Devika Fernando's Blog, page 85

Authors Blog Tour - A New Approach

Marie Lavender tagged me in this new kind of blog tour for authors, and it looks like fun. This is a spin-off of the Writing Process Blog Tour (my post for that can be found here). Basically, this is about introducing the writer who tagged you, answering a few questions about yourself and your writing, and tagging more authors to keep the train going. Here's Marie Lavender's post. Before I ramble about myself, here's a quick look at the wonderful author friend who tagged me:

Marie Lavender
Bestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 18 other books. 2014 BTS Red Carpet Review Nominee. Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.

Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands.  Marie has published nineteen books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Lavender just released Magick & Moonlight, a paranormal romance, in March. Upon Your Honor, released in late April, is her second historical romance. Feel free to visit her website at http://marielavender.webs.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

A list of her books and pen names are as follows:

Marie Lavender: Upon Your Return; Magick & Moonlight; Upon Your Honor
Erica Sutherhome: Hard to Get; Memories; A Hint of Scandal; Without You; Strange Heat; Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; A Touch of Dawn; Ransom; Leather and Lace
Kathryn Layne: A Misplaced Life
Heather Crouse: Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things

Q&A Sessions
1) If you were beginning your writing career today, what would you do differently?

I’d allow myself even more time to read all kinds of tips, soak up advice, and get more familiar with social media apart from Facebook. Also, I’d send out review copies of my debut earlier, and I’d start networking with authors before the release of my first book. That all boils down to promotion, I think.

2) What’s the one thing about you that might surprise readers?

Hm… probably that I’m an introvert. I might be considered a social (media) butterfly, make friends easily and network actively, but when it comes down to it, I’d rather stay safely inside my snail’s house (or behind the computer). Crowds, public appearances and conversations face-to-face or over the phone are totally not my cup of tea.

3) Tell us a little about your main character in your latest book.

Felicia from my new release “Playing with Fire” is a young woman who has hidden her true self for most of her life. She isn’t close to her family and has no friends, but meeting Joshua opens her eyes. Felicia realizes that there are so many possibilities because of her fire magic, and she starts flirting with danger. As a heroine, she is strong and short-tempered, passionate and stubborn. I love it how courageous she ultimately becomes.

4) What are some of your favourites?

- Colour: blue and purple
- Food: pizza and chocolate
- Place: nature or a book

Tagging Participants for the Blog Tour
And here are the people I’m tagging. Please upload your post within a month,and tag others to join the bandwagon. If I haven’t mentioned you but you’d love to be part of it, feel free to do so.

Tea Cooper
Téa Cooper lives in a stone cottage on one hundred acres of bushland, just outside the nineteenth century village of Wollombi, NSW Australia. When she isn't writing, Téa can be found haunting the local museum or chatting to the locals, who offer a never-ending source of inspiration. Both Lily’s Leap and Matilda’s Freedom are set in and around Wollombi.
In October, Jazz Baby, a 1920s rags to riches story set in Sydney will be released and in February, Forgotten Fragrance, Book I of a family saga entitled From the Ocean to the Outback. At the moment she is working on a parallel time-line series called The Adventures of Miss Abigail Wynter. She has also written three contemporary romances.

Personal Links:
Website: www.teacooperauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeaCooper
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeaCooper1
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/teacooperauthor
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/teacooperauthor/

Christina Cole
Christina Cole will always be grateful to her grandfather who patiently held her on his lap and taught her to read. He also told her stories of his own childhood and stirred her imagination with scenes from days gone by. From him, she developed not only a love of words and story-telling, but a deep appreciation for history and a longing to learn more about the past.
Today, she still loves reading, and loves sharing her own stories about men and women and the romance of an earlier time.
Her romantic stories have been published online and in print, and she's also published inspirational pieces, poetry, and essays.
She is happily married to the love of her life, and lives a simple, uncomplicated life in a small mid-western town.

She always love to hear from readers! Her email is CCole@christinacoleromance.com. She also has an author page on Facebook, "Christina Cole's Love Notes". Readers can visit her blog at Christina Cole Romance (christinacoleromance.com) or check her out at Goodreads. Please follow her on Twitter, too, @KCChristinacole

Adite Banerjie
Adite Banerjie is a screenwriter and published author. Growing up in a home with a filmmaker dad who worked in the world's largest film industry (yes, Bollywood!) and a voracious reader for a mom, it was inevitable she would fall in love with both films and books.
She turned to fiction writing after a fulfilling and exciting career as a business journalist. When she penned her first romantic short story, she won the Harlequin India Passions Aspiring Authors Contest (2012). Her debut title, The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal, based on the winning short story, was released in December 2013 in India. The e-book is available internationally (from June 2014). Her second title (Trouble Has a New Name) is now available in paperback (India) and as an e-book globally.
Adite lives in Greater Noida, near New Delhi, with her writer husband. She would be delighted to hear from her readers at http://www.aditebanerjie.com
https://www.facebook.com/AditeBanerjieWriter
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7083664.Adite_Banerjie

Featured: A Summer's Enchantment by Kathleen Ann Gallagher

I love books, and I love music - one of the reasons why I couldn't resist spotlighting this exciting new release by author Kathleen Ann Gallagher. Here's a virtual drum roll (or guitar riff) for "A Summer's Enchantment".
A Summer's Enchantment by Kathleen Ann Gallagher About the Book
Blurb

Cassandra Wales, an independent and determined registered nurse finds her plans for the future shattered when her boyfriend dumps her.  Her witchcraft made him squirm and she wasn’t changing for him. The move into her new home keeps her distracted, but she’ll be sure to keep an eye out for red flags next time.  When an elderly woman shows up at her doorstep and makes an odd request, she comes face to face the woman’s hot and sexy grandson.  He convinces her to come to see his band play. Will she be able to trust a man who has women begging for his attention?

Jake Hill is an ambitious, up and coming lead singer in a rock band. When his grandmother asks him to take her over to her first home, he doesn’t question her motives. Instead, he meets the woman of his dreams. Will she stick around while he climbs the ladder in the exciting world of a rock star?

How will Jake find the time to nurture a relationship when his music takes top billing? Can the passion between them be enough to lead the way, or will fear of failure take control of their destiny?


Excerpt

She got up and slowly moved toward him. Her chest tightened with each step. As she approached him and admired his broad shoulders, it dawned on her he could be a candidate for People’s sexiest man alive. Control yourself.
“I’m happy here,” she admitted. “I love it when the morning light shines on the water and it mimics fine pieces of crystal.”
Rob slowly approached her. His gaze fixed on her, sent shivers from head to toe. Afraid of what might happen next, she turned away. They were too close for comfort. An electric energy surged between them.
Before she could stop him, Rob reached for her and pulled her up against his chest. “You’re an amazing woman, Savannah.” His lips met hers and he cradled her head in his hands as if she was a precious jewel. It all happened so quickly, she didn’t have time to react.


Buy Link
http://bit.ly/1mV4VKu

Night Magic by Kathleen Ann Gallagher About the Author
Kathleen lives in New Jersey with her husband and their two dogs. She’s a registered nurse who works in an emergency room. Writing has been her passion since she was a young girl. Contemporary and paranormal romance are her favorites. She has three adult children and three lovable grandsons. Her favorite romantic getaway is Cape May, New Jersey. You might find Kathleen on a beach down the Jersey Shore, wearing a straw hat, sipping on an iced tea, dreaming up her next romance novel.

Blog http://kathleensplacetoreflect.blogspot.com/?zx=a7245435c3267ac9
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.a.gallagher
Website http://www.kathleenanngallagher.net/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Kathleenwrites
Author page https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKathleenAnnGallagher
Google https://plus.google.com/u/0/117606070036565136137/posts

Cover Reveal: A Hint of Cayenne by Decadent Kane

I'm a sucker for gorgeous book covers, and as such I love all the covers for Decadent Kane's books in the series "Trouble with Elves". Doing a happy dance here because I am part of the cover reveal for her latest masterpiece. Ladies and gents, here's the fantastic "A Hint of Cayenne"!
A Hint of Cayenne by Decadent Kane
Isn't it fabulous? Because I adore the other covers just as much, here they are. Click on the picture, and enjoy 50 % discount for each of the three eBooks during August!

And as "all good things go by three", here's another feast for your eyes. The print edition will be out soon, full of elven goodness.
Coming Soon!

Book Club Blog Tour: Interview with Sundari Venkatraman

Ask the Author - 10 questions with Sundari Venkatraman
Hi Devika, thank you for this interview. It’s great to be on your blog J

What do you like most and least about being a writer?
What I like most is the thought of playing God; create characters and make them dance to my tunes. I just love it. I feel a powerful sense of freedom that their lives will work out the way I want and not like reality (where a lot of negativity happens). This is also probably the reason why I love penning romances.
I can’t think of anything I don’t like about being a writer.

Is there one particular person who has inspired you to write or shown the most support?
As I have mentioned before, writing came to me like a bolt from the blue. I am an avid reader of Mills & Boon romances and Georgette Heyer. I can say that these books have inspired me to pen romances. It’s my husband Venkat who has supported me throughout my hare-brained ideas. He never ever thought it strange that I was determined to make a success of a career that went nowhere in 13 years. He is again the least surprised that my books are selling like hotcakes. He always believed that I will make my dream come true - more than me.

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?
Getting the cover right - it was a task. I had three different artists do it, paying through my nose every time. I personally rejected the first cover, while the second was rejected by a number of reviewers. Thank God, the present one has found favour with a lot of people. Otherwise, the actual writing was a breeze.

Do you have any writing rituals?
Nothing specific. I write whenever I please while there have been a couple of times (I wish there were more of these), I have felt the urge to put something to paper or computer as the scene refuses to let go of me. I remember getting up at 3 am one night and writing a scene before getting back to sleep at 5.30 am. It had to be done as my head was buzzing.

If you had to cast an actor and actress as the hero and heroine from "Meghna", who would it be?
Ranbir Kapoor and Tamannaah Bhatia

Please share your views on self-publishing with us.
I think it’s a fantastic platform for authors. What one needs to keep in mind is getting the editing/proofing done perfectly. Formatting is not that difficult. Then of course, there’s the cover. Once all that is taken care of, it’s a breeze until you get to marketing. You need to remember that there’s no publishing house backing you. If you are good at marketing, nothing like it. Social media is a great help here. Otherwise, it’s best to get professionals to market your book.

What is the most important character trait the hero and the heroine should possess?
Honesty is a very important trait I need in my protagonists. I also like successful people who are go-getters. Even if they are not so in the beginning, they should be so by the end of the story.

Do you have any advice for (aspiring) authors?
Keep writing. Blogging is a great platform to create a fan following. Send your work to publishing houses and never be fazed by rejections. If you have a story to tell and your language is good, you definitely have an audience out there.

In your latest release, "Meghna", the Indian hero leaves for England after his studies, and you describe his life there and the NRIs really well. Is there any other country you’d like to write about?
I would love to write about all the countries in the world. But practically, I would love to write about South Africa.

What are you currently working on?
I am rewriting my next novel “The Runaway Bridegroom” to be published on Amazon in September 2014. I am also writing short stories for my anthology “Cupid Strikes” which will be published by the end of the year.

Meghna by Sundari Venkatraman About the Book
The young and dashing Rahul Sinha lives in England with his parents, Shyam and Rajni. He is an only son of the rich banker. Rahul is totally attached to his father but does not care for his mother. Read the book to find out why…. 

Rahul is exulted with his efforts at work paying off and plans a holiday with his best friend Sanjay Srivastav who lives in Mumbai with his wife Reema, kids Sanya and Rehaan and most importantly, his sister, Meghna. Rahul recalls meeting Meghna just before they parted six years ago. 

Meghna works for a website and also teaches modern dance as she loves it. She’s thrown for a toss when Rahul comes visiting. She had thought he had forgotten them. 

But how could Rahul do that? Sanjay’s his best friend and Rahul had always treated their home as his own. Sanjay’s mother had been more of a mother to Rahul than his own. Rahul had stayed away after moving to England or so Meghna believes. 

Thus begins the story between Rahul and Meghna, the teasing, the flirting, the anger, the tears… …will they find love? 

A FRIENDLY WARNING: This book has been written only for the purpose of Entertainment, Entertainment, Entertainment! If you are looking to learn something or improve your lives after reading this work, then this book is not for you. I am not trying to get into competition with the Author Biggies of this world. I wrote this simply for the fun and joy of it. One thing I can promise the reader though: Well proof-read, perfect language that I feel is very important for every book that's written in any tongue. 

Yours truly,
Sundari Venkatraman

About the Author
Even as a kid, she absolutely loved the 'lived happily ever after' syndrome as Sundari grew up reading all the fairy tales she could lay her hands on, Phantom comics, Mandrake comics and the like. It was always about good triumphing over evil and a happy end. Soon, into her teens, she switched her attention from fairy tales to Mills & Boon. While she loved reading both of these, she kept visualising what would have happened if there were similar situations happening in India; to a local hero and heroine.

Her imagination took flight and she always lived in a rosy cocoon of romance over the years. Then came the writing - a true bolt out of the blue! She could never string two sentences together. While her spoken English had always been excellent - thanks to her Grandpa - she could not write to save her life. She was bad at writing essays in both school and college. Later, when it was time to teach her kids, she could manage everything from Science to Mathematics and History & Geography.

When it came to writing compositions, her kids found her of no help at all. All this changed suddenly one fine day in the year 2000. She had just quit her job at a school's office and did not know what to do with her life. She was saturated with simply reading books. That's when she got home one evening after her walk and took some sheets of paper and began writing. It was like watching a movie that was running in her head - all those years of visualising Indian heroes and heroines needed an outlet and had to be put into words. That's how her first novel, The Malhotra Bride, took shape.

While she felt discouraged when publishing did not happen, it was her husband who kept encouraging her not to give up. There was no looking back after that. While publishing took a long time happening, Sundari continued to write novels and then short stories. Her luck turned when Indireads approached her to write for them and Double Jeopardy was born.

Now it’s all about self-publishing her books on Amazon. She has published The Malhotra Bride (2nd Edition) and Meghna so far while planning to publish her fourth book - The Runaway Bridegroom -  in September 2014. 

Goodreads Link https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22840533-meghna?from_search=true

Buying Links

Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KUPUURS
Amazon.in http://www.amazon.in/dp/B00KUPUURS
Amazon.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KUPUURS
Amazon.ca http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00KUPUURS
Amazon.com.au http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00KUPUURS

Get in Touch

Author Website http://sundarivenkatraman.blogspot.in/
Twitter https://twitter.com/sundarivenkat
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSundariVenkatraman
Author Goodreads Page https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22444225-meghna

Featured: 'Outback Hearts' by Susan Stoker

I've always loved stories that take place in Australia, whether they're about Aussies or not. There's just something about Down Under that adds magic to the books. Hence, I'm mighty pleased that I can spotlight "Outback Hearts" by American author Susan Stoker on my blog today. A round of applause please!
Outback Hearts by Susan Stoker About the Book
Blurb

Sam never thought she’d actually be chosen for a reality show--but next thing she knew, she was whisked away to Australia. Dealing with a producer willing to do whatever he had to do make the show a hit, other women ready to cheat and lie to gain the attention of the bachelor, and a camera operator ready to catch her at her worst every time she turned around, absolutely nothing was as simple as it seemed on TV. Not to mention the pigs, killer snakes and shoveling manure. Sam wasn’t sure she was going to make it through filming most days--never mind find true love.

Alex never thought he’d be on a reality show, but how hard could being surrounded by beautiful women be? A lot harder than he’d thought. The producer changed the rules of the show behind his back, the women were nearly clawing at each other for this attention--and that one contestant he couldn’t get off his mind…

Can two people who are meant to be together manage to fight the catty contestants, crazy producer and find true love on a reality show in the Australian Outback?


Excerpt

Sam went to sit at one of the tables until they had to load up the bus. As she was walking toward a table she saw Henry approaching her. Sam veered a bit to meet him. She’d liked the gruff cowboy. He’d made the first day of mucking out the stables pretty fun. Sam put her hands in her back pockets as they approached each other.
“Hey, Sammi!” Henry said with a drawl. “You look like shit,” he continued with no remorse.
Sam laughed as she was sure he meant her to. “Thanks, you sure know how to soothe my ego a bit.”
“No, really, you look worn to the bone. What time you finished up today?” he asked her.
“You’ll never guess.” Sammi grinned up at him, avoiding directly answering his question.
Henry raised his brows while waiting expectantly for her to answer.
“Let’s just say I’m starving because I didn’t make dinner,” Sam told him with a grin, not about to go into the details about why she hadn’t gotten to eat.
Henry put his head back and laughed. “Damn, that’s bad luck! Why’d it take so long?
Sam’s smile dimmed a bit. Not wanting to answer him, she skirted around his question and instead simply said, “I’ll be glad not to see another barn for a while.” She ran her hand through her hair, brushing it back off her face.
Henry suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.
“Wha…” Sam got out as she flinched in surprise. What did she really know about this cowboy after all?
Alex watched Sammi out of the corner of his eye as the other women said their goodbyes. He didn’t know why it bothered him to see her smile at one of the cowboys, but he knew he was irritated. His mood only grew worse when he saw the cowboy throw his head back and laugh at something Sammi said. He’d just finished saying the correct meaningless goodbye words to Kiki when he saw the ranch hand grab Sammi by the wrist. Without a second thought he was striding across the yard to where Sammi stood.
“What in the hell did you do?!?” Henry rasped as he turned Sam’s hand over to look at her palm. Sam tried to tug her hand away from him.
“Let me go,” Sam said firmly. Henry gripped her wrist even more firmly.
“Not until you explain this,” Henry said gruffly, trying to pull her toward him so he could get a better look at her palm.
“She said to let go of her,” a deep voice said from behind them. Henry dropped her hand and they both turned to see Alex standing a few feet from them.
“You okay?” he asked Sam, shifting so his body was between her and the cowboy. Alex didn’t know what was going on, but he wasn’t going to allow this guy to touch her without her permission again. Alex didn’t even take the time to think about what he just thought. He’d never been the possessive, alpha type, but Sammi somehow brought it out in him. 
Sam tucked her hand back in her jeans pocket and said, “Yup, I’ve got to get on the bus…”
“You won’t until I find out what the hell just happened here,” Alex told her with a glare. He turned his eyes to Henry. “If you want to keep your job you’d better start explaining.”
Henry answered immediately and calmly, “She’s hurt, I was trying to look at her hand.” He’d seen Alex around a bit and knew that his bark was worse than his bite. Suppressing a smile, knowing that this woman seemed to have gotten under his skin, he nodded at Sam and said, “Look for yourself.”
Both men turned to see Sam backing away from them, hands still out of sight. “They’re all waiting for me…I have to go,” she stammered, almost tripping over herself trying to get away. “It was nice to meet you, Henry,” Sam said, still backing away.
Alex came toward her as if he was a predator stalking his prey. “Give me your hand,” he ordered, holding out his own.
“It’s not a big deal, Al,” Sam tried to explain, “it’s just a blister from working today, I’m sure that all the others have them too…”
Alex stepped close enough to take her by the upper arm and stop her retreat.
“It’s a bit more than that, hon,” Henry said. “I’ll leave you to deal with her,” he told Al as he turned around to go back to the barn.
“Damn,” Sam muttered under her breath, not believing how Henry had thrown her under the proverbial bus when it came to Alex.
“You know you’re going to make my life miserable by giving me this attention, don’t you?” Sam tried to reason with Alex. “They’re okay, it’s not life threatening. Just let me go…please?”
“I can’t let you go knowing that you might be hurt,” Alex told her honestly. “What kind of man would I be if I just let you walk away right now knowing you were in pain and I didn’t do anything about it?” Alex stared into Sammi’s eyes, trying desperately to make her understand that he wanted to help her, that he needed to help her.

Buy Link Amazon

Author Susan Stoker About the Author
Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She is quite the romantic and even met the love of her life on "Hotmail classified" before online dating and sites like match.com even existed!
Susan has been reading romance novels since middle school and once crossed out the names of the main characters in a book and changed them to her own and to the name of her crush. She's been writing scenes for years, developing her unique writing style.
Susan loves writing but her true passion is adopting dogs from rescue groups and shelters. Susan and her husband have had a total of nine "rescued" dogs since 2000 including a variety of basset hounds and bloodhounds. She has recently branched out and adopted a basset/terrier mix who acts more like a terrier than a basset (i.e. digging, eating a couch and being hyper).


Discover other titles by Susan Stoker

Beyond Reality Series:
Outback Hearts
Flaming Hearts
Frozen Hearts (coming Sept 2014)


Connect with Susan Online:

Susan’s Facebook Profile and Page:

www.facebook.com/authorsstoker

www.facebook.com/authorsusanstoker

Follow Susan on Twitter:

Susan_Stoker

Find Susan’s Books on Goodreads

www.goodreads.com/SusanStoker

Teaser Thursday: Get to know Book 3 of the 4 Elements of Love Series

Book 1 of the 4 Elements of Love series - Playing with Fire
Book 2 of the 4 Elements of Love series - In Deep Water
Book 3 of the 4 Elements of Love series - Like Nothing on Earth

All novels can be read as a stand-alone with a different set of characters and a happy end. The first book is available online, I have written four chapters on the second book, and the third book is forming in my head at the moment. Here's the blurb to entice you. Like Nothing on Earth (paranormal romance) Like Nothing on Earth
Beware of the jungle – it can bring out the beast in you!

Little does Eva know how drastically her life will change when she joins an expedition into the last uncharted rainforest of South America. As she winds her way into the dark heart of the jungle alongside fascinating, handsome David and ambitious, cold-hearted Arnold, the horrors and the magic unfold. Sleepless nights, strange transformations and a deadly attack have Eva on edge. When they discover a hidden civilization, it is time to decide: Should she fight for their safety, discover her true nature or give in to love?

Featured: Solstice Surprise by Kellie Kamryn

I'm a huge fan of paranormal and supernatural books, so I'm really happy I can feature "Solstice Surprise" by Kellie Kamryn on my blog today. The author will draw a lucky winner to receive a copy of her novel, so make sure to leave a comment!
Solstice Surprise by Kellie Kamryn About the Book
Blurb

Destiny is never what you imagine.
Kayla Webber had been training to fight for the Light her entire life. Demons she could handle, but she'd been ill-prepared to come face to face with the man who haunted her dreams.
The time has come for Kaleb Warner to fulfill his shared destiny with Kayla. There's just one problem - she didn't realize he even existed.
Will Kaleb be able to convince Kayla to combine their gifts to fight against the Darkness, or will this star-crossed couple deny the truth in their hearts?


Excerpts

Excerpt 1:

When they reached the creek edge which ran through the property where Kaleb lived they stopped, huffing and puffing from their efforts. Kayla glanced at Kaleb and he nodded. In silence, they picked up skipping stones, and proceeded to skim them across the water.
Did Dawn ever tell you the kissing hand story? Kayla directed her thoughts into Kaleb’s head.
Kaleb threw a rock into the middle of the creek, watching the ensuing splash, counting the ripples. Curious, he tilted his head and nodded at Kayla to continue.
Marabel said that when we have to leave people we can kiss their hand and then they carry our love with them.
Intrigued, Kaleb squinted at his friend. Really?
Kayla nodded. Uh-huh.
Does it work?
Marabel said so. She wouldn’t lie.
Kaleb sighed. I don’t want you to leave.
Kayla shrugged. I have to some times. So do you. We always come back.
Kaleb hung his head. I know. But I don’t like it when you’re gone.
Me neither. Kayla threw a rock as hard as she could to see how far it would go. She nodded in satisfaction when it almost reached the other side of the creek. Marabel keeps telling me I have things to learn. I don’t know what she means.
Something about work. Kaleb’s voice grumbled inside her head.
That’s all the grown-ups talk about—work, Love, Light. Kayla tilted her face up to the sun, eyes closed, absorbing the heat into her skin. I just wanna fly!
I know you do. Kaleb chuckled inside her head. One day.
Kayla opened her eyes, and threw herself at Kaleb, wrapping her tiny arms around him. He squeezed her tight in return.
Here. Kayla broke their embrace and took hold of Kaleb’s left hand. Lifting his palm to her lips, she placed a smooshy little girl kiss in the centre. I love you.
Kaleb did the same to her hand. I love you, Kayla.
She grinned. I know.

Excerpt 2:

With matted hair as black as night, facial features twisted in an evil grin, eyes glowing red, a demon reached out a claw, poking the invisible force field with a jagged fingertip, causing a crackling sound to permeate the air.
“How long do you think this will hold?” he rasped before breaking out in maniacal laughter.
Kayla snorted in derision. Shadow, or the darkness that resided in all human beings, was full of clichés—night battles that fed into the fears of the human mind, ugly demons laughing like crazed maniacs.
“Long enough for me to kill you,” she quipped, wondering why she’d be faced with the likes of him since she’d been told tonight would be special. She’d battled worse during training. What’s the deal here?
He cocked his head to the side. “They send a little girl to fight me, and she hides behind magic.”
“Kiss my—” Wait a minute. There had been two pops which meant two demons. Where is he? Her intuition sensed someone behind her. Whirling on the spot, she sent out an extra energy burst to strengthen her shield.
Her heart pounded in her chest. “You!” She blinked in disbelief, her power wavering, shield faltering. It can’t be!
“Yes,” he growled. “Damn it . . . Hold your shield!”
Surprised by his command, Kayla sent another burst of energy from her hands. Taking in his bald head, smooth visage, and average height, her glance flicked over his black, fitted T-shirt, black jeans, and combat boots. She gulped, heart beating in an erratic rhythm. She stared into his eyes; eyes she’d seen in her dreams since she was a child. Kaleb.
“Better,” he muttered. “I thought you were prepared for this.”
His grumpy attitude got her back up. “I am prepared for him,” she retorted. “I wasn’t prepared for you. What are you doing…?” The energy bubble faltered along with her voice.
“Can we talk about this later?” he snapped, gesturing toward the demon still in front of her. “You’ve got a job to do!”
“You can’t save her!” the demon barked.          
Kaleb peered around Kayla to address the demon. “It’s not my job to save her.”
The less than thrilled tone of his voice irritated Kayla. My hero. She stared at him again. I don’t believe it. In her visions, she and Kaleb had trained together. They’d had many conversations about anything and everything. She remembered other lifetimes with him where they were warriors, or children, or lovers. What was he doing here? She sent a plea to the Lord and Lady he wasn’t a demon and she had to kill him.
“I’m not a demon,” he stated, his mouth set in a grim line.
“Then how—”
“Later.” He waved a hand in front of her. “Aren’t you supposed to be a little too busy right now to talk?”
In an attempt to ignore him, she turned away from him, and focused her attention on the demon. He’s right. No time to figure this out now. She’d meditate on it later.
With a swift, practiced movement, Kayla plucked a blade from the waist band of her skirt and flicked the knife at him, hitting him square between the eyes.
The demon screamed, stumbling back, clutching at the weapon embedded in his forehead.  With a roar, he ripped the blade out of his flesh, a sickening squelch accompanying the motion.
Kayla swallowed hard. Mortal weapons couldn’t defeat a supernatural being of his nature. They were only meant to slow down the demon until she could use her power on him. Stay calm. You can do this. However, Kaleb’s presence had her questioning her ability to handle the situation. Is this a test? She straightened her spine. Test or no test, she had a job to do.
Tossing the blade to the side, the monster swiped at her with elongated claws. A zing resounded in the still night air as he penetrated the shield in front of her.
“Stay strong!” Kaleb ordered.
Grimacing, Kayla arched back, reaching for a dagger hidden inside her right boot. Brandishing the weapon, she ducked under the paw swipe of the demon, then drove the blade into his abdomen.
A screech rent the air as she withdrew the blade, and sliced open his thigh. The demon dropped to one knee, clutching at his wounds.
“Are you done slicing and dicing?” Kaleb growled from behind her.
Who the hell does he think he is? “A little help would be nice,” she muttered.
“This isn’t my fight.”


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Kellie Kamryn About the Author
Award-winning author Kellie Kamryn is a retired elite gymnast and competitive coach. These days she is captain of her crew of four wearing many a hat: chauffeur, cook, maid, and arm chair psychologist, although her favorite title, and the one she answers to most, is “Mom”. Even with her busy life, she creates time for Baguazhang training twice a week, a challenging martial art form. While her friends would describe her as sweet, her readers know she’s got a sassy side, and with fourteen books and one anthology to her credit since 2011, most days she can be found channeling her sass into writing stories and poetry that sweep readers away into other worlds. When her muse requires a break, she channels her creative energy into bringing many a tale to life through her work as a narrator.

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Teaser Tuesday: Excerpts from "Playing with Fire"

Time for another snippet from my latest release - or wait, make that 2 snippets! Here's another taste of "Playing with Fire" (4 Elements of Love, Book 1):
When Fire falls in love with Ice, the possibilities are endless. Excerpt 1 - More about Felicia
There was a wall of fire blocking her exit.
Felicia knew she could escape it unharmed, but what about the child clinging to her, coughing and crying, choking and trembling so hard her own body shook along with the movement?
She turned to the window, biting her lip.
To jump or not to jump?
By now, the air was filled with dense, coiling smoke and unrelenting heat melting the wallpaper. The child’s screams had stopped, leaving behind a frightening silence, cloaking the fire’s rage and for the first time making her afraid.
What happened next was a blur, a succession of movement that seemed to involve somebody else and not her.
Shielding the child, a lifeless lump with its weight doubled, she faced the flames. All of a sudden, she knew what to do.
Raising herself to her full height and thinking of her dragon, she stared into the fire and whispered a fierce command.
“Let me through.”
For a moment, there was no reaction, and she bit her lip again, so hard that the salty, metallic taste of blood mingled with the smoke. She squared her shoulders, exerted pressure to radiate her own wild heat, drew a deep breath and shouted, “Let me through!”
The impossible happened.
The flames withdrew on themselves ever so slightly, parting with obvious reluctance to create a small opening in the curtain of fire. Within moments, she had hurled herself through and along the passage, nearly tripping while navigating the half-burned-away staircase. To her right and left, flames touched her arms and legs, but no other wall of fire blocked her way. She shot out of the gaping, fire-filled hole that had once been a solid, locked front door, like a bullet from the mouth of a (more than) smoking gun.
Her legs carried her farther and farther, and then no more.
Everything went blissfully blank.

Excerpt 2 - More about Joshua
“What happened?”
She had lowered her voice to a whisper, sitting on the literal edge of her seat, sensing the distress he always hid so masterly.
“The power nearly got the better of me. It turned me into a…a monster, something not human anymore. Some male ice queen of sorts that wanted to bring terror to the world, and cause eternal winter, and bury all the humans under snow. I could have been a picture-perfect villain.”
His gaze flickered to her face and away, sparkling with nearly white blue.
When he didn’t go on, she asked timidly, “What pulled you out of it?”
After a long moment of silence that stretched and stretched, Joshua replied, “Animals. They, as a part of nature, shunned me, suspected me. Some fled, others attacked, but all of them showed me I was something not meant to be, not part of the circle of life. Somehow, I found the strength to resist, to rediscover myself within the magic. It’s what you might also have to face one day. Remember not to lose yourself, whatever happens.”
She got up and turned to him, magically drawn in by his words and voice and the power he radiated.
“I have you to teach me now, don’t I? Nothing will go wrong.”

Conveying a message in your story: yes or no?

I often stumble upon one question among the writing community: It is okay if I include a message in my book? While I understand the reason for asking, I have a bit of a problem with those who answer with a “no”. In my opinion, you can’t NOT include one, because writing a story automatically leads to you conveying a certain thing, be it directly, indirectly or both.

Utopian or dystopian? Scenario 1: The message is a key element
In some genres, it’s all about the message / the motifs. Take science-fiction, for example. The way you portray your world, the quest your heroes are sent on, and the criticism or outlook on the future is your message. So, make sure you know what you’re telling between the lines. If the earth has been destroyed 100 years from now, what does that say about the present state of things? If your protagonists search space for another inhabitable planet or battle hostile forces with spaceships, doesn’t that leave a message behind? You speak of destruction, disillusionment, desolation, despair, or on the other hand of hope, of a sense of adventure and conquering, of us not being alone in space, of the triumph of modern technology, of the feats of science.

Let’s not forget about fairytales, fables and stories for children. There’s a lesson to teach, a "light bulb moment" to induce. If you ask at the end of the book or tale "What’s the moral of the story?" the child or reader needs to be able to answer that clearly. Often the message will be that the good triumph over the bad, that lies will get you in trouble, and that knowledge and intelligence are of great help.

To some extent, this holds true for YA (Young Adult) fiction, too. Young adults are going through a phase in life where they want to find themselves, rebuild their existence, lay claim on the future and find a goal to pursue. No wonder there is so much idealism, so much conflict and so much loneliness found in YA books. The message is an essential part of the novel, it’s the leitmotif, the theme spanning over a book or whole series. Mostly, you need to convey a sense of victory, of personal strength and / or strength in numbers.

The message: the "Easter egg" of the story Scenario 2: The message is the hidden bonus
What about other genres like romance? Surely the love story, the emotions and the attraction play the key role here? Yes, but I still insist that you cannot not include a message. More often than not, it’s hidden inside the story like Easter eggs. If you have a happy end, that in itself is a message that says “love will find a way” and “the good will be rewarded in the end”. Then there are the things the heroine and hero say and do that will inevitably be tell-tale. If they lament over unfair behaviour, if they glorify love, if they fight against cheating, if they don’t mind stepping over dead bodies to achieve their goal, those are messages alright. That’s what I mean when I say we can’t avoid conveying something or other with our fiction.

Apart from that, a discerning reader will always take advice or insight away from a good book. Contrary to what some say, I firmly believe that it is important to include a deliberate message in what you write. Especially in the romance genre where you deal with people’s external and internal development, with love and with the interaction between people, it’s essential to know what you send out there. If you consciously think about that part of the story, you don’t run the risk of having an undercurrent to the book that conveys something you don’t even realize or would never support.

That doesn’t mean that you should be a preacher! The art lies in how to convey a message in your story without overdoing it or ruining the reading pleasure. You don’t want to scream things in the reader’s face. Long sermons where you wax lyrical about God and the world aren’t ideal either. Rather, try and include the message in a subtle way: by weaving it into dialogue, by asking rhetorical questions that the readers will answer for themselves, or by hiding the motif in the plot or development arc of your character or including it in the (happy or unhappy) end. I’ve found a good quote online – I wish I knew by whom – that says:

The trick is to make the theme fit the story, not the story fit the theme.

New book for the 4 Elements of Love Series

Book 1 of the 4 Elements of Love Series, "Playing with Fire" is available now.
The Series focuses on the four elements Fire, Water, Earth and Air. Each novel can be read as a stand-alone with a separate set of characters and a happy end.
I've written the first two chapters of Book 2, In Deep Water (formerly Underwater), and I want to share a bit more about it here.
In Deep Water
What if all the legends about mermaids and the lost city of Atlantis carry a nugget of truth inside them?

When Wendy is hired by a dubious multi-million-dollar corporation to investigate the corals covering a ship wreck off the island of Serendipity, her world gets turned upside down. She discovers a lost city under the ocean – and falls in love with Calder, the partner she has been assigned. The shocking truth about the hidden underwater world leads Wendy to self-discovery.

Should she give in to Calder’s persuasive charm? Can they use their magic to prevent a tragic disaster?