Diane Bator's Blog, page 21
October 22, 2022
The fascinating worlds of horses and women’s baseball intertwine in Thickwood from Gayle M. Smith
The fascinating worlds of horses and women’s professional baseball intertwine brilliantly in Thickwood, the debut novel from Saskatchewan author Gayle M. Smith
Thickwood, Saskatchewan author Gayle M. Smith’s debut novel, intertwines the fascinating worlds of horses and women’s professional baseball with a touch of romance and a lot of heart. It’s now available in print, ebook, and audiobook editions from Saskatchewan publisher Shadowpaw Press Premiere.
“Many years ago a muse entered my writing life and she turned into a character that wouldn’t leave my side,” Smith says. “I hope readers enjoy Willomena and her adventures in Thickwood. Thank you to Shadowpaw Press for sharing the dream.”
“Thickwood is a tale I fell in love with as I worked on it with Gayle during my stint as writer-in-residence at the Saskatoon Public Library,” says Edward Willett, editor and publisher of Shadowpaw Press. “I think it’s a story that will enthrall readers on a number of levels, from the detailed, well-researched behind-the-scenes look at the world of the All-American Professional Girls’ Baseball league, made famous as A League of Their Own, to the down-to-Earth and detailed look at the intricacies of horse ranching in the Thickwood Hills, where Gayle’s own love and knowledge of horses shines through. I can’t wait for readers to have the opportunity to enjoy this story as much as I have, either in ebook or print formats or through the wonderful audiobook version narrated by Elizabeth Klett.”
Thickwood can be ordered through any brick-and-mortar or online bookstore. It can also be purchased directly from Shadowpaw Press at https://shadowpawpress.com/product/the-emirs-falcon/.
For wholesale orders, contact Alpine Book Peddlers (www.alpinebookpedlers.ca) at 403-678-2280 or info@alpinebookpeddlers.ca, or order through Ingram.
More about the book
Raised on a ranch in Saskatchewan’s rugged Thickwood Hills, where the prairie transitions to forest, Willomena Swift, home from playing for the Rockford Peaches of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, finds a precious foal killed by a rogue stallion.
The stallion’s owner, once Willo’s baseball coach, now chairs the committee heading up the new cooperative pasture—a pasture that is set to swallow her family lease, where she grew up, learned to love and understand horses, and dreamed of returning to raise them.
Facing numerous challenges with both the stallion and his owner, Willo remembers her past years playing professional baseball as she struggles to realize her dreams in the present.
Amid romance and tragedy, Willo must find a way to stand on her own and assert her rightful place in her beloved Thickwood.
About the Author
Gayle M. Smith, author of Thickwood, grew up on a mixed subsistence farm in central Alberta where, as a young child, she developed a love for animals, especially horses, and a love for reading and writing illustrated stories. In 1989, Gayle married a Saskatchewan farmer and settled into rural life to raise three children, numerous crops, purebred and commercial cattle, and horses. In 2011, Gayle was accepted into the 2011 Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild Mentorship program, where she wrote the first draft of Thickwood, which then became her master’s thesis in 2015, when she graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Master of Fine Arts in Writing. Yearly wilderness pack trips in Northern Saskatchewan with her horses inspire her writing. She also rides in the mountains, competes in numerous equestrian events, and owns and operates a horse boarding facility. Gayle’s love of the environment, history, and adventure shines in her writing. She daily interacts with her beloved partner, her family, her horses, and her rural home, while contemplating and exploring through her writing the struggle and dilemma of being human.
About the Publisher
Shadowpaw Press, founded in Regina, Saskatchewan, by award-winning author Edward Willett in 2018, publishes new work by established and emerging authors through its Premiere imprint and new editions of notable, previously published work through its Reprise imprint. For more information, contact publisher@shadowpawpress.com or visit www.shadowpawpress.com.
Gayle M. Smith is available for interviews, media appearances, speaking engagements, and/or book review requests. Please contact mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com by email or by phone at 403.464.6925
October 21, 2022
Round Robin Blog Fest October 2022 - Our 100th!!
It’s our 100thRound Robin Blog Fest Post!
Thank you to Robin Courtright for giving us some head scratching questions over the years! I don’t know about the others, but there have been a few that have made me really have to step outside what I’d normally write and think hard.
Congratulations to Robin and the whole Blog Fest Gang!That brings us to this month’s question:
Have any of your villainous characters reached redemption for their actions? If you were going to do this, how would you go about it?
Since I write mysteries, my books usually end once the villain/bad guy/antagonist is caught and is carted off to jail! To be honest, I’ve never thought about what it would look like if the villainous character reached redemption for his/her actions. Here’s where I need to step a bit out of my usual box of crime is committed, sleuth investigates, crime is solved, villain goes to prison and they all live happily ever after!
Or do they?
At the start of my Wild Blue Mysteries, The Bookstore Lady, we have Gerard Maddox who we know from the start of the book is one of the main bad guys who is out to get Katie Mullins, one of the protagonists. He’s a villain with a soft spot for Katie after she’s worked with his company and he’s had an affair with her. The heroes catch him, put him in jail, and life goes on.
To Buy: Click HereUntil in book 5, The Conned Lady, he’s released from jail on a technicality and disappears. He’s a big part of why Katie has to live in fear, but certainly not the worst of her troubles. In the end, there is no redemption. Not for him.
With so many baddies being locked away in my mysteries, surely there might be one who could redeem themselves. Right?
To Buy: Click HereWe have my favorite villain from my Gilda Wright Mysteries. Gary del Garda doesn’t flat out commit crimes on the page, not that my protagonist Gilda ever sees. He’s a mobster and all-around baddie who the whole town watches out for. In turn, he looks out for Gilda after making a pledge to her police officer father when he was killed in the line of duty. I suppose becoming her father figure, is the only way Gary thinks he can atone for some of the crimes he’s committed and—so far—gotten away with.
To Buy: Click HerePerhaps the latest villainous character in Dead Man’s Doll may stand a slim chance as well. Her anger and need for vengeance took over any rational thinking she had left, plus she was running out of time. She’d tried to join the local coven, more to get information and an in with the locals than support, but… What if she managed to change her ways and decided to fix things for her family’s sake? For her own peace of mind?
The key to having a bad guy redeem themselves in fiction is that it has to be believable. If someone terrorizes a town then comes back and decides to start a greenhouse and grow flowers to plant along the busy streets, characters are going to talk – and check the potting soil. There has to be a solid reason for the change and a deep seeded (more plant jokes) reason for them to want to do right by the people they wronged.
Hm…on that note, I’m going to do a little more thinking and see who else could plausibly have a change of heart and redeem themselves to the family of their victim, and to the sleuth who foiled their nefarious plans.
Please join the rest of the Blog Fest gang and find out what their villains are up to!
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2KA
Robin Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
October 20, 2022
CHARLIE AND THE TIRE SWING, a new children’s book by acclaimed author Diann Floyd Boehm
A new children’s book about growth, interpersonal relationships, as well as speaking to multiple health benefits by acclaimed author Diann Floyd Boehm and illustrated by Judy Gaudet
Released and published by OC Publishing!
The book will be available worldwide in all formats
Charlie and the Tire Swing is a beautiful intergenerational story told from the perspective of Charlie and his Grandpa Jack. Over a cup of hot chocolate, Charlie's grandfather tells the story of how he planted an acorn with his own grandfather, Charlie's Great-Great Grandpa George, and how he tenderly cared for it and watched it grow, from one season to the next. He shares how, over the years, as the acorn grew into a might oak tree, how each generation enjoyed the shade of the tree, climbing it, reading under it, and gathering together as a family around it. It's a story of growing strong family ties, of sharing stories from generation to generation, and of appreciating nature and the simple things in life, like swinging on a tire swing. The learning opportunities range from the science of growing things, to interpersonal relations, the health benefits of outdoor activity, and innovation, problem solving, and creative play.
Charlie and the Tire Swing: How it Began: Floyd Boehm, DiAnn: 9781989833223: Amazon.com: Books
Charlie and the Tire Swing: How it Began: Floyd Boehm, DiAnn: 9781989833223: Books - Amazon.ca
"Thank you, Diann Floyd Boehm and Charlie's Tire Swing, for giving me the opportunity to relive my childhood wonder at the miracle of nurturing growth and my childhood memories of carefree summer days spent on my own tire swing. A sweet intergenerational story." Lana Shupe, author, The Lonely Little Lighthouse
"A beautiful, whimsical story about the love and wisdom that generations bestow upon each other. The essence of this story will shift young hearts and minds towards beauty in all aspects of human existence and life." Rhonda Paver, owner/executive director, Stepping Stones School
MORE FROM DIANN FLOYD BOEHM:
The little girl shares her thoughts on how she’s ‘just like them’ and with each illustration you see the connection of the earth and the moon. Creative depictions of each phase of the moon reveal a bit more of the little girl until eager readers finally see her bright smiling, full-moon face. She’s from a different place but deep down inside, she’s really ‘just like them’!
ABOUT DIANN:
Diann Floyd Boehm is an award-winning international author. Diann writes children's books and young adult books. In addition, Diann writes books to inspire kids to be kind, like themselves, and to "Embrace Imagination”. You can find all her books on Amazon.
Diann's Story Garden YouTube Channel gives children the opportunity to hear different children authors read their stories.
Diann is the co-host with Dr. Jacalyn on USAGLOBALTV.
Diann continues to be involved in various humanitarian projects with multiple organizations.
Diann was born to parents of George and Mabel Floyd in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but grew up in Texas with five brothers. She has traveled extensively to many parts of the world and has lived in the Philippines and Dubai.
Keep in touch with Diann by joining her newsletter: www.Diannfloydboehm.com.
To request additional review copies or an interview with Diann, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.
We look forward to the coverage!
October 18, 2022
How To Be a Goldfish, a compelling read about acceptance and understanding by Jane Baird Warren
How To Be a Goldfish
A compelling read about acceptance and understanding by critically acclaimed children’s author, Jane Baird Warren
The book is published by Scholastic Canada and is available in paperback format
Some family secrets feel too big to share…
When her teacher assigns a family tree project for parents' day, Lizzie knows it won't be long until Scotch Gully’s gossips start up again. Most folks in her conservative town are used to the fact that she's the only kid with an unmarried mom, but when Lizzie's family tree research uncovers a shocking secret about her grandmother, Lizzie knows that certain townsfolk will start their back-fence talk about her family once more. She turns to Harry ― who's been like a grandfather to her ― for help and advice, but Harry has problems of his own. Someone has arrived at his farm claiming to own it, and is forcing Harry out. Now Lizzie must face losing Harry and the place that's been her second home. Lizzie finds a surprising ally in David, the new
owner's son. Together, their sleuthing uncovers the keys to saving Harry and his farm, but sharing the secrets she and David have uncovered will put Lizzie's complicated family on centre stage.Told in the alternating voices of Lizzie and David, How to Be a Goldfish is a compelling, heartfelt, humorous read about acceptance and understanding, and will provide a gentle introduction to discussions about alternative families, homosexuality, feminism, forced adoptions and social justice.
How to Be a Goldfish: Warren, Jane Baird: 9781443192309: Books - Amazon.ca
How to Be a Goldfish, Book by Jane Baird Warren (Paperback) | www.chapters.indigo.caAbout Jane Baird Warren:
Jane Baird Warren is a first-generation Canadian with fresh-off-the-boat parents. Literally! Her father came on a boat from Norway and her mother from Scotland. Jane grew up surrounded by a rich and often confusing blend of accents and began collecting new words like some kids collect action figures. At nine she read the dictionary front to back and announced she was going to be a spelunker because she like the word.
Jane left Canada in 1998. For twenty years she travelled extensively in Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East and Asia as well as South America and Africa. During her travels she completed an MFA in Creative Writing (she loves writing on airplanes). Jane also has a Bed and a BPE and has worked as a teacher, personal trainer, and coach. She currently volunteers as a developmental editor for emerging writers. Jane has been featured on CBC radio and has published short fiction and poetry in more than a dozen literary magazines in North America and the UK. She is represented by Elizabeth Bennett at Transatlantic Literary Agency.
In her fiction and in real life, Jane is fascinated by people — the good ones, the bad ones, and the ones who are ugly inside — but what she values most in both worlds is kindness and courage. She is currently obsessed with the notion of family secrets and how uncovering the truth changes how kids (adults, too!) see and define themselves. She has ridiculous memory for trivia, which she'd always believed was the most useless superpower a girl could have. Until she started writing.
You can find more information about Jane Baird Warren on her website. https://janebairdwarren.com Drop by and leave a note. She loves visitors.
To request additional review copies or an interview with Jane Baird Warren, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.
We look forward to the coverage!
October 15, 2022
Introducing HERO HATERS, a stunning debut novel by award-winning journalist and author, Ken MacQueen
Hero Haters
A stunning debut novel by award-winning journalist and author, Ken MacQueen
The book is published by Wild Rose Press and is available worldwide in print and e-book format
He seeks redemption, others want revenge
Jake Ockham had a dream job, vetting nominees for the Sedgewick Medallion—America’s highest civilian award for heroism. His own scarred hands are an indelible reminder of the single mother he failed to pull from a raging house fire; her face haunts him still. Obligations drag him back to his hometown to edit the family newspaper but attempts to embrace small-town life, and the hot new doctor, are thwarted by unknown forces. The heroes Jake vetted go missing and he becomes the prime suspect in the disappearances. Aided by resourceful friends, Jake follows a twisted trail to the Dark Web, where a shadowy group is forcing the kidnapped medalists to perform deadly acts of valor to amuse twisted subscribers to its website. To save his heroes, Jake must swallow his fears and become one himself…or die in the attempt.
Amazon.com: Hero Haters: 9781509243853: Macqueen, Ken: Books
Hero Haters eBook : MacQueen, Ken: Amazon.ca: Books
“An edge of your seat thriller. MacQueen, a journalist, ratchets up the suspense and tightens the grip to the explosive end.” -Robert Dugoni, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Tracy Crosswhite series.
“I’m not sure how Ken MacQueen pulled it off, writing a debut novel like he’s been doing it forever. Hero Haters is simply brilliant from start to finish. I can’t wait to see what he’s got coming next.” -Dietrich Kalteis, winner of the 2022 Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence for Best Crime Novel
“Gripping from the first page. A thrill ride with all the right moves.” -USA Today bestselling author Rick Mofina
“MacQueen shares an original premise which reads as if it could’ve been ripped from the pages of one of the newspapers he wrote for. Told at a break neck pace with crackling dialogue, relatable characters and genuinely unexpected twists, it’s a compelling thriller that will be a challenge for you to put down before reaching the last page.” -Daniel Kalla, international bestselling author of The Darkness in the Light, The Last High and The Far Side of the Sky
“HERO HATERS will keep you turning the pages all night, but you’ll be sorry to say goodbye to Jake Ockham and friends. I hope we haven’t seen the last of them – or Ken MacQueen.” -Owen Laukkanen, critically acclaimed author of Deception Cove, Gale Force and the Stevens & Windermere series
“Ken MacQueen has a fine eye, a graceful touch—and a terrific sense of humour. Hero Haters is brisk, tense, refreshing, alarming—and ultimately most satisfying. A great and impressive debut. -Roy MacGregor, award-winning journalist and bestselling author
About Ken MacQueen:
Before turning to fiction, Ken MacQueen spent 15 years as Vancouver bureau chief for Maclean’s, Canada’s newsmagazine, winning multiple National Magazine Awards and nominations. He travelled the world writing features and breaking news for the magazine, and previously for two national news agencies. He has written extensively on crime, politics, disasters, both natural and man-made—and, being Canadian, on the shifting fortunes of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her clan. All of this is potential fodder for future fiction, though the Queen as action hero always seemed unlikely. MacQueen covered nine Olympic Games and drew the athletic prowess of Jake Ockham, his protagonist, from tracking elite rowers in training and on podiums in Athens, Beijing and London. Hero Haters, set in the Pacific Northwest and rural Pennsylvania, is his debut thriller. He and his wife divide their time between North Vancouver and British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast.
To request additional review copies or an interview with Ken MacQueen, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.
We look forward to the coverage!
October 13, 2022
The Emir's Falcon from Matt Hughes now available from Shadowpaw Press
Award-winning author Matt Hughes’s YA outdoor
adventure tale set in the Swan Hills of Alberta now available
from Shadowpaw Press
The Emir’s Falcon, an exciting new young adult tale of outdoor adventure by award-winning Canadian author Matt (Matthew) Hughes, is now available in print, ebook, and audiobook editions from Saskatchewan publisher Shadowpaw Press Premiere. “The novella evolved out of a real event that happened when I was an aide to Canada's Minister of the Environment,” Matt Hughes explains. “The government decided to give a peregrine falcon to a Persian Gulf emir. I wondered how the teenage volunteers who worked with the birds at the breeding facility would react. Almost forty years later, I stopped wondering and made a story out of it.”
“The Emir’s Falcon is a sharp, fast-moving tale with keenly observed young characters from very different backgrounds, brought together in the evocatively depicted Swan Hills of Alberta,” said Edward Willett, editor and publisher of Shadowpaw Press. “I’m thrilled to be able to make it available to readers of all ages and to also offer an audiobook version narrated by the wonderful Elizabeth Klett.”
The Emir’s Falcon can be ordered through any brick-and-mortar bookstore. This handy URL provides links to multiple online sources for print, ebook, and audiobook editions: https://www.books2read.com/emirsfalcon. It can also be purchased directly from Shadowpaw Press at https://shadowpawpress.com/product/the-emirs-falcon/.
For wholesale orders, contact Alpine Book Peddlers (www.alpinebookpedlers.ca) at 403-678-2280 or info@alpinebookpeddlers.ca, or order through Ingram.
More about the book
Bernie Cholach’s dad wants him to take over the family’s rural Alberta feedlot, but Bernie has other ideas: he wants to be a biologist, an interest sparked by his experiences as a volunteer bird handler at a Canadian Wildlife Service facility that breeds and rears peregrine falcons for release into the wild.
Sheik Nasur bin Mukhta, son of a Persian Gulf emir, studying petroleum engineering at the University of Alberta, dutifully accepts his life’s course, laid out for him by his traditionalist culture.
Rosie Leboucan, daughter of a Métis trapper, running her injured dad’s trap line in the Swan Hills, is focused on keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table.
Then the Government of Canada decides to give the emir one of the peregrines as a diplomatic gift. It’s more than Bernie can stand. Impulsively, he takes the bird he has been tending—he’s named it Skyrider—and flees to a remote cabin in the Swan Hills wilderness.
The RCMP mount a search. Nasur, sent by his father to collect the bird, insists on being on the scene—which turns out to be both Rosie’s trapping territory and the territory of a hungry and dangerous mama grizzly bear with cubs.
The paths of the young people and the bear converge—and their coming together will send each in a new direction.
Praise for The Emir’s Falcon
“One peregrine falcon raised in a breeding facility, to be released into the wilds of northern Alberta. Three older teens from different cultures, their lives already mapped out by parental expectations. An impulsive action by one places that falcon at the crux of a potential international incident and brings all to the brink of catastrophe in the wilderness. A fascinating and insightful read.” - Alison Lohans, author of Timefall, Don't Think Twice, and twenty-eight other books for young people and adults
“The Emir's Falcon is a rich story that soars with action, drama and detail. It raises important issues of cultural and environmental conflict and still entertains and surprises right to the last sentence.” - Arthur Slade, author of Dust, winner of the Governor General's Award
About the Author
Matt (Matthew) Hughes writes fantasy, space opera, and crime fiction. He has sold twenty-four novels to publishers large and small in the UK, US, and Canada, as well as nearly 100 works of short fiction to professional markets. His latest novels are A God in Chains (Dying Earth fantasy) from Edge Publishing and What the Wind Brings (magical realism/historical novel) from Pulp Literature Press. He has won the Endeavour and Arthur Ellis Awards and has been shortlisted for the Aurora, Nebula, Philip K. Dick, Endeavour (twice), A.E. Van Vogt, Neffy, and Derringer Awards. He has been inducted into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association's Hall of Fame. Website: www.matthewhughes.org
About the Publisher
Shadowpaw Press, founded in Regina, Saskatchewan, by award-winning author Edward Willett in 2018, publishes new work by established and emerging authors through its Premiere imprint and new editions of notable, previously published work through its Reprise imprint. For more information, contact publisher@shadowpawpress.com or visit www.shadowpawpress.com.
Matt Hughes is available for interviews, media appearances, speaking engagements, and/or book review requests. Please contact mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com by email or by phone at 403.464.6925
October 11, 2022
Introducing Whiskers Abroad: Ashi and Audrey’s Adventures in Japan, a stunning debut by Carrie Carter
A stunning debut by Carrie Carter
Published by Bayou City Press
The book is available worldwide in digital and print format
Whiskers Abroad is a lively travelogue featuring a trip to Japan shared by two main characters, Audrey and her cat Ashi, who alternate recounting their versions of events. During a twelve-day trip, the pair visit several cities. Adventures abound. Audrey is still trying to find her place in the universe, while Ashi believes Audrey would sink beneath the waves were he not present to rescue her. Audrey’s daily horoscope offers tantalizing clues as to what’s in store for the pair. Written by Carrie Carter and designed by Stacy Vickers, Whiskers Abroad is both an amusing travel story with unforgettable characters and a useful guide for tourists going to Japan. Lavishly designed, Whiskers Abroad will delight both your eyes and your sense of adventure.
“Whiskers Abroad is simply a delight, offering respite and inspections that bring readers into Japan from different perspectives, capturing a writer's journey through new foods, a different culture, and a cat's eyes. It's very highly recommended for its ability to reach beyond the usual travelogue audiences to immerse all ages in its fun adventure”. Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review
About Carrie:
Carrie Carter has a profound love for Japan, cats, sumo, dioramas, and eating unusual foods. She has traveled with her husband Jim to Japan fourteen times, so her numerous holidays across her favorite country were the inspiration for her first book, Whiskers Abroad: Ashi and Audrey’s Adventures in Japan. Carrie has run multiple marathons including the Tokyo Marathon, and, as expected, Carrie and Jim live with an adorable cat named Frenemy, who was unhappy at not being selected as the model for the book.
She started and has been playing in an ‘80s band, Molly and the Ringwalds, for over two decades now! In addition to playing the keyboard, Carrie also plays the recorder and bagpipes.
Carrie lives in Houston, TX, and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. At home, she loves to cook, design/create Halloween costumes, daydream about meeting Jacques Pepin, and watch Elvis movies, although not necessarily at the same time. She dislikes overly dramatic music used in reality TV shows. Currently, Carrie is working on her second book, a sequel to Whiskers Abroad, where Audrey and Ashi explore further into Japan and get themselves into even more interesting predicaments.
To request additional review copies or an interview with Carrie Carter, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.
We look forward to the coverage!
October 9, 2022
Vijaya Schartz launches her newest book Angel Ship, Blue Phantom Book 1
Welcome to prolific author, adventurer, and cat lover,
Vijaya Schartz!
Award-winning author Vijaya Schartz never conformed to anything and could never refuse a challenge. She writes strong heroines, brave heroes, and cats. She likes action and exotic settings, in life and on the page. She traveled the world and claims she must be a time traveler, since she writes with the same ease about the far past and the far future. With thirty-three titles published, Vijaya Schartz writes action adventure laced with sensuality and suspense, in exotic, medieval, or futuristic settings. Her books collected many five-star reviews and literary awards. She makes you believe you actually lived these extraordinary adventures among her characters.
Find Vijaya here:
Vijaya Schartz, author
Strong heroines, brave heroes, cats, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
http://www.amazon.com/author/vijayaschartz
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/vijaya-schartz
https://www.facebook.com/vijaya.schartz
https://twitter.com/Vijayaschartz
Tell us about your life outside of writing.
I currently live in Glendale, Arizona, where it’s hot and dry. I like the desert heat. Over the years, I’ve traveled the world, lived in France, in India, in Hawaii, Florida… I was a surfer and an Aikido Black Belt. Now, I practice yoga and meditation… I also practice and teach Tai-Chi… and I watch a lot of movies… for the storytelling.
Do you have a work in progress?
I always have a work in progress. Right now, it’s the second book in the Blue Phantom series, ANGEL GUARDIAN, scheduled for release next year in October. I’m still in the brainstorming and character defining stage, and the story is slowly taking shape. There will also be a big cat (or two) in that book.
What was the most difficult section/piece you ever wrote? What made it difficult?
My best friend died in France while I lived in an Ashram in India. He was twenty-six. For over a decade, as I lived faraway, I didn’t deal with his death, until it hit me one day, and I wrote a poem about it. I cried for days. But it was very cathartic.
What sort of research do you do for your work?
It depends on what I’m writing. When I was writing a series of Celtic legends, I did intensive historical research, from the Viking invasions in Scotland to the Crusades in the Middle-East. For science fiction and fantasy, I keep abreast of the current research and space exploration sciences, to make sure my stories are believable. As for the fantasy element in my stories, as Isaac Azimov once said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
Which books and authors do you read for pleasure? Is there an author who inspires you?
As an avid reader, I loved Marion Zimmer Bradley’s strong heroines and Anne Mc Caffrey’s Dragons of Pern series. I read Tolkien, Frank Herbert (Dune). Early in my writing career, I came upon Linnea Sinclair’s books. She is a pioneer of Science Fiction romance, two genres which, until then, didn’t really mesh. I was hooked on her Dock Five series. I loved the books and the new trend, and I have written many sci-fi romances since then. But I also had the pleasure of interviewing famous authors when I hosted a radio show about writing. I was a fan of Diana Gabaldon (the Outlander series), and I have the fondest memories of her. She is a talented author and a very gracious guest.
Was there a person who encouraged you to write?
As a child, I was writing poetry in first grade. I was an avid reader. My teachers all encouraged me to write, but one in particular was a mentor. I produced many poems and essays, and later travel journals. One of my boyfriends, who was an editor for a famous newspaper in Paris, also encouraged me to write… but I wasn’t ready. I thought I didn’t have much to say, for lack of experience. That’s when I started my travels. My first book out was “ASHES FOR THE ELEPHANT GOD” straight from my experience in India. It was well received and gave me the confidence I needed to continue writing and expand into other genres.
New release: ANGEL SHIP – Blue Phantom Book One
Buy link: https://books2read.com/Angel-Ship
The Blue Phantom glows like a beacon in black space, appears and vanishes, and never registers on scanners. Rumors say it will save the righteous, the oppressed, and the downtrodden… and slay the unworthy without mercy. The space pirates fear it. Their victims pray for it… but its help comes at a price…
Desperate to save her people from the Marauders swarming her space freighter, Kefira prays for a miracle. Blake Volkov, legendary captain of the Blue Phantom hears her plea and deems her and her refugees worthy of his help. Grateful for the rescue, Kefira finds his price shocking. But despite his glowing wings, handsome looks and impressive abilities, Blake admits he is no angel… although Kefira’s feline bodyguard strongly disagrees.
Meanwhile, an old enemy bent on revenge unleashed an unspeakable evil on the galaxy. Time to face past mistakes… time for innocent blood to flow. Nothing prepared Kefira for the upheaval ahead.
Can Blake find redemption? Can Kefira save her people? Can she ever trust and love again?
2021 release: ANGEL BRAVE – Azura Chronicles Book Three
Buy link: https://books2read.com/Angel-Brave
Keoke Mahoe slips through the forbidden planet’s impenetrable defenses to deliver a perilous message. But Lady Valoria fiercely protects Azura. Any intruder, especially one who kills for food, is promptly terminated.
While Valoria admires Keoke’s uncanny ability to cheat death, she cannot trust a spy. What he suggests is unthinkable... and could throw the galaxy into chaos. Yet, could he be telling the truth? She appreciates his audacity, his noble heart, and his smile… to the chagrin of Eris the Amazon, her best friend, bodyguard, and would-be lover.
But in the farthest confines of the galaxy, an old enemy is rising again. People are sacrificed by blood and fire on unholy altars. Malevolent armies are assembling, and this time, even Azura's Avenging Angels may not be able to stop the onslaught of darkness upon all civilized life.
October 6, 2022
APRIL SHOWERS BRING DEAD FLOWERS, a new cozy mystery by Krista Lockheart
Book One of the Murder on The Vine Series
A new cozy mystery series by critically acclaimed author, Krista Lockheart
The book is published by Kira Seamon Books and is available worldwide in print and e-book format
There’s something growing in the garden . . . and it’s not a flower. A mystery is growing in the garden!
Greenhouse expert and horticulture Professor Heather Moore gets a new lease on life when she inherits her grandparents’ estate in New England.
The garden she loved as a child has seen better days, but she is determined to restore it to its former beauty with the help of her four-legged companions.
Knee deep in soil, Heather digs up an even bigger challenge—human remains. Since she discovered the remains, she should get to solve the case, right?
It will likely land her in harm's way with her family's legacy hanging in the balance.But as a gardener, she already knows all the dirt, she just needs to solve the puzzle.
To make matters worse, a fellow flower enthusiast, Lars Oslo, walks into her life at the worst time. He is the man of her dreams, there's no doubt about it, but can she juggle the case and a new romance?
April Showers Bring Dead Flowers is the first novel in the Murder on the Vine Mysteries series. A clean cozy mystery, with a sweet romance plot and hilarious, and loveable characters.
Perfect for chick-lit fans who enjoy funny, fast-paced plots. Don't miss out on this breakout novel that will leave you laughing out loud!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ FIVE-STAR AWARD-WINNING Readers' Favorite Book in 2022 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
" . . . a charming story with a great sense of humor, delightful animal characters, a strong love of gardening, a sweet romance, and a well-written murder mystery." ~ FIVE-STAR REVIEW FROM READERS' FAVORITE!
MORE BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Every Thorn Has Its Rose is the second novel in the Murder on the Vine Cozy Mystery series. Join Heather and Ant as they explore the seedy underworld of gardens, greenhouses, and six-figure roses in this 'unputdownable' murder mystery mixed in with just a dash of romance! Totally addictive, satisfyingly hearty, and really charming, this is a fast-paced plot filled with delicious red herrings to chew on. Don't miss out and pick up a copy today! Afterward, don't forget to read Book 1 April Showers Bring Dead Flowers!
*not a paranormal romance
ABOUT KRISTA:
Critically acclaimed and award-winning author Krista Lockheart writes irresistible cozy mysteries filled with humor and buzzworthy characters and plots. Her favorite activity is interacting with her readers from all over the world, and she enjoys their feedback and comments on her social media platforms. She loves good food, good conversation, and good books! Cooking is a passion, and she especially enjoys making pasta with vegetables. Chocolate, avocado, and seafood are her favorite foods to celebrate with.
Krista comes from an artistic background, and her art workshops sell out within a few hours of signup. Her work has earned cultural council grants and has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and on TV and on the radio.
In the past few months, her memoir, travel travels, and short stories were published four times in the Writer & Readers’ Magazine, and her travel tale about her expedition to Peru was the editorial feature in DRIFT Travel magazine.
She contributed a short story to a Halloween anthology and her debut novel was #1 in 12 categories on Amazon during its initial release (including in the Free Kindle Store and in new release categories).
It also earned five book awards including First Place at The BookFest in Humorous, a Second Place and Honorable Mention at The BookFest, a First-Place award from Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, and a Silver Award from Literary Titan, along with five star editorial reviews. It was recommended by US Review of Books, and the Chick-Lit Cafe, as well as featured in the Midwest Book Review.
To request additional review copies or an interview with Krista, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.
We look forward to the coverage!
APRIL SHOWERS BRING DEAD FLOWERS, a new cozy mystery series by Krista Lockheart
Book One of the Murder on The Vine Series
A new cozy mystery series by critically acclaimed author, Krista Lockheart
The book is published by Kira Seamon Books and is available worldwide in print and e-book format
There’s something growing in the garden . . . and it’s not a flower. A mystery is growing in the garden!
Greenhouse expert and horticulture Professor Heather Moore gets a new lease on life when she inherits her grandparents’ estate in New England.
The garden she loved as a child has seen better days, but she is determined to restore it to its former beauty with the help of her four-legged companions.
Knee deep in soil, Heather digs up an even bigger challenge—human remains. Since she discovered the remains, she should get to solve the case, right?
It will likely land her in harm's way with her family's legacy hanging in the balance.But as a gardener, she already knows all the dirt, she just needs to solve the puzzle.
To make matters worse, a fellow flower enthusiast, Lars Oslo, walks into her life at the worst time. He is the man of her dreams, there's no doubt about it, but can she juggle the case and a new romance?
April Showers Bring Dead Flowers is the first novel in the Murder on the Vine Mysteries series. A clean cozy mystery, with a sweet romance plot and hilarious, and loveable characters.
Perfect for chick-lit fans who enjoy funny, fast-paced plots. Don't miss out on this breakout novel that will leave you laughing out loud!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ FIVE-STAR AWARD-WINNING Readers' Favorite Book in 2022 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
" . . . a charming story with a great sense of humor, delightful animal characters, a strong love of gardening, a sweet romance, and a well-written murder mystery." ~ FIVE-STAR REVIEW FROM READERS' FAVORITE!
MORE BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Every Thorn Has Its Rose is the second novel in the Murder on the Vine Cozy Mystery series. Join Heather and Ant as they explore the seedy underworld of gardens, greenhouses, and six-figure roses in this 'unputdownable' murder mystery mixed in with just a dash of romance! Totally addictive, satisfyingly hearty, and really charming, this is a fast-paced plot filled with delicious red herrings to chew on. Don't miss out and pick up a copy today! Afterward, don't forget to read Book 1 April Showers Bring Dead Flowers!
*not a paranormal romance
ABOUT KRISTA:
Critically acclaimed and award-winning author Krista Lockheart writes irresistible cozy mysteries filled with humor and buzzworthy characters and plots. Her favorite activity is interacting with her readers from all over the world, and she enjoys their feedback and comments on her social media platforms. She loves good food, good conversation, and good books! Cooking is a passion, and she especially enjoys making pasta with vegetables. Chocolate, avocado, and seafood are her favorite foods to celebrate with.
Krista comes from an artistic background, and her art workshops sell out within a few hours of signup. Her work has earned cultural council grants and has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and on TV and on the radio.
In the past few months, her memoir, travel travels, and short stories were published four times in the Writer & Readers’ Magazine, and her travel tale about her expedition to Peru was the editorial feature in DRIFT Travel magazine.
She contributed a short story to a Halloween anthology and her debut novel was #1 in 12 categories on Amazon during its initial release (including in the Free Kindle Store and in new release categories).
It also earned five book awards including First Place at The BookFest in Humorous, a Second Place and Honorable Mention at The BookFest, a First-Place award from Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, and a Silver Award from Literary Titan, along with five star editorial reviews. It was recommended by US Review of Books, and the Chick-Lit Cafe, as well as featured in the Midwest Book Review.
To request additional review copies or an interview with Krista, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.
We look forward to the coverage!
