of it is that they have the majesty of eagles combined with the regal presence of lions.  They come off as mythical beast royalty to me.Perytons–  This one is going to be obscure to most, but I got hooked on them while researching monsters for my books.  These are flying stags, which makes them similar to griffins.  I always saw them as vicious and feral as they travelled in flocks or herds. Not sure what you would call them.  I don’t get to use perytons often, so I save them for special occasions.Trickster Gods–  Not sure if they would really fall into the category of mythical beasts.  Gods tend to be closer to characters, but there are animalistic ones here.  Being someone who enjoys humour, I like reading about beings that exist to pull pranks and cause mischief.Trolls–  When you really need to throw a terrifying monster at your heroes, look no further.  These creatures are the stuff of nightmares to me because I always see them as top of the food chain.  They aren’t smart in the same way as orcs and ogres, but they have this primitive intelligence to go along with their power.Lycanthropes–  I feel it’s better to go with this instead of werewolves.  This becomes an umbrella term for any person who is cursed to transform into an animal or hybrid.  Many would argue against it and design a -thrope for each species though.  As far as this list goes, it’s easier to use this and say that I enjoy the tragic existence of them.  They aren’t human or animal, so they’re trapped in the middle of both worlds.Krakens–  Feels like a cop out thanks to the overused pop culture phrase, but I’ve always been amazed by enormous squid monsters.  They’re simply terrifying with their tentacles, arms, beak, and crushing strength.  Being that they’re ocean predators, I see them as even more dangerous.  Humans can’t do much against them once their boat is gone.Pegasus–  It’s another flying beast and one that many pick, but I have it on the list for nostalgia.  Long ago, when I was a little kid, my grandfather would tell me stories about Pegasus.  He was a flying horse who escaped a carousel, went on adventures, and always ended up visiting Davey Jones’s locker.  It’s surprising that I don’t use Pegasus in my stories that often, but that might be because it’s a rather special and personal monster.  It would feel weird if I kept throwing it into my more violent tales.Black Dogs–  In high school, I got really interested in crypto-zoology and tried to come up with stories revolving around them.  They never worked out, but I always tried to slip the Black Dogs into them.  The reason is because the thought of running into a large, black dog at night gave me chills.  It wasn’t even the idea of them being aggressive, but they came off as being a source of fear.  They are omens of death, which helps that.  Maybe part of it is that I always imagined they looked like Great Danes or Rottweilers.Jackalope–  I was sitting here thinking of so many monsters and not being sure which to end the list on.  Then, I remembered this one that gets looked at as a joke at times.  It’s a rabbit with antlers, which doesn’t seem that dangerous or even monstrous.  This appeals to my own habit of creating beasts by slapping animal parts together until I’m satisfied.  Makes me believe that I’m carrying on the human tradition of making monsters.

Bio-

Charles Yallowitz was born and raised on Long Island, NY, but he has spent most of his life wandering his own imagination in a blissful haze. Occasionally, he would return from this world for the necessities such as food, showers, and Saturday morning cartoons. One day he returned from his imagination and decided he would share his stories with the world. After spending many years fiddling with his thoughts and notebooks, he decided that it was time to follow his dream of being a fantasy author. So, locked within the house with only pizza and seltzer to sustain him, Charles brings you tales from the world of Windemere. He looks forward to sharing all of his stories with you and drawing you into a world of magic.

Social Media-

Blog: www.legendsofwindemere.com
Twitter: @cyallowitz
Facebook: Charles Yallowitz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyallowitz/

Links etc

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0921ZGG44

Book Spotlight – Missing in France #Crime #Mystery

 

Title:  Missing in France  (Book #4 in the Anna Davies Mystery Series)

Author:  Rita Lee Chapman

Genre:  Crime mystery

Main character description (short).

Anna Davies is the protagonist of this series.  She is curious, persevering and tenacious.

Synopsis:

When Mike accepts a two-year contract in France, Anna is delighted at the prospect of spending time in Paris and Marseille.  She doesn’t anticipate being drawn into yet another mystery, one which puts her own life in danger. 

Brief Excerpt 250 words:

Chapter One

The Chase

I could hear footsteps behind me as I ran down the cobblestone street.   It was narrow and dark and I knew I had to get to where there were some people.  My chasers were closer now, their footsteps echoing off the walls and I didn’t know if I could keep going for much longer.  My breathing was coming in heavy gasps and my chest was burning. At my age, I was not used to running.  Surely there were people around somewhere, it wasn’t very late.  I had to find help, or somewhere I could hide. 

Everything was closed; there didn’t seem to be anyone around.  I turned a corner and flew up a flight of steps to the next street, where I could see street lights throwing their welcoming light.  The men were not far behind.  I had no idea who these men were or why they were chasing me.  Did they want to kill me, or only to frighten me?  I didn’t know – but I wasn’t slowing down to find out.  I felt real fear enveloping me.  In fact, I was terrified.  I had to keep running.

I saw people lying in the street up ahead.  Why were they lying in the street?  Were they dead?   As I came closer, a few heads popped up, but nobody moved to stand up or to help me.  Why was no-one trying to help me?  They stared at me with eyes that didn’t see and turned away.  I ran past them, they couldn’t, or wouldn’t, help me. I kept running; down another cobbled alleyway, around another corner.  I had a stitch in my side now and I was gasping for breath.  How much longer could I outrun them?  

Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?

This book will appeal to readers who enjoy mysteries combined with travel and a touch of romance.  As a stand-alone book, it is not necessary to have read the previous three books in the series.

 

 

Links etc.

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WZ4KCN3/

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X69SNJZ

Large Print: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X63F2BN

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08X63F2BN/

 

Website:  http://www.ritaleechapman.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rita.chapman

Mystics in Hell #Fantasy #HistoricalFantasy #DarkFantasy

Mystics in Hell

Mystic Madness!

Join the doomed on their vision quests in eleven stories by the damnedest writers in Perdition: Janet Morris; A.L. Butcher; Joe Bonadonna; Andrew P. Weston; Gustavo Bondoni; Seth Lindberg; Tom Barczak; Michael H. Hanson; Louis Antonelli; Christopher Crosby Morris.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0926LKYYH

https://www.amazon.com/Mystics-Hell-Janet-Morris-ebook/dp/B0926LKYYH/

Janet Morris & Chris Morris: A Frame of Mind

The devil’s casting couch becomes a chopping block. On a blasted heath, Marlowe find’s his mystic powers and loses his head over the Weyward Sisters. At the Globe, unwitting Orpheus and Solomon set the stage for Satanic mayhem as real witches cast themselves in Macbeth.

 

Andrew P. Weston: The Come Right Inn

In the Come Right Inn, we meet one of Satan’s most secretive agents. A charming woman with a finger – and most other body parts – in every pie. She’s bewitching, beguiling, and bedeviled to be sure, but won’t think twice about skinning you alive if you cross her. 

 

A.L. Butcher: Abode of Woe

When the self-proclaimed anti-messiah builds a temple on their doorstep and ruins business, Calchas and Cassandra look to some devious means to bring down the walls.

Duelling mystics and misinformation bring mayhem to the underworld.

 

S E. Lindberg: Fool’s Gold

Rejoice Forty-niners, there is a gold rush in hell! King Midas still transmutes flesh into gold. He’s minting the promising new gastro-currency: buttcoin. Mine for a price. At your own risk.

Most-infamous archeologist Howard Carter discovers that exploiting mysticism can turn a profit, even in hell. If only he could only seize the Philosopher’s Stone from higher powers…

Thoth, Egyptian god of mysticism, seeks conspirators to regain control over his realm of afterlife, Duat. He just needs someone to retrieve his alchemical powers. You in?

 

Lou Antonelli: The True Believer

The man who invented Apartheid refuses to acknowledge his hellish fate and gets a special visit to set him straight.

 

Gustavo Bondoni: By Any Means Necessary

Umberto Eco knows he’s in Hell; the suffering and multiple deaths that never kill him permanently are more than enough of a clue for a man of his learning.  But when he gets forcibly recruited by Nazi Commando Otto Skorzeny to prove the theories of one of history’s greatest charlatans, he thinks things can’t get any worse.  He’s wrong.  Hell can always get worse.

 

Tom Barczak: Excalibur

Hell can be hard. But Rasputin has something even harder, and Lafayette Ronald Hubbard desperately needs it if he is going to pull off the greatest magic trick hell has ever known.

 

Michael H. Hanson: On the Run

Sufi mystic Rumi, Zen Buddhist Dōgen, and Charlatan Spiritualist Mina Crandon use their new found magics on the grandest of all quests, to find powerful talismans that will allow them to escape Hell itself.

 

Andrew P. Weston: The Sorcerous Apprentice

In The Sorcerous Apprentice, Daemon Grim learns new tricks from an old dog. And just as well. There’s a fallen saint to bring to heel, and she’s not known for playing ball . . . crystal or otherwise. 

 

Joe Bonadonna: Colossus of Hell

Victor Frankenstein and Alan Turing want to build a cyborg. Quasimodo wants to win the hand of a fortune teller. Rasputin and Cagliostro want to open a private club. And the Orange Ogre, he wants revenge.

 

Strange Arts: Janet and Chris Morris

Deep in the bowels of the Tower, Kit Marlowe is recruited by Elizabeth’s spymaster, Walsingham, for a perilous mission. Witches, wraiths, Fates? Who are the Weyward Sisters? And what do they want in hell?

 

Character Interview – Clyde the Vampire #Fantasy

CHARACTER NAME:  Clyde

Tell us a little about yourself:

Let’s get the obvious out of the way.  I’m a vampire.  Not the kind you’re thinking of, but a species called a Dawn Fang.  In fact, I’m the first one due to this thing called the Great Cataclysm.  It washed over the world and turned my execution into a rebirth type of thing.  Now, I’m faster, stronger, and immune to the sun.  A few accidents later and I realized I could make more of my kind, which resulted in me creating a kingdom called Nytefall.  I’ve been leading the Dawn Fangs for a few decades now and it doesn’t get any easier.  Running a gang of vampiric thieves is one thing.  Now, I have to run a kingdom in the face of a civil war, sun-worshipping priests, hunters, usurpers, and all manner of enemies.  The worst part is that I can’t kill all of them if I want to prove to mortals that Dawn Fangs aren’t monsters.  Not that I haven’t considered it.

How did you end up in the situation you’re currently in?

The mess I’m in is rather complicated.  As far as I know, I haven’t done anything to anger this vampire hunter.  He calls himself Alastyre and keeps ripping the heads off vampires.  Swears he’s the one who’s going to kill.  Scary part is that he might not be wrong since he’s the strongest enemy I’ve ever faced.  Nobody else has managed to match my power and primal brutality like this guy.  So, I’m going to have to do something I haven’t done in over one hundred years.  I have to train and get stronger in order to stop this maniac from killing my people and destroying my kingdom.

Do you believe in monsters?

Of course.  I am one.  Don’t go thinking all monsters are heartless beasts that can only destroy.  Sure, that’s basically the definition, but that way of thinking is why Dawn Fangs are having trouble.  We are vampires, which makes us monsters.  Yet, we’re able to live like mortals, so we’re in the middle.  Personally, I think any species can be seen as a monster in certain situations.

Do you have a moral code? If so what might it be?

I guess you could say that I do.  Hard to tell since I use illusions to trick people, especially in battle or when I’m stealing.  Guess you could say that my moral code depends on who I’m dealing with.  If I’m facing an honourable person then I’ll act the same.  Pit me against a jerk and I’ll do whatever it takes to either kill them or knock them down a few thousand pegs.  One constant rule I have is that you don’t draw children into your fights.  They can join when they grow up, but let them be kids before that time.

Would you kill for those you love?

I’ve proven that I would on several occasions.  Not only for the woman I love, but my friends too.  They’re my family and I’m going to protect them with this great power I’ve been given.  In return, they watch my back and make sure I don’t surrender to the monster in my soul.  Guess that desire to retain my humanity makes the whole killing for loved ones rather strange.  It makes sense if you’re a vampire.

Would you die for those you love?

Tough one here because you can only do this once.  It would have to be a very specific situation.  My sacrifice would need to result in my family being safe for the rest of their existence.  Otherwise, I’d get myself killed and they’d still be in danger, which means I made a mistake.

How do you define ‘heroism?’

Heroism is the ability to stand by your convictions and defend others.  It’s very easy to change your mind or abandon people to save your own skin.  In fact, I’d say most people do this once they’re challenged.  Those with heroism ignore their own survival instinct to make the world a better place.  Although, to be honest, I don’t have that much use for the mortal version of heroism.  For a vampire, it’s closer to having the ability to control your destructive tendencies for the good of your people.

What is your greatest skill/asset?

I would have to go with my illusions, which work off my cunning.  Sure, I can shatter mountains with my fists.  My Lord’s Rage allows me to get even stronger at the cost of my self-control.  Those work for slaughtering enemies and physical obstacles, but they can be undermined.  My illusions are much more difficult to get around and they create opportunities for my strength to be used.  I can create decoys, false attacks, or mask my true form to confuse my enemies.  That and it’s simply fun to mess with people.

What is your greatest weakness (we won’t tell)?

This is the big question.  In fact, it’s the reason I’m on this ridiculous training quest while my friends are trapped with Alastyre.  I need to figure out my greatest weakness in order to overcome it.  After decades of never feeling threatened, I can’t imagine what it would be.  Could be overconfidence, but I’m trying really hard to stay humble while I rule a kingdom.  I really wonder why people can’t just show up and tell me the answer here.

Do you believe in god(s)?

Definitely.  I come from Windemere, which has active gods.  There’s a whole pantheon that lives on an island and watches the rest of us.  They have this rule against physically interfering in events because of past mistakes.  Actually, I recently had my first god encounter.  The guy was a jerk and I’d have punched his face in if I didn’t think he’d smite me.

Do you believe you will be successful in your quest?

Yes to both quests.  I believe I will find a way to become stronger and defeat Alastyre.  There’s no reason it wouldn’t happen since I always find a way to win.  I need to be patient and think hard about the problem.  That or beat up whatever’s in my path until they give me what I need.

My other quest is the big one.  I want to prove that Dawn Fangs can live amongst mortals without posing a danger.  This is possible since we can eat regular food and drink blood without killing.  The biggest hurdle is that we’re still vampires, so people see us as monsters.  Doesn’t help that we have a civil war going on between Nytefall and those who wish to stay in the shadows.  Once I get that cleared up, the big quest will be nothing more than a simple test of patience.

What do you think of your author/creator?

He’s got a pretty good imagination, but I have a major grievance.  It took the moron about 15 years to get to my series.  He pretended to be me in this imagination game for about a year, but then shelved me for nearly half of his life.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m happy that he’s given me the spotlight, but I waited so long and I can see that my time isn’t going to be as long as that of his previous heroes.  We’re definitely going to have to chat once he goes to bed.

For the author:

Books in which this character appears:

War of Nytefall Series–  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KBFS2LK

Loyalty Lost Rivalry Eradication Ravenous Savagery

Bio-

Charles Yallowitz was born and raised on Long Island, NY, but he has spent most of his life wandering his own imagination in a blissful haze. Occasionally, he would return from this world for the necessities such as food, showers, and Saturday morning cartoons. One day he returned from his imagination and decided he would share his stories with the world. After spending many years fiddling with his thoughts and notebooks, he decided that it was time to follow his dream of being a fantasy author. So, locked within the house with only pizza and seltzer to sustain him, Charles brings you tales from the world of Windemere. He looks forward to sharing all of his stories with you and drawing you into a world of magic.

Social Media

Blog: www.legendsofwindemere.com
Twitter: @cyallowitz
Facebook: Charles Yallowitz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyallowitz/

Links etc

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0921ZGG44