Sutton Shields's Blog, page 11

OVERFALLS is here!!!

 Fall Over the OVERFALLS here!




OVERFALLS, the second Wave in The Merworld Water Wars series is finally here!!! 

And for anyone looking to meet some quirky, crazy, loveable characters in a wild world full of adventure and fun, FINNED, the first Wave in The Merworld Water Wars series, is now only .99 at Amazon! 

Many hugs and loads of love to anyone who has given my quirky characters (and their goofy author) a chance. <3

Character Interviews: Trey Campbell Answers Mer-questions!

Today, we’re going to dig through our mail and ask Trey all those burning questions I just know my precious readers are flipping fins to know the answers to! So let’s get started.
Pearlfrom the West Wave of Fairla wants to know how you feel about the ‘Normals’ label placed on you and your friends by the Merpeople.
Trey [shrugs]: I don’t like labels of any kind. You know, all creatures struggle with the same [EXPLETIVE], so what the hell is the point of slapping labels, apart from wanting to be jackasses? It’s a bully thing in my book. But—yep, I have a but [Clarissa giggles like an 8th grade idiot]—now that I’ve railed on it [laughs with Clarissa], I will say it has grown on me because we are different…and why not celebrate it? We’re special. So, if the merfolk want to highlight our uniqueness with a label, go right ahead. We’re always willing to make it work in our favor. [smiles sexily…Clarissa fans herself]
Tommy, also from the West Wave of Fairla, asks: Did you ever believe in mermaids before learning the truth in Saxet Shores?
Trey: Yeah, I think I did, in a really broad sense. I’ve always felt there was a lot more to the world that we can’t see. When human kids started developing talents, I pretty much figured mythological creatures existed on some plane. Plus, my instinct literally screamed it from the earliest days I can remember of my life.
Ooh, Tay from the Atlantic ocean wants to know if you would ever date a mermaid.                                                           Trey, winking: You interested? [laughs…while Clarissa, once again, makes an ass of herself by nearly falling off her chair. She could do with a drool towel as well] Let’s just say I’m not close-minded. [another wink]
Well, that was most enlightening…phew…um…okay…Birdie from the North Wave of Fairla has to know if you would ever consider living underwater.
Trey: If the right girl has a fin I can’t resist, you can bet I’ll make the move…down.
[Good Poseidon. Clarissa unleashed a laugh so wild, even the Normal raised an eyebrow] What a great answer! That was just…what do you want?! [Clarissa notices blue puffs from her editor] It seems my editor wishes to ask you a question, Trey.
Trey: Go for it.
Editor, in the form of blue puff lips: What is the significance of the owl pendant you always wear?
Trey: It’s my luck charm. I’ve had it since I was an infant. For some reason, I’ve always felt it kept me safe. That’s about it, I guess. Meikle thinks it holds some kind of magic. I don’t sense anything magical about it, but maybe I wouldn’t, since it’s an inanimate object.
Editor, in the form of blue puff lips: Thank you, Trey. And, Clarissa…kindly keep it together. [Clarissa blushes madly and stares at me—the Sandblastwriter—murderously]
Next question, then… Oh, this is a good one. From Jack in Diagonal South Fairla: Trey, who would win in a fight, you or Troy Tombolo?
Trey [laughing]: Whoa! Good question. Man, if I don’t say me, then I’ve got no balls, you know? So, yeah…me! Yeah, it’d be one helluva battle, I can tell you that. Troy’s a lurker. I mean, his anger, his strength, kinda bubbles right below the surface. When and if he chooses to unleash it…it could be scary. BUT, I’d still beat him, okay?! [lots of laughs]
Harmony from the heart of Fairla wants to know what you look for in a girlfriend.
Trey: Well, this is going to make me sound like a lying tool, but…eyes, personality, and inner beauty mean everything. I’m not screwing around or trying to say what you want to hear, or bull[EXPLETIVE] like that—I genuinely mean it. My ability to read a person makes it damn near impossible for me not to look at the inner beauty of someone before anything else. And, let me tell you, that’s where guys should be looking—that’s where they’ll separate the real from the fake. Uh, Clarissa? Clarissa? You okay?
[Clarissa, gazing at Trey like a lovesick guppy, is in her world of Trey + Clarissa sitting in a wave, k-i-s-s-i-n-g; first comes lov—] Oh, shut it you enormous piece of whale dung! [Trey is studying Clarissa with a ‘have you been smoking too much seaweed’ look. And, if you ask me, she probably has] I literally hate you, you damn snark-spewing contraption.
Trey: Did we have any more questions?
Oh, yes! One more for today. This one comes from Rella, a Ravenflame! Wow! We don’t have too many from them.
Trey, smirking: Can’t imagine why.
Rella wants to know if you…oh my…would ever date a Ravenflame?!
Trey, eyes wide: Wow. Didn’t expect that one! Well…given some people I now know, things I’ve now seen…I would have to say…yes, IF she’s the right kind of girl.
Ooh, what do you mean by, ‘given some people I now know?’ What people? You mean a Ravenflame and a Fairhair?! Voluntarily together?! Happy?
Trey: Yeah, I’m not going into specifics, sorry.
[Clarissa, biting her lip, suddenly has an idea] How would you like to come back for another round of mailbag fun?
Trey: Sure, yeah, sounds good. But you won’t trip me up.
Oh, of course not. I wouldn’t even try. [And she will try…she has a whole week to plan]

Merworld Water Wars: Trey Campbell Talks About His Intuitive Power!

                                                          Describe your main power for our readers, if you will.
Trey: Yeah, basically, I can sniff out lies, dig up truths…that kind of thing. It’s kinda hard to define because it all happens in my gut. I just know where there’s a lie. Might not know what the truth is, but you can damn well bet I’m gonna find out.                                                                                                     So, how can your friends get away with keeping things from you?
Trey (grinning): Some lies are harmless. I mean, I know what ones are major and what ones aren’t. The major ones rattle my core…it forces me to hunt until I uncover the truth. Minor lies might give me a twinge, but I know not to turn them into a big expedition, you know? And then there are the fun ones, like when someone wants to surprise you with a present or something—those are cool.
I guess no one has ever been able to surprise you, then?
Trey (chuckles): Not at all. They get it, I think. They just ignore it. [laughs] I’ll try to, you know, forget I know something’s coming, so I can act surprised for them and stuff. I mean, anytime someone wants to do something nice, and then actually follows through, it’s a big effing surprise, so… [laughs from Trey and Clarissa].
Biggest drawback with having this talent?                                   Trey: Finding out someone you trust, maybe even love, can’t be trusted.
Has this happened to you?
Trey: Uh, yeah, I guess you could say that. [Trey notices Clarissa’s rather big mouth opening] It’s not a can of worms you want to open.
Well, then, what’s the biggest plus side to this talent?                     Trey: Sort of the same answer, in a way. It’s good to know who your allies are, but it’s sometimes sad to know who they aren’t.
In order for your power to work, do you have to be in close proximity to the person, or is it in the voice, a look, what?
Trey: I think it’s mostly a proximity thing, but there have been times where it’s just a general feeling coming from a group of people, no one specific. It varies, I guess. Either I get the vibe, or I don’t. Pretty much that simple.
Let’s talk secrets! What are some juicy morsels you’ve uncovered using your power?
Trey [laughing]: Ah, well…did you know Benji once spiked Irving’s fin cream during gym?
He did not!
Trey: Yep. Used something called a shedding cream?
Oh no! Shedding creams are used for overly dry fins—it basically sloughs away the top layer of fin. If Irvingdidn’t need it, trust me when I say the process was terribly itchy.
Trey [hysterical]: Awesome. Oh, sorry.                             No, no, it’s fine, it’s fine! This is good scoop! What else do you have for us?
Trey: Madame Helena sneaks loads of liquor to her room, usually vodka, despite lecturing kids on the evils of alcohol; Vice Principal Anderson fudges his height and wears a toupee [Clarissa gasps and giggles]; some of the Fairhair students aren’t natural blonds.
[Clarissa nearly falls off her chair] That’s not possible.
Trey: Why not? There are some non-blonds, right? There are a couple of well-known mermaids that come to mind.
Uh, yes, I suppose that’s true. They’re exceedingly rare, though…and it could mean—who are the Fairhair students with dyed hair?
Trey [eyebrow raised]: Forgot. New topic?
Of course. Next on my list is, uh…[Clarissa shuffling through her notes. She’s pissy she didn’t get what she wanted] Oh, shut up, you stupid Sandblastwriter…piece of seahorsesh—[Trey gazes at her like she has lost her crap…and, truth be told, she has] Here we go—next up, we have some special questions from our loyal readers!
Tune in next week when Trey answers your questions!

The Merworld Water Wars: Meet Trey Campbell, The Guy Normal

This week, my nosy little reader-loves, we have the only guy Normal in Saxet Shores. He’s been called a rebel with a sharp tongue and an even sharper mind. Of course, there are many titillating tidbits I’d love to ask him, but we are restricted by higher powers in what topics we can explore. In future interviews, I hope to unearth some of the more scandalously revealing topics. But don’t fret—I intend to dig up some deeply buried bones for y’all to gnaw on.


Trey, thanks so much for being here today [Dear Mother of Poseidon, he is a looker…just observe the way his black tee hugs his muscles. Ooh, puddle-poo! Must remember this stupid Sandblastwriter records my every thought. Focus on the questions. Focus on the questions. Focus on—those eyes! Darn.]


Trey [leaning back in his chair, smirking]: No problem, Clarissa. Thanks for having me. Nice eyes you've got, there.


Oh [giggles idiotically…really, can you not keep it together?] thank you. Well [clears throat in obvious fashion] how do you like being the only guy of the group?


Trey: Every guy’s dream…except Meeks isn’t exactly affectionate, you never know when Polls is going to attack you—be it in demon form or with her sword-for-a-tongue—and Marina is my best friend. So, yeah, it’s great, but sort of limiting, if you know what I mean.


But you did briefly date Marina. What happened there?


Trey: Nothing happened. No drama, no heartbreaks. I love her—she’s my best friend. But we both agree we’re better as friends. Not that I wouldn’t go, you know, wherever she’d let me go [winking]. Hell, I’ve told her as much. Aw, she’s gonna kill me for saying that. [chuckles, though there is a twinge of concern in his eyes]. In all seriousness, she found what was missing with us in someone else. [tightening jaw and shifting in seat]


You mean TroyTombolo. Do I sense disapproval?


Trey [shrugging]: Disapproval. Discontent. Don’t trust the guy. Simple as.


Why don’t you trust him?


Trey: Let’s just say he’s given me every reason in the world not to trust him, especially when it comes to the heart of my best friend.


Are you saying you think Marinashould reconsider her relationship with Troy?!


Trey: I think she should be careful. She can take care of herself, I know that. It’s just…the heart can sometimes muddy-up the brain and mute that gut instinct. Not really a problem, since I’ll always have my keen eye and instinct on him. To be fair, I do believe he loves her. He just, uh, has some pretty dark stuff he needs to work on.


Well, that’s certainly true of every breathing creature, to some extent. Let’s talk about Ophelia. Did you two ever actually date?


Trey: Nah. She was dating Earl at the time.


Ah, yes, Earl was the other guy Normal. He wasn’t in Saxet Shores very long, as I recall. What happened to him?


Trey: Uh…he’s hooked up…elsewhere.


That must have been crushing for Ophelia.


Trey: You have no idea.


Maybe now that you and Ophelia are back from your little excursions, you two can give it a try?


Trey [smiling]: Think that window has come and gone. [his cheeks suddenly blushed]


Oh, do I sense there’s someone else on your radar?


Trey: Safe to say, yeah…[Clarissa’s practically drooling to know the scoop; she may fall off her seat]…and no, I’m not going to answer any more questions about who’s lighting up my radar.


At least tell us if you are on this person’s radar…


Trey: Think I am, yeah.


Final thoughts on being the only guy of the Normals?


Trey: I’m the center of attention by default; I’ve always had first date dibs; and when all else fails, I get a free pass to playing the overprotective big brother. All in all…it doesn’t suck.


Join us next time when Trey talks all about his special intuitive power…and all the untold secrets he has uncovered! 

NOTE: Once again, we have massive, out-of-place gaps that don't show up on either the 'compose' page or the preview. Not sure why it happens on some posts and not others. I'm so sorry I'm not more tech-savvy. The savvy escapes me...I'm minus the savvy. :/

The Merworld Water Wars: Meikle Dishes on Her Friends

Meikle: Can we talk about my friends, now? Really want to talk about them.
This is the most eager I’ve seen you. In case you haven’t realized, you don’t really show much emotion.
Meikle [deadpan]: I know.
Of course you do. Let’s talk Normals, absolutely! Let’s start with the boy of the group, Trey Campbell. Trey’s an intuitionist, meaning he can see truth behind lies. That must be problematic if any of you are keeping secrets.
Meikle: Not really. He’s incredibly talented, but he’s more concerned with what’s going on outside of our group, so we can be the wool to his eyes.
Have any of you ever dated Trey or wanted to?
Meikle: Marina and Trey always had a connection. Ophelia was hot for him, but she had a boyfriend…and she always, always fainted around him. Polly asked him out while we were in the institution. Freaking mess that was.
What happened?
Meikle: Polly wanted Trey; Trey wanted Marina; Polly demon’ed out. It was one of the first times Polly had lost it. Actually, thinking back on it, the whole thing was pretty entertaining.
Why is that?
Meikle: There was this kid that wore a clown mask everywhere he went. When Polly’s demon bits took hold, she marched over to the circus-kid, pulled his mask as far off his face as she could, and then let it go. That thing snapped him so hard, he never wore it again. In less than two seconds, Polly did for that kid what years of therapy couldn’t do.
That is funny! So, is she over Trey?
Meikle: Oh, yeah. It was a hormonal flash, anyway. I think she swapped souls with a succubus that day.
Right. Anything you want to add about Polly?
Meikle: Uh, she’s completely screwed up, socially inept, focused solely on herself, irrational, and twisted…and entertaining and 100% loyal.
Marina Valentine. One word you would use to describe her would be what?
Meikle: Heart.
Heart? Why heart?
Meikle: She’s all heart. Everything she does is driven by her heart. She never puts herself first, even when she thinks she does. She’s as good as they come.
Who’s the funniest of the Normals?
Meikle: Not me. I don’t do comedy. Marina. She does comedy, most of the time unknowingly. She’s a combination of slapstick, dry humor, and stupidity.
Ouch!
Meikle [shaking head]: She’d be the first to say it, trust me.
Who’s the drama queen or king?
Meikle: Polly, hands down, even though she doesn’t think she is. She can spot microscopic things that annoy her quicker than a telescope…and then grow them into mountains. No joke. Polly can drum up more drama than a paper sack.
Is she going to get mad at you for saying that?
Meikle: You can bet on it.
Nervous?
Meikle [raising an eyebrow]: Hello? Witch here.
One final question. This was the top question sent in by our readers: Where did you get your nail polish color, Undead Red?
Meikle: I made it.
You made it?! Would you consider bottling it for Merpeople?
Meikle [sly grin appearing]: Well, let’s just say it’s not suitable for everyone. See, it’s not your average nail polish. Its ingredients are…unique.
Well, thank you, Meikle, for your time. It’s been…interesting. Join us next week, lovely readers, for the next installment in our interview series…think you’ll like who we have on deck! 
Until then~xoxo, Clarissa Smoggrove 

Character Interviews: Meikle Talks Love

Meikle has kindly [sort of kindly] agreed to continue with our interview under the condition that no questions be asked about her bag. Meikle, did you want to address my editor’s inquiry regarding your interest in Troy Tombolo?
Meikle: Troy isn’t only my other best friend’s boyfriend, but he’s not my type. I like them a little more fragile…the kind I can chain up, break down, and break in.
Interesting [disturbing]. So, in general, what are your thoughts on love?
Meikle: Love is lust in disguise…the big bad wolf wearing the skin of a little lamb he just ate.
Um…care to expand?
Meikle: No.
Please…for our readers, I mean?
Meikle: Fine. People feel guilty about lusting after one another, so to ease their minds, they slap on the ‘I Love You’ and go at it like rabbits, guilt-free.
Does that mean you don’t believe in real love?
Meikle: Haven’t seen it yet.
What about your friends, Marina Valentine and TroyTombolo?
Meikle [laughs, sort of]: Yeah, I guess. Closest thing to it, given how they’re able to restrain themselves. If those two ever drop the formalities and give in, the earth with crack in two.
How about you? Are there any Merpeople you’re interested in?
Meikle: Maybe. Maybe not.
Can’t you give us a hint?
Meikle: Sure I could…but I won’t.
Do you think there’s a mutual attraction with this person?
Meikle: I think he’s afraid of me.
Does that worry you?
Meikle [smirking]: It turns me on.
Are you the aggressor in a relationship, then? Or do you wait for them to come to you?
Meikle: A little of both. I like being the aggressor without the guy realizing it.
Have you ever used magic to cast a love spell?
Meikle: Love spells are for novices. There are more reliable magical methods of securing a guy.
Ooh, care to share?
Meikle: Really no.
Right. So, from an insider’s perspective, what went wrong with Troy and Katrina Zale?
Meikle: For starters…she’s a merwhore-merbitch who has a soul gunkier than mud. Yeah, think that’s enough. Marina came along and showed Troy what something real was all about.
How long do you give Troyand Marina?
Meikle [with a sarcastic chuckle]: Depends. However long we have to live, I guess, which seems to vary every day, but leans mostly toward the shorter sell by date.
Final thoughts on love before moving to our next topic?
Meikle: Love is like a shooting star—catch it cleanly, and you might have something really special; fumble it, and you’ll be burned to a damn crisp.
Uh-huh, well, that’s…yeah…so stay tuned for next week when Meikle gossips about her friends. Should be…interesting.

The Merworld Water Wars: Normal Meikle Martinez on Witchcraft

Do you ever wish you didn’t have powers? 
Meikle: No. Being a witch is what I’m supposed to be, and I’m damn good at it. If people can’t handle it, they can suck it. 
What do you say to those who believe your talents make you dangerous?
Meikle: Closed-mindedness makes for a far more dangerous individual. 
What’s the best part about being a witch?
Meikle: People don’t screw with you, and if they dare…you know you’re going to win.
Some might call that cockiness. What is it, cockiness or confidence?
Meikle: It’s truth. I never think someone is going to defeat me. Doesn't matter what you do, if you think you're going to fail, you probably will.
Are there any witch-related movies, books, characters, or shows created by humans that you enjoy?
Meikle: First off, they weren’t created by mere humans. Every single creative individual behind supernatural books, shows, and movies has supernatural connections. I’m surprised this isn’t more widely known. Anyway, yeah, loads...but you really can’t beat Harry Potter, can you? I also thought Nancy Drew was pretty cool. 
But she wasn’t a witch…
Meikle: You sure about that?
So, could you take Hermione in a fight?
Meikle: We’d be on the same side. Now, if we’re talking Bellatrix…I could take her down in under five. 
Minutes?
Meikle: Seconds.
You know, I actually don’t question that at all. Polly Purdue is one of your best friends and a fellow Normal. Have you ever tried to cast a spell that would free her of those demon bits?
Meikle [frowning…think I’ve angered her]: Why would I do that? 
It’s just…she doesn’t have the best social skills because of her talent--the ability to soul swap with demons. I just wondered if…
Meikle: If I’d change one of my best friends to make her, what, more politically correct? There’s enough [expletive] in the world. Why the [expletive] would I add to it? She might be thoroughly screwed up, but she is who she is, right?! Stupid freaking [expletive]. Oh, son of a freak…not again. [glowers at another blue puff]
Editor, in the form of blue puff lips: Is it true you want to steal your other best friend’s boyfriend? And what exactly is in your bag?
Meikle: That’s it. [many expletives as she abruptly leaves the interview room]
Oh, but we’re not done! Um…pause here while I try to bring her back.
To be continued…

FINNED: Meet the Normals--Meikle Martinez, Witch

Today, lovely readers, we meet our first Normal. Meikle Martinez is known for being very dark, unemotional, and quite intimidating. Try not to hide behind your coral couches, readers! Here we go…

Hi Meikle! I’m Clarissa Smoggrove, chief reporter for the #1 selling merperson magazine, Sandierays. Thank you for taking time to answer some burning questions for our curious readers!

Meikle [swinging her illustrious purple sequined bag]: We’ll see if you still thank me by the time we’re done.

Uh, right. [wipes brow]

Meikle: What is that thing? Looks like some sort of elongated hourglass that spits out…sandpaper?

Oh, it’s a Sandblastwriter. It transcribes everything we say—even my mental notes—and automatically sends it to my editor, so she can read it in real-time. She can even send her suggestions or questions. See this slot on the right side? If she wants to insert thoughts, small blue clouds will puff from there, transform into lips, and ask you questions. Don’t let it frighten you.

Meikle: Nothing frightens me.

Yes, well, shall we begin?

Meikle: Thought we already had.

[nervous laughter] So, when did you first realize you were different from other children?

Meikle: I was five. This little jerk named Tommy McMathers shoved me into a hornet’s nest behind the school playground. I turned the hornets into dragonflies…which mysteriously attached themselves to Tommy’s head and face. One even went up his hairy nostril. Did I mention he was deathly afraid of dragonflies?

Uh, no, you didn’t mention that. How did Tommy react?

Meikle: Oh, he screamed like a little girl. It was great.

Is that how the Imperia found out about you?

Meikle: Doubt it. Tommy was too afraid of me to tattle. Besides, according to Trey, the Imperia has some kind of early warning system. Basically, anyone who’s different is institution-bound.

Life in the institution must have been awful. Would you like to talk a little about your experience there?

Meikle: No.

Oh. Um. Maybe just a brief statement of your experience for our readers?

Meikle: Sucked.

Well…

Meikle: You did say ‘brief.’

I did, didn’t I? All right, then…can you tell us a little more about Madame Helena Hambourg? She’s the founder and principal of The Helena Hambourg House for Maladies, but she also heads up The Hoodoo Council, is that right?

Meikle [glaring murderously at the Sandblastwriter as a puff of blue smoke emerges and begins floating around her head]: Yep, she’s the head hag of both. Helena’s House of Hell was the first institution created for our kind. It filled to capacity pretty quickly as more and more kids emerged with unexplainable gifts. I think our government thought it was an anomaly at first—just a weird transmutation in a containable group that would go away with treatment. When our kind grew exponentially, the government crapped a brick house and opened lots of institutions. The Hoodoo Council oversees them all. What does this annoying thing want? It’s pissing me off. [gestures editor’s floating blue puff]

My editor would like to ask a question.

Meikle [tightly gripping her bag]: Then stop circling my head and ask the damn question.

Editor, in the form of blue puff lips: Does The Hoodoo Council hear every Normal transgression, or is there another deciding body?

Meikle [shaking head]: Didn’t I just basically answer that?! Your editor needs to be timelier in her inquisition. Uh, yeah, they preside over every Normal in every institution. Everything goes through them.

Helena Hambourg’s a pretty big deal in the movement against your kind, then.

Meikle: Ya think?

But she possesses powers as well and, I understand, uses them. Is that not a bit hypocritical on her part and that of your government?

Meikle [one corner of her mouth curling into the slightest of grins]: The world is full hypocrites and contradictions. But…one day, it will happen. One damn day…

What will happen one day?

Meikle: Tables will turn…and I’ll be doing the turning.

What are three words that best describe Madame Helena?

Meikle [grinning]: None are safe for your publication.
Next week: Meikle talks about being a witch!
NOTE : Once again, there are big gaps between paragraphs. NO CLUE how to fix it; they don't show at all in the preview or in the 'compose post' screen. :/ I'm so sorry about that. :/ Maybe it's how Meikle wants it to look, who knows?! lol 

OVERFALLS, The Merworld Water Wars Book Two Cover!

 I didn’t think it was possible to love a book cover as much as I love the one for FINNED…then I saw the one for my second baby, OVERFALLS. 
*THUD* 
Yeah, that would be me falling off the chair. I’m so completely and totally IN LOVE with this cover! Not only does it speak to a VERY important part of the story, but the way the clouds circle Marina…it’s like she’s in the eye of a particularly nasty storm (which, well…yeah, I’ll shut up now). 
Sigh. I want to hug it.  

So, without further ado…please meet OVERFALLS, the second wave in The Merworld Water Wars series: 

Cover Art: Claudia McKinney at Phatpuppy Art ~<3~ Typography: Ashley, The Bookish Brunette

Two secret wishes. Only one will be granted. Let the Mer-Nor Games begin.
Unlike most high school seniors, Marina Valentine isn’t sweating college (she’s outlawed from even applying), the prom (she has her dream date…possibly), or graduation (though surviving to rock the ill-fitting gown is iffy). No, she’s a little preoccupied with succeeding as a walking myth post-graduation. So, when Marina awakens as the one and only Siren Savior, she thinks the tide is about to turn on the merbitch’s mer-psycho family. Unfortunately, she has issues with her flighty Savior powers, and the timing couldn’t be worse. For with the arrival of a feared foe, comes the promise of a disastrous year…and that’s an understatement.
For years, mythological beings have awaited the fulfillment of a mysterious prophecy involving Merpeople, Normals, an epic clash, and a wish that could forever change one group’s destiny. But the real trouble begins when an assassin known as The Dealer starts sending her cryptic messages written on potentially lethal playing cards.
The Dealer makes one thing very clear: someone Marina loves will die. Now, she must find The Dealer before he (or she) finds his victim. But with everyone either a suspect or a target, how will Marina be able to uncover the truth before time runs out?
Not even the Siren Savior in all her power can prepare for the devastating answers.

Roping the Roundup, Part Two: Cover Reveal, Reviews, & Upcoming Character Interviews

It seems when I remember to post things on FB or Twitter, I forget to add them here and vice versa. *shakes head*


Roundup: 

* C over Reveal : Ooooh, it's here! It's here! It's time! The cover for my second baby is all ready! I'll be doing a thorough post and summary on here tomorrow. If you'd like to see it sooner, please stop by The Zombie Queen herself: 

The Bookish Brunette-The Merworld Water Wars Book Two  Cover Reveal! 



* Reviews : FINNED has received a couple of truly AMAZING editorial reviews from Ashley at The Bookish Brunette and PaulHarrison of A Role Model. I reverted back to my seven-year-old self when I read them, and Mom and I actually jumped up and down and cried (did I really just admit to that?).


Here are a couple of snippets from each (**SQUEAL**). The links to the full reviews can be found in the above paragraph (done especially for you, Mom; now you can just click the link, since I know how much you hate to type in web addresses ;) ) 

 "Two words: Freaking Awesome...FINNED is a fun, sharp-witted tale of Merpeople, Normals, first love, some heart-pounding action and a centuries old war that everyone is still fighting. And MerRacing?? Oh. My. God. BEST THING EVER!!! Seriously- one of the coolest freaking scenes I've ever read in my life..." -The Bookish Brunette

"...FINNED is fun and witty. It's so packed full of charm that it is simply irresistible. The book is fun from start to finish. It's entertaining in a way that very few indie books are, and for that its more than worthy of recommendation." -Paul Harrison, ARoleModel


* Mandy's Top Ten : I also recently answered Mandy’s Top Ten on her blog, I read Indie.  Her questions, like her blog, were an absolute blast! The giveaway is over now (and stupid me didn't remember to post about it here--just FB and twitter. Hey, at least I got 2 out of 3). If you’d like to read her awesomeness and my silliness, as well as an excerpt from FINNED, pop on over by clicking this link: 
Top Ten with silly me! 


* Character Interviews : Well, the Merpeople have finally secured interviews with the local Normals (i.e. Non-merfolk, but powerful nonetheless…albeit extremely quirky). Please join chief reporter from the top selling merfolk publication, Sandierays, Clarissa Smoggrove as she attempts to dig up dirt on the resident outcasts of Saxet Shores, Texas (operative word being ‘attempts’).


Let’s just say these interviews could get very, very messy.


First up on Ms. Smoggrove’s radar is Meikle Martinez, a powerful witch with a dark, somewhat unemotional demeanor. Well-known for her mysterious obsession with her purple sequined bag (rumored to hold some unknown power), Meikle is a self-proclaimed non-hugger, prefers black to all colors, & shows unwavering loyalty to her friends.

Coming soon! :)

NOTE: I'm so sorry for all the big spaces. It doesn't look that way in the edit/create post page. I have no idea how to fix it. :/