Michelle M. Pillow's Blog, page 84
July 4, 2012
Happy 4th of July, America!
Happy 4th of July, America! Be safe and no shooting bottle rockets at each other. 
July 3, 2012
Stacey Kade, Interview by Michelle M. Pillow
Stacey Kade, Interview
By Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com
From her first childhood scribbles about a magical necklace that would turn people into cats, Young Adult fiction author Stacey Kade has long been fascinated with what happens when the “ordinary” bumps up against “out of this world.” Her newest novel released last month from Disney-Hyperion, The Ghost and the Goth.
She’s also written under the name, Stacey Klemstein, penning two science fiction romance novels in a series for adults, involving first contact with aliens and conspiracy theories entitled The Silver Spoon and Eye of the Beholder.
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Q: In your book, The Ghost and the Goth, your heroine is a ghost. What inspired you to create such a character?
Stacey:I think humans have long been fascinated by what happens after death, and, to some extent, wish to be around, unchanged, forever. In this book, I wanted to explore that idea and the potential downside of such an existence. Plus, it was just fun. Alona is a mean girl who’s had almost everyone bending to her will her whole life. It was interesting to see how she reacted to being in a situation where she had very little control.
Q: When world building, did you base your story off of known myths throughout history?
Stacey:I’m the daughter of a Lutheran minister who also happens to be a big science fiction/fantasy fan, so both of those elements are deeply embedded in who I am and how I see the world. When I started thinking about the afterlife for The Ghost and Goth, I knew it wasn’t going to be based on the traditional explanation, but something closer to science. In my world, spirits are basically energy. Different dimensions (or, heck, parallel universes) exist and they are only able to pass through to them under certain circumstances.
Q: What myths or legends inspired you?
Stacey:I’ve always been fascinated by the afterlife/heaven. I think it stems from a plane ride early in life when I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t seeing people walking on the clouds that were just outside the plane window. Once I figured out that heaven wasn’t a literal place (as we know it on this Earth), it made me start thinking about what it was. I believe it exists, but I don’t think you can fly (or drive) there!
Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?
Stacey:Because it gives an explanation to the otherwise inexplicable. Because it gives us the “rules” to make us feel safe and feel like we understand the world (e.g. you’re safe from vampires as long as you don’t invite them in). And because, heck, it’s exciting. It means there’s still more out there we don’t know, we don’t understand, and while that exists, the possibility for anything and everything still exists.
Q: Do you have any paranormal pet projects?
Stacey:No, though I’m a big fan of SETI (http://www.seti.org/seti)
Q: What are your favorite paranormal shows, movies and books?
Stacey:I love the new show on BBC-America, Being Human. A vampire, a werewolf and a ghost all living together as roommates. Does it get any better than that? True Blood is a big favorite, too. And the classics, of course, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the X-Files!
One of my favorite paranormal movies is The Others (with Nicole Kidman). That one had a twist I didn’t see coming and still chills me to this day. I also loved The Sixth Sense, though I have to watch parts of that one with my eyes closed. Ghostbusters is my classic, all-time favorite movie—that one I have memorized!
The paranormal romance genre is one of my favorites so it’s almost impossible for me to narrow it down to just a few books. In Young Adult, I’m a huge fan of the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, The Mediator and 1-800-Where-R-You Series by Meg Cabot, and, of course, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. For adults, I love the Mercy series by Patricia Briggs, the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris, and the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. On the science fiction side of things, anything and everything by Linnea Sinclair.
Q: Do you believe in the supernatural? Or are you a skeptic?
Stacey:I believe in the supernatural, yes, but I believe that they are all things that will be explained or explainable one day once our science or knowledge base catches up.
For example, I think about the stories in the Bible, specifically in the New Testament, about people being possessed by demons as a form of illness. That was a rational explanation, at the time. However, these days, some theologians and scientists believe these people may very well have had epilepsy or some other medical condition that is commonly recognized as such today.
Q: Have you ever had a paranormal experience?
Stacey:Yes and no. When I was on my honeymoon in San Diego with my husband, we went to the historical Whaley House (http://whaleyhouse.org/ghostly.htm), California’s only haunted house authenticated by the state. I didn’t experience any of the footsteps or voices others have reported hearing (thank goodness!), but it was so cold in there. And it was a beautiful warm sunny day outside!
Q: What kind of paranormal creatures do you wish you could meet?
Stacey:Honestly, I think it’s probably safer to stay under the radar and not meet any of them! But if I had to chose, I’d love to be present for (though not a central figure in) first contact with life from another planet. That would be pretty cool.
Q: If given the chance, would you become a ghost?
Stacey:No, I think it would be too hard to see everyone I love moving on with their lives afterward. If I had to chose, I’d rather be a ghost-talker (aka medium) like my hero, Will, though even that would probably be way too stressful!
Q: How would you react if you came face to face with a ghost?
Stacey:Probably faint! I know that’s not very daring, but it’s true. I believe they are out there, but I’m very glad I’m not a medium. I suppose you get used to it a little, if you grow up with it, but to suddenly one day be able to see and hear them when no one else can? No thanks! I think that’s why I like writing about them—gives me a chance to explore but safely, you know?
Q: What does the future hold for Alona and Will?
Stacey:I’m very excited that Alona and Will’s story will continue in two more books (in 2011 and 2012), so I’ll get to explore even more aspects of this world.
Thanks for joining us, Stacey!
Learn more about Stacey and her books at www.staceykade.com and www.staceyklemstein.com. Interview by Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com
July 2, 2012
The Perfect Prince: Dragon Lords Book Two by Michelle M. Pillow
Review
“REVIEWER CHOICE! 5 FLAMES! Ms. Pillow’s strong characters, fast-paced plot, and steamy sexual encounters made this an outstanding book… Ms. Pillow’s talent for storytelling is sure to make her a renowned author of the romance genre.” Tanya, Sizzling Romances
“RECOMMENDED READ! 5 ANGELS! Utterly enjoyable (with) wonderful characters and creative setting. … This is a recommended read because it is such a wonderful story that will really transport the reader to a totally different world.”Fallen Angel
“RECOMMENDED READ! Second in the Dragon Lords series, Michelle Pillow has created a tale of patience and passion between two people, each with their own flaws and perfection.” Niniri, Road to Romance
5 HEARTS!”This second book in the Dragon Lords series is as exciting and sensual as the first. …This reviewer enjoyed this book very much. This was an exciting read that had her panting. Hopefully it won’t be long before the next one is published.” Valerie, Love Romances
“Michelle M. Pillow has told a wonderful story, bringing us into another world far into the future and making us feel a part of it. Dragon Lords: The Perfect Prince has characters so real I feel as though I have gotten to know them.” Summer Lasaire, In the Library Reviews June 2006
Description
A Perfect Escape…
Nadja Aleksander has everything she could ever want in life, except her freedom. Skipping out on her engagement, to a man her controlling father has chosen for her, Nadja books passage on the first spaceship she can find. Bound for a planet of primitive humanoid males, Nadja plans on finding a simple, hard working man who will allow her to live out her days in total obscurity.
A Perfect Mistake…
Prince Olek of Draig, royal ambassador, is pleased with his refined and blushing bride. When she chooses him to be her life mate, appearing happy in her decision, his heart soars–until the next morning when his new little Princess wants nothing to do with him. Olek doesn’t know what he’s done to upset his alluring bride, but he is determined to reignite the spark that burned the night they met.
June 30, 2012
Raven’s Recession Gift Card Giveaway!
Raven’s Recession Gift Card Giveaway!
We know times are tight. We’re feeling the pinch too. We also know that the first things to be cut from most household budgets are the luxuries like book buying. Often we have contests that features free downloads or paperbacks (yes, we’re including those in this too) but we thought it would be nice to do more—to help ease the pinch as best we could. Our solution, a massive gift card giveaway contest. We’re giving away thousands of dollars worth of prizes! (We’ve given away thousands and are STILL doing it!)
How does it work?
Glad you asked! Once a month we’ll randomly select winners from those who have entered. They’ll be notified via email.
What are you entering to win?
You’re full of awesome questions! We have lots and lots and lots (can’t really stress this enough) of gift cards to nationwide retailers to give away, plus free book downloads, free paperbacks, and pretty much whatever else we can think to toss at folks come winner selection days. Examples of just some of the ones we’ll be giving away—Wal-mart, Meijer food, Gordon Foods, Kroger, Visa pre-paid cards, Borders, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Outback, Chilis, Red Lobster, Old Navy, Macy’s, Sears, Hot Topic, JcPenny, prepaid gas cards, starbucks, and many, many more. Also, we’ll be tossing in free downloads of our books and paperbacks as they’re available to us to giveaway. UPDATE to prizes: DSI Lites, kindle ereaders, video games, moives, tv box sets and much, much more!
How often are we selecting winners?
Monthly! Again winners will be notified by email and if it’s a gift card (rather than an e-gift card) that you won, we’ll need your snail mail addy to send it to you. Don’t worry, we’ll ask you for it if you’re a winner.
Can I pick which gift cards or prizes I get?
No, sorry. We’re randomly selecting winners and pairing them equally as random with prizes.
How do I enter for a chance to win?
We’ll be drawing out winners from a few different places this time around. From our Raven Books newsletter mailing list members, from Raven Books Twitter Followers and from Raven Books’ owners Michelle Pillow & Mandy Roth’s personal mailing lists, facebook followers and twitter followers. If you’re already on all the mailing lists and follow each twitter/facebook, yay, you’re already entered to win! If not, here are the direct links for each.
The Raven Books Email Newsletter
Mandy M Roth Email Newsletter
Michelle M Pillow Email Newsletter
Michelle M Pillow Twitter
Mandy M Roth Facebook
Why aren’t you posting winners name publicly?
We got dinged for doing this and are taking a small break. Apparently, not all people who enter contests want their name out that they entered and won. (Frankly, I find this odd but that’s me… Ouch, Michelle just slapped me for saying that publicly. I feel someone had to.)
When should I start?
Now! The sooner the better. We’ll repost this contest page in its entirety at the start of each month of the contest as a refresher for any who might have missed it and a reminder to any who might want to enter more than once.
Can I get a bonus entry if I also promote this contest in addition to promoting Raven Books?
You sure can! Just be sure you’re promoting Raven Books first and foremost. Then, if you spread the word about the contest too, you’ll be entered multiple times.
Any stipulations?
Yes, you must be 18yrs old or older to enter. Contest is void where prohibited. No, we will not send you cash equivalent and all the other normal disclaimer stuff inserted here_____. Yadda yada yadda yada….
June 26, 2012
Boston Tour and Colonial Burials AKA Research Trip Part Two
Research Trip June 2012: A several part (however long it needs to be) series about my research trip to Boston, Salem, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia by Michelle M. Pillow.
Boston, Massachusetts
In part one I pretty much just gave an overview and complained about the invading ant army while daydreaming about pasta. Ok, so I’m still going to daydream about Little Italy. Hey, a girl’s gotta have dreams, but I’m moving on from the hotel into the very lovely downtown Boston.
We arrived on a Sat. evening so the area around Quincy Market (in the downtown district right by Little Italy (say it with me–mmmm, pasta)) was filled with street performers, college kids and a strip of bars and restaurants. Ok, so before I talk about the history of the place, or go on about pasta, I have to say one thing about Boston’s nightlife. Girls don’t wear bottoms. Seriously. They were rubberbands around their barely covered bum-cheeks. Apparently, the Puritans enacted a law that required women going to bars not to cover their goods… wait a minute. That can’t be right. LOL Oh, those Puritans! (I reserve the right to make Oh, those Puritans! into a sitcom.)
Do you see a pattern of digression when I talk?
Sunday morning we joined the Freedom Trail tours. It was a 90 minute walking tour given to us by this guy:
Boston Freedom Trail Tour Guide
Yes. He is dressed like the British. In his 21st c. life he’s a history teacher, so his tour proved to be both informative and full of great information. I cannot recommend the Freedom Trail tours enough. Now, there are two tour companies. This was the smaller of the two. I can’t speak as to the large company, but I enjoyed this one. Plus, it was nice to see historical Boston while hearing the stories.
One of my favorite stops was the Granary Burial Ground in center of downtown. It’s really kind of a sad place, not because it’s a place of death, but because the grave makers have been moved over time and are no longer over their proper grave sites. Also, even though there are nearly 5000 people buried at the place, there are only 2300 gravestones. This was because families had a hard time paying for multiple funerals and would use one headstone for the entire family. Most of the graves are said to have 20 bodies in them.
Ropes block the public from walking on part of the grass. Some of the aboveground graves encased in cement actually lead to stairs where bodies are buried in multiple. In fact, the mass graves have made the ground unstable and it was reported that a woman sunk down to mid-thigh a few years back.
Granary Burying Ground, Boston MA
I’ve done a lot of scholarly research into Victorian mourning practices (it was a big part of my college studies) so it was fascinating to see these old stones. Most of the headstones have the skull with wings pictured above. During the time, people were more accustom to loss. Today, we say someone “passed on” or is “no longer with us”. We have separated ourselves from it to the point we fear it. In Colonial times, infant mortality was high and parents would often reuse baby names. So if Baby Micheal died, his future brother might also be named Micheal. Also, when family paintings were made, they included all the members. However, if someone died they would paint them as alive but with a symbol by them–like a bird– to indicate subtly that the person had passed away. So, someone might come into the parlor and see a painting and say “You have a really nice looking family, but I see you lost three children”.
Sleeping under a blanket in the hot sun
Ok, getting away from the Colonial burial practices and back to the tour. … in my next posts.
Shelli Stevens, Interview by Michelle M. Pillow
Shelli Stevens, Interview
By Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com
Multi-genre author Shelli Stevens might not have been abducted by aliens or raised by a shifter clan, but that doesn’t stop her from creating imaginative paranormal worlds. I had the opportunity to talk with Shelli about her latest erotic paranormal offering, Sexy Beast VII where she delves into a world of were-jaguars to discover what it is that inspires her.
* * * * *
Q: In your book, His to Reclaim from Sexy Beast VII, you delve into the world of shifters. What inspired you to write about this?
Shelli:Well all stories in the Sexy Beast books need to be paranormal. Kate Douglas is in each book in the series with her popular Chanku stories. I was thrilled to be invited to write a story for the Sexy Beast anthology, and it was a great experience for me to plot out this fun capture and reclaiming story, and delve into the world of shifters.
Q: When world building, did you base your story off of known myths throughout history?
Shelli:I really don’t base my shifters on legends or other ‘rules’ from other shifter books, those just make me feel boxed in. I try and just have fun and make up my own world and my own rules.
Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?
Shelli:I think because it’s the unknown and the fantasy aspect. Authors/Movies humanize these paranormal characters and make us care and become even more drawn to them.
Q: What are your favorite paranormal shows, movies and books?
Shelli:I love A Haunting on the Discovery channel, and have to confess I do like the Twilight series *wince* Well, until the last couple books. She lost me there.
Q: Do you believe in the supernatural?
Shelli: I do believe. Definitely with the paranormal ghost/haunting aspects. Other stuff…not so much. But it’s fascinating to imagine. Hence the escapism of reading it in a book or seeing it in a movie.
Q: Have you ever had a paranormal experience?
Shelli:Possibly. On the haunted tour in D.C. last summer, our group was at the last house that was not occupied. Totally creepy, fantastic house with so much history. And as the guide was talking about it, the lights inside flickered. Even he was surprised.
Q: How would you react if you came face to face with a paranormal creature?
Shelli:I’d probably freak out for a few minutes, then interview the heck out of it.
Q: Have you ever been abducted by aliens?
Shelli:Sigh. No. How boring am I?
Thanks for joining us, Shelli!
You can learn more about Shelli and her books at her website, www.shellistevens.com. Sexy Beast VII is currently at all major bookstores.Interview by Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com
June 25, 2012
I Have No Ants On Me! AKA Research Trip Part One
Operation Research Trip June 2012: A several part (however long it needs to be) series about my research trip to Boston, Salem, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia by Michelle M. Pillow.
I have no ants to hold me down, to make me fret to make me frown. She has ants, but I am free–I have no ants on me!
Michelle M. Pillow at Harvard in Boston, MA
What? You’d sing too if you were the lucky one who came away from the Millennium-Bostonian hotel ant free. Ok, ok, so maybe I should back up a little bit. Hi, world. I was born on a… wait, no, fast forwarding… darn VHS tapes work about as good as the flight attendant on my last flight home. She had no clue where we were going and about had a mad rush for the door when she announced we’d be stopping on the wrong side of the country. Ok, so it was funny… I mean, I laughed to see everyone panic. I’m just happy she wasn’t flying the plane. Oh, and to that young mom who kept her baby quiet–bless you, bless you so much, bless you right in the heart. I admit, I had my doubts that I would think your baby was as cute in air as in she was down in the terminal while we were waiting to board.
I digressed again, didn’t I? Oy. Ok, take five…
I love my job. I have the best job in the world. Ok, well the best job for *ME* in the world-if you’re into 18 hour work days, making stuff up, biting humans while trying to suppress your magical powers, pouring over historical research data, meeting new people, trying new foods, traveling to exotic locations… like Boston. What? I loved Boston. I would so marry Boston’s Little Italy if only that 70 year old married homemade pasta making guy would have me. I just put on 300 lbs daydreaming about it. Mmmm…. pasta.
This season’s busy work travel schedule started with a bang (or should I say with an army of ants attacking Mandy M. Roth’s suitcases) as I joined the lovely Ms. Mandy (aka Mandy M. Roth) for the first research trip of the year. It started in North Boston near Quincy Market in the downtown district right by Little Italy (say it with me–mmmm, pasta).
BTW if you’re visiting the area, book your hotel in advance. We were limited on choices, but did end up in what was reported to be the very lovely, very clean Millennium-Bostonian. To be fair, I had a great ant-free room right in the heart of downtown. I could see the edge of Little Italy (*cough pasta*) from my balcony, as well as the entrance to the Lieutenant William F. Callahan Tunnel. Unfortunately, my travel partner’s luggage was attacked by tiny ants coming from the hotel room’s mini bar. Even though my room was OK, I’m irritated on principal. It was a raw deal, especially considering this happened at the start of our trip. The hotel could have done a much better job dealing with the situation. Taking $100 off a $700 bill seemed a bit like a luxury slap in the face (and it took them nearly 8 hours to even come to that solution). It’s really too bad because I would have given them high marks otherwise. I guess you can tell a lot about a place by the way they handle their problems.
While in Massachusetts waiting for our boat to come to port, we did manage to take a train down to Salem, MA. Ok, I wanted to love Salem. To be fair, we were there on a Sunday, so it might not have been the most happenin’ of days to visit. That said, it felt very tourist-y to me. When I visit a place, I want to be immersed in the history and culture. If you follow my antics in even the smallest of measures, you know that I’m a historian/cultural anthropologist at heart. I want to feel a sense of what this place means and who these people really are. Instead, I was transported to the Witch version of a seaside Ripley’s Believe It or Not tourist trap. (Even now, it kills me to write that because I wanted so much to fall in love with Salem). Please, PLEASE someone tell me I was just there at the wrong equinox.
From Mass. we loaded onboard the Carnival Glory for St. John (New Brunswick) and Halifax (Nova Scotia). I’ll be talking about Massachusetts and Canada in future blog posts… after my 700 plus photographs are done with the start of post-production. OK, that’s fancy photog talk for I gotta get ‘em off my memory card and onto the computer.
Stay tuned for more on the trip, authorly stuff, and well whatever else I feel like rambling about cause it’s my blog and I’ll ramble if I want to, ramble if I want to, you would ramble to if it happened to you… hey, started on a song, needed to end on one.
June 19, 2012
Pulitzer Prize Nominee Michael Clarkson, Interview by Michelle M. Pillow
The Poltergeist Phenomenon: An In-depth Investigation Into Floating Beds, Smashing Glass, and Other Unexplained Disturbances
Michael Clarkson, Interview
By Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com
When it comes to reporting on poltergeist, non-fiction author Michael Clarkson brings a unique approach to field. Spending 37 years in print journalism, he’s worked everything from sports to police reporting. He was nominated for a 1980 Pulitzer Prize for a story on J. D. Salinger. Picking up several writing awards along the way from the Canadian National Newspaper Award, the U.S. Health Care Award in 1995, to the Canadian Michener Award for public service, he then turned his attention to books. Three of his titles, Competitive Fire, Intelligent Fear and Quick Fixes for Everyday Fears, focus on the concept of fear.
It is this background that he brings to his investigation of the paranormal field, searching into the body’s fear responses as it pertains to the phenomenon itself. In his 2011 release, The Poltergeist Phenomenon: An In-depth Investigation Into Floating Beds, Smashing Glass, and Other Unexplained Disturbances, Clarkson approaches the paranormal like an investigative reporter. His book, for the most part, is filled with personal interviews with the people involved in the field, and in the phenomenon itself—believers and skeptics, witnesses and respected parapsychologists.
*****
Q: Is a ghost involved in poltergeist activity?
Clarkson:Usually not. Poltergeist energy seems to revolve around a person in the room, most often a young person. In only about 5 per cent of the 75 cases I reviewed, a spirit was reportedly involved and perhaps acting through a young person to move objects. A number of components must come together for a “perfect psychic storm,” and that seems to be why poltergeist cases are rare: there is usually stress or repression in a house and the poltergeist agents are frustrated and feel no way of expressing themselves; the agents often have unusual brains and tap into nearby energy sources to move things unconsciously with their minds.
Q: What are the most famous poltergeist cases and what are the best‐ documented?
Clarkson:The Tina Resch case in Columbus, Ohio, in 1984 was perhaps the most famous case, involving moving objects, electrical disturbances and international media exposure, allegedly revolving around a 14-year-old girl. One of the better documented cases was the 1970 incident in St. Catharines, Canada, in which an entire shift of police officers logged what they termed “phenomenal occurrences” over two weeks, centered around an 11-year-old boy, who was never caught cheating. A 1974 case in Bridgeport, Conn., in which a 450-pound refrigerator reportedly moved in the presence of a 10-year-old girl, was also documented by many police officers. One of the longest lasting cases was in Enfield, England, for about a year in 1977-78.
Q: What are your favorite paranormal shows, movies and books?
Clarkson:I tend not to watch much TV, and I’m not much of a reader of paranormal books, but I like to go to the movies for escape once in a while. The Haunting of Hill House, a black and white ghost story in the 1960s, scared the heck out of me as a kid. In the 1980s, I liked The Changeling and more recently some of Stephen King’s adaptations. I think some of the TV ghost shows are bunk.
Q: I think most of our readers have seen the Poltergeist series of movies. How close to reality are they?
Clarkson:According to the 75 cases I reviewed, they’re not, but rather they are entertaining. I think that’s why people go to movies – to get frightened in a good way, not for science, similar to going on a roller coaster.
Q: How would you react if you came face to face with a ghost?
Clarkson:I’d probably be happy because it would be a very good story to document. Of course, none of us knows how we would react to such a stunning event, but I’d hate to be the one not to get the story. I still have some fear of the dark, although I think that’s more related to the fear of the unknown.
Q: Is there actually evidence that poltergeists exist?
Clarkson: I don’t think so, and I don’t claim to have enough evidence in my book to prove it to mainstream science. Of course, science does not believe there is proof for anything paranormal. What I believe I have is very suggestive that they exist – 51 police officers in 17 cases since the early 1950s who claim to have seen what they described as the effects of poltergeist energy up close – moving objects and a force that has even knocked them off their feet.
Perhaps the closest evidence was Nina Kulagina, who had poltergeist action in her apartment in the Soviet Union of the 1950s, then Soviet scientists studied her for decades, claiming she could move objects in a Plexiglass cube by tightly focusing with her mind. There are videos of her on Youtube.
Q: How much do reported cases of trickery or fraud affect the credibility of real cases?
Clarkson:Quite a lot. And within the same case, there may be legitimate activity and then fraud by a young person who can no longer make objects move with his mind, but wants to retain attention among family, parapsychologists and media and so plays tricks when he thinks people are not watching. When he is caught, skeptics like James (The Amazing) Randi jump on it and tell the media, “See, told you – it was fraud all the time.”
Q: Is poltergeist activity related to psycho kinesis, the ability to move things with the mind?
Clarkson:It seems to be a cousin of PK. But poltergeist activity is RSPK – recurrent spontaneous psycho kinesis, which is more spontaneous than PK and seems to be caused unconsciously by a person, usually a young person. PK generally is thought to be a force caused consciously by an older person.
Q: Can the average person develop the ability to move things with the mind?
Clarkson:No proof this can be done, but many people believe so. The late fiction author Michael Crichton said he attended a spoon-bending party and was fascinated how young people seemed to bend them with their minds and by rubbing them, and that it all seemed natural, requiring a “focused in-attention.” Crichton said, “Psychic of paranormal phenomena are misnamed. There’s nothing abnormal about them. . . .we’ve just forgotten we can do them.” A Canadian woman in her mid-40s, who cannot be named, believes she has converted her poltergeist energy into more focused PK by making a homemade pinwheel and focusing on it until it turns around. She still claims to have RSPK energy, which is said to move objects when her husband gets her upset.
Q: Is the average person vulnerable to poltergeist activity in themselves or their home?
Clarkson:Many components must come together, as stated earlier, and it is a very rare event, lasting usually not more than several weeks. It normally involves people will unusual brains and ability to use nearby energy sources. However, a lot of repressed anger can touch it off.
Q: Do you worry that, as an investigative journalist, your reputation might suffer because of the stigma some skeptics attach to paranormal events?
Clarkson:I expected it would and it has. A Canadian reviewer of one of my non-paranormal books attacked my credibility by noting that I had written a poltergeist book. But this is the chance an author takes when writing such a book. There is a stigma attached to this not only by the mainstream media, but mainstream science. A respected neuroscientist claims he gets reduced government grants since he started investigating poltergeist activity
Q: Who are the best parapsychologists?
Clarkson:William Roll of Georgia is semi-retired and an expert who has investigated hundreds of poltergeist cases through the years and coined the term RSPK. Stephen Mera, of Manchester, England, and Andrew Nichols, of Gainsville, Florida, are also quoted in my book. The late Maurice Grosse was also instrumental in contemporary poltergeist research.
Q: After writing this book, are you skeptical or are you a believer in the paranormal?
Clarkson:I remain open-minded, and perhaps not as skeptical as I was. I think there are things we don’t understand and I prefer to use the word supernatural because I believe many paranormal events are amazing manifestations of the human mind and abilities.
Q: Have you ever had a paranormal experience?
Clarkson:Not by definition, but I have had many in-the-zone experiences, especially in athletics and deadline work for newspapers. Under pressure, I’ve been able to avoid choking by turning my fear into passion and then focusing these extra hormones from the fight-or-flight system into increased production. In some cases, it seemed as though I had out-of-body experiences – watching myself perform the tasks. In the end, I had to trust myself and let my training, skills, including mental abilities, take over.
Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?
Clarkson:A combination of reasons – society is spoiled and tends to get bored with mainstream stuff; surveys show that most people believe in some type of paranormal activity; we love good mysteries; and are always hoping there are new discoveries to be made.
Q: After death, do you hope to come back as a ghost?
Clarkson:I don’t know if I will come back. I try to make the most of my life on earth, but there are some people in my life I would like to haunt!
Q: What does the future hold for your writing?
Clarkson:I am writing a book and a screenplay, but my agent doesn’t want to tip our hand on the subject matter. I am getting so much positive feedback on the poltergeist book that I might consider doing another one.
Thank you for joining us!
Michael Clarkson currently lives in Ontario with his wife and two sons where he’s working on the next book.
Interview by Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com
June 12, 2012
Megan Hart, Interview by Michelle M. Pillow
Megan Hart, Interview
By Michelle M. Pillow
Fiction author, Megan Hart has published over twenty books since first coming on the book scene in 2002. She writes in several genres of romantic fiction, including historical, contemporary, romantic suspense, romantic comedy, futuristic and fantasy. Now, she’s adding “alternate historical fantasy romances” to the mix with her newest releases, Pleasure and Purpose (Berkley Sensation, Sept 2009) and No Greater Pleasure (Berkley Sensation, Oct 2009).
When asked about her writing career, Megan humorously stated, “I was born and lived for a while and did some stuff, and then I started writing books. Eventually, some got published. Now I do stuff and write books and whatnot.”
I suspected there might be a little more to it than that and endeavored to find out…
* * * * *
Q: In your book, Pleasure and Purpose you delve into the world of alternate/otherworld history. What inspired you to write about this?
Megan:I’ve always loved writing fantasy. I like making stuff up! Several years ago, the idea of an order devoted to providing peace crept into my mind. The idea of a woman telling a man, “I am your Handmaiden. I am your comfort and your grace”, emerged from some random conglomeration of events (that’s the way most of my stories work) and I slowly built the world from there.
Q: When world building, did you base your story off of known myths throughout history?
Megan:Actually, I did. Since The Order of Solace is a religious order I needed to build a faith. I drew heavily from Jewish mysticism – the concept of tikkun olam, in particular, which basically is the idea that at the beginning of the world, vessels containing divine light were broken and the good deeds (mitzvot) we perform here on earth return small pieces of those scattered bits of divine light. When they’re all returned, it will usher in an age of peace. I took that idea and incorporated it into a creation story and gave the Handmaidens their purpose: for every moment of absolute solace they grant their patrons, one more arrow is returned to Sinder’s Quiver (Sinder the being who created the world). Once the quiver’s filled, the Holy Family will return to usher in the age of peace.
Q: What myths or legends inspired you?
Megan:Tikkun Olam, as I said, as well as ideas about karma and fulfillment. Not myths or legends, exactly, I guess.
Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?
Megan:Because no matter how much we try, it seems to be unproveable.
Q: What are your favorite paranormal shows, movies and books?
Megan:I’m a HUGE freak for Supernatural. I love that show so much it hurts. I used to watch the X-Files and still love that. Quantum Leap, Star Trek were also faves along with shows like Night Gallery, Twilight Zone, Tales from the Darkside…basically I love scary stuff and science fiction. Clive Barker, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Robert R. McCammon, Douglas Clegg…
Q: Do you believe in the supernatural? Or are you a skeptic?
Megan:I absolutely do!
Q: Have you ever had a paranormal experience?
Megan:I believe I’ve seen spirits a few times. And yeah, I was scared. I would like to believe I saw a UFO once but I find it hard to believe I could’ve seen it and nobody else did, since it was hovering over the street. I saw a weird animal up in my tree once and I’m sure it wasn’t a cat! I’m ready and open to the supernatural/paranormal but I know I’d have an unfortunate and embarrassing physical reaction should I ever have anything really scary happen.
Q: Are there any kind of paranormal creatures you wish you could meet?
Megan: Um…none! I’d be askeered, I told ya!
Q: But if you did meet, say a ghost or a vampire, how would you react?
Megan:The time I believe I was in the presence of spirits I was scared. Once I believe I knew the spirit and its purpose so I just closed my eyes and let it do what it wanted, which was to see my child (it was the spirit of a relative who’d died before my daughter was born.) Vampire? I’d probably faint and then I have such low blood pressure and I’m pretty anemic, so maybe it would leave me alone!
Q: What does the future hold for the Handmaiden stories?
Megan:I hope to write more Handmaiden stories and explore more of that world and its history. I also have a lot of love for the paranormal and have a book in the works right now that deals with the dream realm. *fingers crossed for that one* Also have started a book about angels and demons which would seem sort of trendy at the moment even though I started it three years ago…maybe I’ll get to finish it!
Basically, I love writing sf/fantasy and paranormal and I hope to have the chance to continue!
Thanks for joining us, Megan!
You can learn more about Megan and her books at her websites, www.meganhart.com and www.readinbed.net.
Interviewer Michelle M. Pillow is an award winning author of over sixty published books. She writes in many romance fiction genres and can be found at www.michellepillow.com.
June 11, 2012
Diamond (Galaxy Playmates) by Michelle M. Pillow
Review
“DIAMOND (is) chock full of emotion, plot, and flaming sex scenes that will knock your socks off.” –Romance Reviews Today
“5 UNICORNS!Galaxy Playmates: Diamond is a story that grabbed my attention from the first page and left me believing that although you can try to outrun fate, she will always have her way.” –Enchanted in Romance
Product Description
Galaxy Playmate Diamond is going home while on break from work. Werten isn’t exactly a hot spring of activity and she knows once she’s there she’ll have to be a good girl. But, being good is so overrated–especially when eyes of fire and promise follow her wherever she goes.
Liam is a man from her past, her brother’s best friend and the bully who teased her mercilessly growing up. What better revenge than to prove to him she’s not the awkward girl he once knew? There’s only one problem. He’s not exactly the boy she remembers either.
