Barbara Pietron's Blog, page 6

Soulshifter Cover Reveal Monday, May 18th!

Here’s a little sneak peak at the cover art!

Meet Natalie from Soulshifter – Jack’s partner in his underworld quest.

Natalie is a sixteen-year-old petite brunette. Attractive, intelligent, and popular, she’s the class secretary and one of the best runners on the school track team.

What’s something a lot of people don’t know about you?

Well… I was born in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. I’ve lived here in Ketchton since I started kindergarten, so most people think I’ve lived here my entire life. But we also lived in Hong Kong for a year or so and then Gloucester before we moved to Michigan.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Last year I broke my high school’s record for women’s hurdles and brought home a divisional trophy. That was pretty awesome. And I worked hard for it.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Hmm… I’d have to say having a job that I love so it never seems like work, while also making enough money to support myself. And to be with someone who loves me for me and wants the same things I do.

W hich talent would you most like to have?

I’d really love to be able to draw. It’s not like I’m not creative, I mean, I can do arts and crafts kinda stuff. But if I have to sketch something, forget it. Especially people; I make stick people.

What qualities do you look for in a boyfriend?

Honest, trustworthy, loyal… do you see a pattern there? (laughs) Seriously though, I think it’s important to know someone really well before you sign up long term. Otherwise, when you find out they’re not exactly who you thought they were, it can get messy and hurtful.

It sounds like you speak from experience?

Yeah, my mom left when I was small. Once she realized my dad intended to stay in a suburban town she was out. I can’t say I exactly know what went on between them because my dad doesn’t like to talk about it, but it seems really unfair to just bail on your family.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

I can’t stand people who are fake. You know, someone who’s nice to your face because they want something from you, and then they go and say mean stuff about you to others. Or people who pretend to be your friend and then tell your secrets to others.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

Wow, off the top of my head, I’m going to say Indiana Jones. He’s awesome—he saves artifacts and people. I love watching those movies; they’re adventurous but funny too.

What real life people do you most admire?

People like Steve Jobs, or J.K. Rowling, or even Mark Zuckerberg. I admire people who have an idea and stick to their guns, even in the face of adversity, and make their dreams come true. I don’t aspire to change the world like those people, but I’d like to have that same kind of mindset and dedication.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Oh my gosh, I hate to admit it, but I use “cheese and crackers” as an expression, you know, like instead of swearing. My dad encouraged it when I was younger, but now I’m trying to break myself from saying it because it sounds so dumb!

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My temper. I can be pretty defensive, so sometimes I fly off the handle without thinking things through first. I’m better now than when I was a kid. Once I was old enough to get embarrassed for lashing out for no reason, I kinda calmed down.

Thank you Natalie!

Join me in Walled Lake!

To celebrate National Library Week I’ll be part of the Local Author Fair at the Walled Lake City Library on Saturday, April 18th from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. I’m planning a giveaway for signed books and an Amazon gift card, plus, the library will have balloons and their own giveaway too!

For more information, click here.

Interview with Jack Ironwood, main character in Soulshifter

Jack is a sixteen year old high school student who lives in western Michigan. His chestnut hair falls in loose curls that he likes to wear long and untamed, often hanging over his brown eyes. He’s most comfortable in worn jeans, a band t-shirt and canvas sneakers.

I’m sure everyone is wondering about the sect you belong to, so why don’t you tell us a little bit about it?

Sure. If more people know about it, hopefully it’ll cut down on the crazy rumors. It’s called the Racamedi Sect, named for the Italian scientist who studied transcendental abilities within family groups. His idea was to form a group of like-minded—and gifted—families to be sort of a support group for each other. Once people started getting together and organized, they realized we could try to help people and established the sect mission: “For the Betterment of Society”.

Transcendental? Can you expand on that?

Yeah, I guess transcendental is kind of an old-fashioned word, but I’ve heard it so many times it’s part of my vocabulary. Anyway, it really just means like spiritual or psychic abilities. You know, telekinesis, ESP, empaths… the kind of stuff you see on TV plus some things you probably never heard of. Unfortunately, a lot of people think we’re a bunch of freaks, but actually, most of us are regular people who happen to be able to do things most people can’t.

So what’s your ability?

Well, it’s one of the lesser known abilities, even though it’s fairly common within the sect. I’m a soulshifter, which means I can travel into the spirit world or underworld. Usually, I’m just looking for advice or guidance, so I spirit-walk—meaning it’s a mental journey. But I can actually cross to the other world physically too.

Is it a difficult thing to do?

(shrugs) Soulshifters have to be trained; I mean I have a mentor and stuff. Uh… hard or easy doesn’t really apply. It’s more about knowing the proper procedures so that you stay safe.

Let’s switch gears, how would you describe your family life?

Crowded. (laughs) But happy. There are four of us: mom, dad, and Jase—that’s my six-year-old brother—and we live in an old two-room farmhouse. I know my parents work hard to give us what they can. They expect me to work hard, too, in school and stuff, and to think for myself. Since I started high school, they’ve kind of stepped back and let me take the lead on my life, but they’re still always there if I need them.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I’m really into music so when I have time I like to play my guitar or listen to music—or both. I joined a band this summer, so a lot of my spare time now is spent rehearsing with the guys.

What are your hopes for the future?

(smiles) Since I doubt I’ll be a rock star, I want to be a high-level shifter. Like, I don’t want to do a mundane job and have this ability on the side. So I put a lot of effort in learning from my mentor and hope that I’ll eventually do important things. Maybe become a mentor, or even a sect elder.

What is your greatest fear?

Screwing up. Not being good enough. I’d like to think I was given this ability for a reason, so I feel like I should accomplish great things.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

To feel as confident in school as I do in the sect. When I ‘m at school, I mostly just try to go unnoticed. I don’t exactly feel like an outsider, but I also don’t feel like I fit in.

What qualities do you look for in a girlfriend?

Well… I’d like my girlfriend to know me and still like me anyway! I think it would be great if she was both my girlfriend and my best friend—someone I could share things with who would understand me.

Which famous person do you most admire?

I’d have to say Eddie Van Halen. I love his guitar style and he’s amazingly talented. He taught himself to play guitar and that was after teaching himself to play drums. When he was a kid, his mom made him take piano lessons, but he never really learned how to read music, he just played by example and by ear. I’d be stoked to have half his talent.

Thanks Jack!

Announcing the title of my new novel!

The title contest is over and the results are in. The final count was very close, but we do have a winner – Soulshifter!

I’m very happy with the title, it certainly suits the book, since Jack is a soulshifter.

The contest was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed people’s suggestions and found it interesting to see what kind of titles grab reader’s attention. Who knows? Maybe I’ll do it again. The Thunderstone sequel is currently untitled…

Interested? Let me know! Here, on Facebook, or my contact page.

Giveaway – two chances to win!

For all of you book lovers, I’m running two Valentine’s Day giveaways – one for my email subscribers and one for my Facebook fans. Both giveaways are for a signed copy of Thunderstone! If you’d like to get in on the fun you can:

Like my Facebook page and comment on my giveaway post

and/or

Join my email list

That’s it – just get your entry in before midnight Friday, February 13th!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The results are in! Time to vote!

Thanks to everyone who submitted a title suggestion! We couldn’t narrow it down to just four, so we have six winners from round one. The titles up for voting are:

The Descent

Soulshifter

Come Hell or High School

Into the Dark Realm

Shifting Worlds

Descent to the Dark Realm

Enter your favorite title in the comment section of this post or use the form on the Scribe Publishing website. I can’t wait to have a title for my new book!

Congratulations winners! Look for an email from me soon about receiving your free copy of the book.

Thanks again to all participants!

Two Holiday Gifts for You!

First, the Kindle edition of Thunderstone is free for a limited time!

You can get it here:

http://www.amazon.com/Thunderstone-Barb…/…/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2…

Feel free to share this gift with friends and family!

Second, here’s a holiday Thunderstone tune!

Mishebeshu the Mythic Monster

(Sung to Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer)

Mishebeshu the mythic monster,

Had copper horns and cat-like ears,

He lived under the water,

Preying on the human’s fears.

All of the local shamans,

Knowing they must do something,

Trapped the beast in a cavern,

A time of peace did they bring.

Then one fateful summer day,

Jeni came to town,

Her spirit and an artifact,

Freed the monster to attack.

So that’s when Ice found Jeni,

With the help of the shaman,

Jeni vanquished the monster,

Now everyone is safe again!

Best wishes and happy reading in the New Year!

Help Me Title My New Novel! (And win the book before it’s in stores!)

My goal as an author is to bring my readers along on my writing adventures. My current endeavor is titling my newest novel that’s scheduled for release in 2015. An online search of the working title found way too many hits – it’s been overused and I need something unique. I thought it would be fun to let my readers in on the action, so I’m running a contest.

Participants will suggest a title for the book based on the cover summary below. (If you’re on my mailing list, this is the sneak peek you got a couple weeks ago.) Keep in mind, a title should fit the story, but it also needs to stand out; to beg the potential reader to take a look. My publisher and I will pick our top four favorite titles – those four people will win a signed copy of the book hot off the presses and before it’s for sale in stores! Then we will post the top four titles so everyone can vote for their favorite. The person who suggested the winning title will get a mention in the book!

You can submit your suggestion in the comment section of this post or use this form at the Scribe Publishing website. I’ll be sure to add you to my email list so you’ll be updated on the progress of the contest and the book.

The contest will run through January 31st, 2015

Here’s the summary:

Sixteen-year-old Jack Ironwood knew exactly what he wanted. Until he got it.

Jack was content to stay unnoticed by pretty and popular track-star, Natalie Segetich, until her best friend Emma disappears. Natalie swears something took Emma, and though most people write Natalie off as traumatized and confused, Jack is a soulshifter and he knows the human-stealing Enuuki—hell’s messengers—are real.

As a soulshifter, Jack can cross into the underworld so he sees Emma’s rescue as an opportunity to prove himself a valuable member of his transcendental sect—and a way to secure a future otherwise out of his reach. Although he needs Natalie’s help to prepare for the mission, Jack intends to go to the underworld alone. But as a viable plan takes shape, it’s clear the best chance of success means Natalie must accompany him.

On the eve of the quest, when Jack is promised the hand of a respected elder’s daughter—a dream come true—he realizes he’s no longer sure what he wants. But it’s too late to back out, not with the sect and Natalie counting on him. Pursued by the dark lord’s henchmen and ghastly mutant creatures, Jack and Natalie struggle to come out ahead in a battle and barter for souls. In the end, Jack will have to decide his own fate, because nothing short of a deal with the devil will get all three of them out of hell alive.

Kick your imagination into gear! I know there are a lot of good ideas out there!

Heart of Ice Teasers

These are some of the things I researched while writing Heart of Ice:

Star Island – located in Cass Lake (northern Minnesota). On the island is Lake Windigo – the only spring-fed lake on an island in a river-fed lake in the northern hemisphere. Surely this must be a mystic place!

Steel jaw traps – used to trap animals. I watched a Youtube video on how they work and then researched the kind of injuries a human might sustain if they stepped into a trap accidentally.

Hypothermia – what it feels like to be hypothermic and recover from hypothermia, as well as treatment for the condition.

Intrigued?

Go to www.scribe-publishing.com/ice and download the free Ebook!