Michelle M. Pillow's Blog, page 85
June 5, 2012
Marie D. Jones and Larry Flaxman, Interview by Michelle M. Pillow
Marie D. Jones and Larry Flaxman, Interview
By Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com
For several years, whenever I checked the clock, the time always had an 11 in it. I mentioned it to my mother, my husband, even my friends. They thought it was just another funny Michelle quirk, and I became convinced it was happening because I had 11 on the brain and chose to ignore it until it went away. Besides, as a fiction author, I’m used to my brain fixating on weird ideas, and my thought processes not working quite like everyone else’s seem to.
Well, imagine my surprise when I was invited to check out the book, 11:11 The Time Prompt Phenomenon: The Meaning Behind Mysterious Signs, Sequences and Synchronicities by Marie D. Jones and Larry Flaxman. That’s right, my strange clock obsession with the number 11 isn’t uniquely mine. It turns out several people go through this fixation. So, is it a numerological power number? A magical number? A message from a secret society? The truth is, the theories are varied and so in depth that it would be impossible for me to outline them all in an article. So, I turned to the experts.
I would like to welcome best-selling authors, radio show hosts, screenwriters, speakers and paranormal researchers, Marie D. Jones and Larry Flaxman. They founded ParaExplorers.com and are at the cutting edge of paranormal, metaphysical and Noetic studies. They just signed a two-book deal and are now developing feature films and television shows with a paranormal theme. You can check out their newest release, The Deja Vu Enigma: A Journey Through the Anomalies of Mind, Memory and Time (June 2010), available at all bookstores and online.
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Q: In your book, 11:11 – The Time Prompt Phenomenon, you discuss several interesting topics, including synchronicity, the God number, and numerology. What prompted you to write a book about mysterious numbers and sequences?
MARIE AND LARRY: Our publisher actually came to us with the idea to do something about the 11:11 phenomenon. We both were not very familiar with the phenomenon at all, but when we looked into it, found that people all over the world were having this particular experience. And that led us into looking deeper into the importance of numbers and mathematics as the foundation of reality. The language of the Universe is mathematics. Number seems to be at the heart of so many things we had never thought much about until we decided to do this book!
Q: On a personal note, I used to see the number 11 all the time, but never knew there was a meaning to it. What is a time prompt? And, what is the importance of the numbers 11:11?
MARIE AND LARRY: A time prompt is a number sequence that appears, usually as a time, but not always, to someone over and over again. Sometimes it can appear on sales receipts, billboards and signs, computers, anywhere numbers show up. 11:11 is the most popular because of its direct association with the year 2012, which many fear might be the end of the world, mistakenly! 11:11 is the time that the Winter Solstice will begin on December 21st of that year, so this number has growing significance to those who are drawn to this being a potential time of transformation as well.
Q: What other time prompts, sequences or numbers are people widely reporting? Why do you think that people see these numbers over and over?
MARIE AND LARRY:Everything from 1:11 to 12:12 to 1234…it varies but always the sequence is not random. It has a discernible pattern. There are two theories behind time prompts and sequences people report. One – they are given to us via some “outside” force or influence that wants us to sit up and pay attention. Two – it is just our brains creating pattern out of chaos, by noticing something once, twice, three times, and then literally creating a new neural pathway or imprint in the brain that makes us continue to notice that same pattern.
Q: Have you had a time prompt experience? What happened, and what meaning did it have for you?
MARIE AND LARRY:We have both had a few in the past, but never gave them much thought or attention until we started to work on the book. Then we started seeing them all the time, especially 11:11, when we would email each other! It was like getting these little Universal reminders that we could laugh over together, and we equated those with the book making us aware of it. Before that, neither of us placed much meaning on the time prompts we did have.
Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the unexplained?
MARIE AND LARRY:We are curious creatures by nature, and have a longing to understand the world around us, and that includes the things we sense are real, but cannot always see or prove. It is part of what it means to be human, to look beyond the ordinary and see what makes us, and our world, tick.
Q: What are the prominent theories you explored in the book?
MARIE AND LARRY:Well, we start off examining the time prompt phenomenon and then move into a wide field of topics involving numbers. I think the bottom line is, number is everything. It literally is at the heart of science, nature, even reality itself. Number is profound. The theories ran the gamut from looking at brain patterns and matrixing, to synchronicity and cause and effect, to sacred geometry and numerology, to the Just Six Numbers theory that states the Universe is a finely tuned mathematical model.
Q: What is sacred geometry? Are some locations, buildings and structures inspired by higher knowledge?
MARIE AND LARRY:Sacred geometry is the ancient art of “as above, so below” applied to architecture and design. Ancient civilizations believed that it was important to build their temples, churches, holy edifices, monuments, etc… in accordance with points of power here on earth that would amplify what was going on in the heavens. It was a way of bringing the divine “down to earth.” We today build for functionality only. Rarely do modern humans take divine proportion or location into consideration, which is a shame.
Q: What is numerology and is it accepted by modern science? How do numbers influence our behavior, characteristics and beliefs?
MARIE AND LARRY: Numerology is a school of divination if you will, not at all accepted by modern science. It is like astrology. Many people swear by it, but science sees no valid evidence that it works. BUT at the heart of numerology is the same belief scientists have that number and measurement and time and distance and ratio is profound and therefore, the “energy” of our birth name must have some kind of power to influence or dictate our destinies. The problem we have with numerology is that there are so many different systems, and not all use the birth name, or some can use a variation of birth name, married name, etc… So, there is no strict system that every numerologist follows. And of course, the results of a reading are all based upon interpretation, and we all know where that gets us!!! You could go to ten different numerologists and end up with ten different readings. How confusing would that be? We both, in the book, use our names as examples, finding our Master Numbers, and we both found that some of the associated characteristics were right on the mark, and others were totally off base!
Q: How might the universe act like a giant computer? Explain the theory behind a finely tuned universe and the numbers that make up all mathematical law.
MARIE AND LARRY:The Universe seems to follow a handful of very basic mathematical ratios that, if at all tweaked ever so slightly, would have resulted in no life, no planets, no galaxies, etc. It seems that there is an intelligence behind the intricacy by which the Universe formed, and life itself. This intelligence has the qualities of a massive computer that takes in information and processes it, then puts out more information, in a snowball effect. All it is really is information, if you think about it, bits and bits of information that make up every particle and object in the Universe. So what is computing this giant program of ever-evolving progress and expansion? Who is the Master Programmer or Mathematician? The evolution of our Universe just is too detailed and fine-tuned to be explained by randomness or chaos. There is incredible order here!
Q: Is there a mathematic foundation to the creationary force? Is God a number?
MARIE AND LARRY:There absolutely is a mathematical foundation to creation itself. Again, it all comes down to number and ratio and measurement…But is there a God number? Some will claim there is, usually a profoundly mystical number like 1 or 3 or 7. But think about it, if God is our idea of All, how could one number encompass that? Maybe infinity…
Q: Do you have any pet projects?
MARIE AND LARRY: We are both so incredibly busy with all kinds of projects!!! We are of course writing books, books and more books. We wrote a screenplay which is now in development, with a paranormal theme (“19 Hz. The Movie). We are in talks to do a radio show on the Para X Network…We both speak at events, are all over radio, TV…it never ends!!! We became staff writers for TAPS ParaMagazine, and contribute a lot of articles to New Dawn Magazine, Phenomena, etc…Larry also runs his organization, ARPAST (www.arpast.org), and Marie (www.mariedjones.com) has other film and TV projects in development. We stay beyond busy!!!
Q: What does the future hold for your career/writing?
MARIE AND LARRY:We signed a two-book deal, so we have two more non-fiction books coming down the pike in 2011. And depending on how our movie does, we may be doing more films and developing TV shows, too. Not necessarily reality shows. We also want to get into more multi-media and educational projects, so the sky is the limit for us!
Thanks for joining us!
You can learn more about the authors at their website, www.paraexplorers.com. Individually, you can find Larry at www.arpast.org and Marie at www.mariedjones.com.
Interview by Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com
June 4, 2012
Seize the Hunter by Michelle M Pillow
Review
“4 STARS! Each author crafts a believable world populated with creatures who are realistic in their chosen situations. While some of the novellas are faster-paced than others, each features passionate characters in very (a)rousing situations!” –Karen Sweeny-Justice RT Magazine, May 2007
“5 Roses! Seize the Hunter is a hot and steamy read. Michelle Pillow writes a wonderful story that draws you in from the beginning. You felt like you were there experiencing the story.” Wildrain, Sensual Reads, 2008
“4 1/2! Ms. Pillow has crafted an intensely passionate story that will have you panting along with Ari and wishing for your very own Rurik. Fans, old and new, will love this erotically romantic tale.” Literary Nymphs, Oct 2006
“Seize the Hunter book 5 in a themed series focusing on winged shifters is a sexy piece of work. I’ve heard a lot of about Michelle Pillow’s books and I see all the praise is well deserved.” Rachelle, FAR, Oct 2006
“Ms. Pillow has crafted unforgettable characters and an intriguing plot in Seize the Hunter. I was instantly drawn into their world of Falconia and mesmerized by the winged creatures. If you’re looking for a great fantasy romance you should not pass up Seize the Hunter.” Klarissa, Joyfully Reviewed, Dec 2006
“4 HEARTS! Ms. Pillow has created a wild world of flying soldiers and magical princesses.” TRS, May 2007
“4 1/2 CUPIDS! an enjoyable and entertaining book!” Cupid’s Library Reviews, 2007
Product Description
Fate is giving her the one man she’d never want for her very own.
Princess Ari of the planet Falconia knows it’s her time to marry and has picked out several suitable men in her mind–none of which is Falcoan Army
Commander, Rurik of the Fifth. The man tormented her as a child, causing her
untold humiliations. But there is really no need to worry about such a
match. Shifters cannot rule and Rurik is a natural born falcon shifter.
Trusting destiny, Ari sips from the Marriage Chalice,
sealing her future. But things don’t go as planned. It would
seem fate is giving her to the one man she despises. How can she find
happiness with the one man she could never want for her very own?
Warning, this title contains the following: hot, explicit sex and violence explained with contemporary, graphic language.
May 31, 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….
HELP me help you get this book FREE for GOOD
Hi everyone. Raven Books needs your help again to make these two promotional books FREE for good on amazon. Its not an easy task. Its simple and its NO cost to you. It will just take a bit of your time. I’m guessing under five minutes. In the end, if it goes FREE, you’ll be rewarded with a FREE book or you have the option to download for FREE from the other vendors that already honored our FREE request.
We’ve asked for your help before on another title and it worked! Why? Because you are all f-ing awesome!
Instructions: (these need to be followed for EACH title)
King, King, Goose by Mandy M. Roth
1. Visit this AMAZON book page link. King, King, Goose? by Mandy M. Roth (click and new window will open)
In the PRODUCT DETAILS section you will see this under the info listed there “ Would you like to give feedback on images or tell us about a lower price?” Click on TELL US ABOUT A LOWER PRICE. Select ONLINE story option. In the url section you can paste one of the following URLs (doesn’t matter which one you use) and you can input the price as $0.00 and the shipping as $0.00.
URLs to be pasted in
http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/SW0...
OR
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/produ...
OR
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/King-K...
Rings of Gold by Michelle M. Pillow
1. Visit this AMAZON book page link. Rings of Gold by Michelle M Pillow (click and new window will open)
In the PRODUCT DETAILS section you will see this under the info listed there “ Would you like to give feedback on images or tell us about a lower price?” Click on TELL US ABOUT A LOWER PRICE. Select ONLINE story option. In the url section you can paste one of the following URLs (doesn’t matter which one you use) and you can input the price as $0.00 and the shipping as $0.00.
URLs to be pasted in
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Rings-...
OR
http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/SW0...
OR
May 29, 2012
Mandy M. Roth, Interview by Michelle M. Pillow
This interview was originally published in Paranormal Underground Magazine, Oct 2009
Mandy M. Roth, Interview
By Michelle M. Pillow
October is an exciting month for lovers of the paranormal. The veil between worlds becomes a little more transparent, goblins and ghouls traipse the neighborhoods in search of candy and all over the world people are celebrating— Halloween, Samhain, Ancestor Night, Feast of the Dead, All Hallows Eve, Old Hallowmas, Hallowmass, Samana, Samhuinn, Samonios, The Feast of Sam-fuim and Geimhreadh. It is why I chose this wonderful month to begin a series of monthly paranormal author interviews.
First, a little about me, your interviewer: I’m a multi-published, award-winning author writing in many fiction genres including futuristic, paranormal, historical, contemporary, fantasy and dark paranormal. I’m also a co-owner of The Raven, where readers can enjoy a free, ongoing story. I’m a photographer, a skeptical believer and a huge fan of Paranormal Underground Magazine. So, you can imagine my excitement in being a small part of such a wonderful team!
For my first interview, I thought it highly appropriate to invite my Raven co-owner, an extraordinary paranormal and dark urban fantasy author, Mandy M. Roth, to join me. Mandy and I have co-authored several titles together and co-host Raven Radio. She’s highly prolific with over fifty published books and a book cover artist. Her latest book, Force of Attraction, releases this month (Oct. 9) from Samhain Publishing.
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Q: In your book, Force of Attraction, you delve into the world of futuristic paranormals with vampires, shifters and shamans. What inspired you to write about this?
Mandy:I have big love for anything sci-fi and futuristic. Combine that with my passion for the paranormal and you get Project Exorcism (series name).
Q: When world building, did you base your story off of known myths throughout history?
Mandy: I’ve borrowed from the Eastern European vampire myths, legends of were creatures from all walks of mythology and also a good deal of Native American-like supernatural aspects. I also took from history and humans’ ignorance to things they don’t understand or fear. So many times throughout history humans have tried to destroy what they don’t understand. In my series, Project Exorcism, the people on Earth gathered all the supernaturals and loaded them on multiple space vessels, sending them off to unmanned, habitable planets. Only one of the many crafts actually arrived at its assigned destination. The others crashed on various planets, causing the supernaturals on board to have to integrate with the humanoids at each location. Some did so without issue. Others, like the main villain in the storyline, decided to seize control and take advantage of everything at his disposal.
Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?
Mandy:I think the unknown element is what draws so many people to the paranormal. Your imagination is really the only limit. Plus, throughout history man has turned to the supernatural and myths to explain what they couldn’t understand. I think it’s just natural.
Q: Do you have any paranormal pet projects?
Mandy:I co-host/co-author an online, free, ongoing paranormal story and radio show with fellow author Michelle M Pillow (hey, you might know her… grin).
Michelle: Nope, the name isn’t ringing any bells, lol
Q: Does your family have any special Halloween traditions? I know it’s your favorite holiday.
Mandy:Halloween is a big deal here at the Roth house. I even have a Halloween tree (similar to an xmas tree). We generally bake themed cookies, cakes, gingerbread houses, bob for apples, make popcorn balls, carve pumpkins (one year my brother had a pumpkin so big that an electric handsaw was required to carve it). We’ll often do some themed craft projects here as well as talk about Samhain and All Hallows Eve. I always dress up and pass out candy for the local kids. We also watch the cartoon version of The Legend of Sleepy Hallow every Halloween. I’m not sure why but I love that movie.
Q: What are your favorite paranormal shows, movies and books?
Mandy:Dracula by Bram Stroker, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstien, early Stephen King, Dark Shadows TV show from way back when, Being Human on the BBC and countless others.
Q: Do you believe in the supernatural?
Mandy:Of course.
Q: Have you ever had a paranormal experience?
Mandy:Growing up, I dabbled a lot in things better left unsaid. During that timeframe, many unexplainable things happened to me. As I grew up, matured and stopped the insanity, the oddness around me lessened but never fully went away.
Q: What kind of paranormal creatures do you wish you could meet?
Mandy: Vampire, werewolf, werecat of some sort just to make it even, a faerie, goblin, zombie, ghost, the grassman, bigfoot, etc. Okay. Any. The only one I’d not want to meet is the mothman. He wigs me out for some reason.
Q: If given the chance, would you become a vampire?
Mandy:Heck yeah! I don’t have any aversions to blood, living forever sounds good to me and I already avoid sunlight as much as possible. Can I take my answer back if vampires turn out to be hideous, drooling, mindless monsters?
Q: How would you react if you came face to face with a vampire?
Mandy:Honestly, I’m known to take things in stride. I’d most likely end up best buddies with it by the end of the night and be chatting it up on the net or cell phones the next night. It’s just the way I am. I do know I’d annoy the poor thing with endless questions on the myths surrounding them.
Q: What does the future hold for your writing?
Mandy:I have a Harlequin Spice Brief releasing sometime in the near future and am hoping to fill my schedule at my current publishers as well. Other than that, the sky is the limit.
Thanks for joining us, Mandy!
You can learn more about Mandy, her artwork and her books at her website, www.mandyroth.com. For The Raven, visit www.ravenhappyhour.com.
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.
May 28, 2012
Sapphire (Galaxy Playmates) by Michelle M. Pillow
BOB |
Review
“An exciting futuristic romance that will knock your socks off.” –Romance Reviews Today
“SAPPHIRE is a jewel of a story.” –Road to Romance
Product Description
Sapphire loves what she does for a living–being a stripper, a dancer, a star, and she’s Galaxy Playmate of the Year. She can make men beg. But, when a telepath starts coming to her shows, teasing and tormenting her mind, it’s soon she who is doing the begging.
Roark, a humanoid telepath, knows the first time he sees Sapphire that she’s the one for him. He’s a little surprised about what she does for a living, but has no problem with her continuing her career. Spending six months following her, joining their minds so they can get to know each other on a subconscious level before they meet, Roark is finally ready to make his presence known.
May 26, 2012
Author Linna Drehmel Interview by Michelle M. Pillow
Author Linna Drehmel Interview
Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com
Linna Drehmel grew up in a military family and loves those who have and do serve in the military. She has an addiction to music and can’t write unless her favorite muses are crooning in the background. She mother to eight children who keep her very busy. Her book the Young Adult SciFi/Paranormal, H.E.A.R.T. Saga: The Children releases Spring 2012 in ebook and print.
* * * * *
Q: In your book The Children you delve into a perfect little world where people’s lives and minds are being controlled by an addictive energy force that is being supplied by a mysterious god. What inspired you to write about this?
Linna:Well I guess you could call that the ultimate supernatural experience. I was in church, sitting there peaceful not thinking about writing at all, then BAHM! The main plot and main characters were all there in my head. I fully believe that this story was inspired by God.
Q: What myths or legends inspired you?
Linna:LOTS! I have been into archaeology and anthropology all my life. I have loved many different cultures and mythologies. Egypt, Greek, Norse, Celtic, Mezzo-American, and so many more. I love to see how the myths, legends, and theologies intertwine and pull us all together as one human family.
Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?
Linna:It is the ultimate fantasy. Looking outside the norm, the everyday mundane. It stretches the mind and gives people a complete and utter escape.
Q: Do you have any paranormal pet projects?
Linna:I do! I found this really great almost old fashioned internet radio drama called The Drama pod. The man who runs it, Tim Huffernan, has invited me to write a paranormal/ supernatural script for him. This is very new to me so it is going to take me some time but I look forward to having my work on the Drama pod (thedramapod.com/drupal/node/361).
Q: What are your favorite paranormal shows, movies and books? It there a word count limit here?
Linna:I could go on and on! I loved Twilight, YES I DID! Charmed, that one is such a favorite that I have all 8 seasons on DVD and I have watched them so much that I have a lot of the spells memorized. I loved the X-files, Men in Black, I am Legend, Interview with a Vampire, Harry Potter, Vampire of the Mists, Arson. See what I mean I could go on! This is just a fraction of the books, movies and TV shows that I love.
Q: Do you believe in the supernatural? Or are you a skeptic?
Linna:For sure I am a believer! I know that there is so much more out there than any of us can comprehend with our regular human senses.
Q: Have you ever had a paranormal experience?
Linna:I have, but for me these are deeply personal experiences. But what I will tell you that every one that I have had, I cherish and have made me a better person.
Q: What kind of paranormal creatures do you wish you could meet?
Linna:I would like to meet the vamps and werewolves that Stephanie Meyer created for Twilight. Friendly and HOT!
Q: Have you ever been abducted by aliens?
Linna:HAHA! No, but my Mother in law likes to joke around that she is one.
Q: If given the chance, would you become an alien test subject?
Linna:HECK NO! but I sure loved the movie Avatar. I would become one of those aliens in a hot second!
Q: How would you react if you came face to face with a vampire?
Linna:Well that would depend on if he was a mean killer or the sexy lost soul type. Mean killer…pull out the garlic and holy water! The Sexy lost soul type….well I am sure you can guess *blushes and winks at you*
Q: What does the future hold for the H.E.A.R.T. Saga?
Linna: Book one The Children is out this spring. I have book two The Choice almost done. I have 3 other books planned out after that.
Thank you for joining us, Linna!
To learn more about Linna Drehmel visit her on the web at linnadrehmel.blogspot.com and crushingheartsandblackbutterfly.com. You can also find her on facebook.com/linna.drehmel and twitter @LinnaDrehmel.
Interview by Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com
May 24, 2012
Carnal Instinct (A Ghost Cat Book) by Michelle M. Pillow
BOB |
When Fiona’s boyfriend breaks up with her, he doesn’t just leave, he cleans out her bank account, leaving her no choice but to go crawling back to her rich father. Now in her father’s debt, she’s practically forced to work at the Jameson Wild Life Rescue and Preserve taking care of animals.
Cade is a catshifter content to live out his day in cat form at the preserve. Besides, it’s easier for him to be in charge of security if he’s always on the grounds. But, when one of his new ‘caretakers’ can’t seem to stop making jokes at his expense, he’s determined to show her just how much of a man he can be.
Reviews
“5 ANGELS! Carnal Instinct is an erotic and passionate story…. Michelle M. Pillow has treated readers with a tremendous story that will leave readers breathless and wanting a lion of their own.” Jessica, Fallen Angel Reviews
“5 HEARTS! Wow, three of Publishing’s best authors in one book. Fans of these great authors will thrill at these tales of shapeshifter love.” Valerie, Love Romances
“4 STARS! Each story is very different, very erotic and very entertaining. There are enough strong heroines and seductive alpha males to satisfy any reader.” Gail Pruszkowski, RT BOOKreviews
“4 STARS! Carnal Instinct was a story that had me in fits of laughter and also sending shivers down my spine…. Full of passion, intrigue and danger, Ms. Pillow has created a couple that, not only learn to love, but also provide the reader with a story of happily ever after.” Sheryl, Ecataromance
“5 ANGELS! Ghost Cats II is an outstanding combination of three excellent authors. Jaycee Clark, Michelle Pillows, and Mandy Roth have each provided a genuine and compassionate story that in turn have created an overwhelming, wonderful anthology worth 5 Angels!” Jessica, Fallen Angel Reviews
May 23, 2012
Karen Frazier, Interview by Michelle M. Pillow
Karen Frazier, Interview
By Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com
Those of you who’ve read more than one issue of Paranormal Underground Magazine, or have hung around the PUG forums, will undoubtedly recognize the name of managing editor, Karen Frazier. Her paranormal journey began 20 years ago when unexplainable things happened to her while living in a WWII-era apartment. Since then, she has searched for answers.
Now working as a journalist and author (amongst other things) in the paranormal field, Karen recently released her newest book, Avalanche of Spirits: The Ghosts of Wellington. Part historical account, part ghost story, and part personal memoir, the book explores the March 1, 1910 disaster when an avalanche fell onto two trains in Wellington, Washington. At least 96 people died that day in 1910, and many believe that they’ve been living there ever since.
In addition to Avalanche of Spirits, Karen has written Lessons of Many Lives, co-written with Melissa Watts; and Supernatural! Exploring the Mysteries of Our Universe.
*****
Q: Your book, Avalanche of Spirits: The Ghosts of Wellington, seems to be a project close to you heart. Tell us a little about the book.
Karen:The book is part history, part ghost story and part personal memoir. In it, I tell the story of the 1910 avalanche disaster in tiny town of Wellington, which sat in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. It was the worst avalanche disaster in terms of human life lost in the history of the United States.
I spent a great deal of the summer of 2009 at Wellington and really got to know and understand what is going on there. I have come to believe that Wellington is haunted – not just by victims of the avalanche, but also by people who watched their town die in the wake of the avalanche.
It’s an amazing place and an amazing story.
Q: What is it about Wellington that first piqued your interest and inspired you to write this book?
Karen:It all started with a picture and an EVP. I was interviewing a local paranormal team – APART of WA – for Paranormal Underground. When I asked for their best evidence, they shared the picture and EVP with me. From the first I heard of it, I was drawn to Wellington. Unfortunately, I had to wait several months for the snow and avalanche danger to clear, but as soon as I had the opportunity, I visited Wellington. It changed my belief in ghosts, and it changed my life.
Q: How many spirits do you think reside in Wellington? Why do you think so many remained?
Karen:That’s a really good question. I would say more than 10 and less than 100. There certainly seems to be a rather large cast of characters up there, including at least one or two children. I also think that there is probably a combination of residual and active haunting. Some of the spirits there are extremely interactive, which makes for a pretty cool experience.
If I decided to become a ghost when I died, I might choose to haunt Wellington. It is a beautiful and peaceful place.
Wellington was this hearty little town carved out around the turn of the century in some of the harshest conditions imaginable. In the winter, they were effectively cut off from the rest of the world except by railroad. I get the feeling that the people there were proud of the town that they built, and when it so unceremoniously disappeared off of the face of the earth in the name of railroad progress, that had to be difficult for them.
Then there’s the issue of how much death took place at Wellington – most associated with the railroad. The old Cascade Tunnel, which has its Western terminus at Wellington, saw a large number of asphyxiation deaths when the trains ran through there. Working on the railroad was difficult and dangerous work. A number of employees died building the railroad, building tunnels, working on trains and more. And then there were the deaths in avalanches. Not just in 1910, but throughout the years that there was a town there – there were slides that came down the hill and killed people. It was kind of a fact of life.
Q: What types of hauntings do people experience while they’re there?
Karen:On the residual end, there is a party that starts up. You’ll hear lots of voices and music – banjos, accordions, pianos. On occasion, the smell of malt liquor accompanies the sounds of the party.
On the active end – there are a lot of really interesting things that happen. Disembodied voices, touches, apparitions and shadows, whispers in your ear. It runs the gamut from very intangible – like maybe just having a feeling of apprehension, itchiness or the hair rising on the back of your arms all the way up to seeing full bodied apparitions and hearing voices that just aren’t there.
Q: What do you hope readers will take away with them after reading Avalanche of Spirits?
Karen:I hope that they will get a sense of what a wonderful place it is and how much those of us who return time and time again love the ghosts there. I also hope that if they choose to visit, they will understand that these spirits – and the location – are deserving of respect and care instead of rudeness and provocation. Then there’s the wild animal element. I hope beyond all hope that people who visit Wellington will be aware that they are in the wilds of nature and elect to move forward as safely as possible.
Q: You’re latest release, Supernatural! Exploring the Mysteries of Our Universe, covers a broad range of supernatural topics. Can you tell us a little about the project?
Karen:Actually, Supernatural was written long before I wrote Avalanche of Spirits. It was really written from a different viewpoint than I have now. I was more of an agnostic about the existence of ghosts when I wrote the book. Wellington, obviously, changed all of that.
Recently, I sat back down with Supernatural! thinking that I was going to have to do a total rewrite based on my new point of view. Wellington changed me so fundamentally that I was certain I’d have to scrap what I’d written and start anew.
I was surprised at how much I didn’t change. The primary difference between when I originally wrote it and now is that I now believe in ghosts, where before I wasn’t sure what I believed about them. But the information in the book has a lot of journalistic content to it, and that research remains the same. In spite of my belief about how much I feel I’ve changed in the past year, I find that many of the conclusions I reached a year ago when I wrote the book remain the same.
In Supernatural, I look at all types of unexplained phenomena. I did a lot of research about a large number of topics that fall into the realm of the supernatural – from ghosts, cryptids and crop circles to the mysteries of death like near-death experiences and reincarnation to the mysteries of God and religion. While I do draw a few conclusions in the book, mostly it is up to readers to arrive at their own conclusions. I’m not about telling others what they should think. Instead, the book is about taking an in depth look at unexplained phenomena so that people can arrive at their own opinions – or in my case – arrive back where I usually seem to wind up – saying “I don’t know.”
Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?
Karen:The unexplained is always fascinating, isn’t it? Looking into the paranormal seems like exploring some undiscovered territory. In this day and age, it feels like there is very little unexplored territory left – so the element of discovery is cool for a lot of people.
From a more philosophical perspective, I truly think that we seek out the paranormal because we’re searching for information about what happens after we die. Death is scary. Looking for the paranormal may just give us an indication that we go on after we die and there isn’t just nothingness.
Q: Have you ever had a personal paranormal experience?
Karen:I’ve had a lot of paranormal experiences. Before going to Wellington, I had a few. The most significant – and the thing that got me started on my interest in the paranormal – was living in a really spooky WWII-era apartment when I was in my early 20s. It was my first apartment, and all sorts of odd things happened – odd noises, latched cupboards that would latch and unlatch, faucets that would turn on and off, and some kind of invisible something that would sit down on the bed next to me and whisper “I love you” in my ear.
Since then, I’ve had paranormal experiences because I’ve sought them out. I plan to continue to seek them out. I’ve become a junkie.
Q: What kind of paranormal creatures do you wish you could meet?
Karen:This may raise a few eyebrows, but I’d like to meet a demon. I have a lot of questions about that aspect of the paranormal. It would have to be in a controlled situation just in case I’m wrong and demons don’t come from the heart of man but actually are truly evil entities. What I’d truly like to know is if evil has some kind of Divine (universal) origins, or if it is a manmade construct.
I’d also love to run across all of the little magical creatures – elves, faeries, leprechauns, etc. I think it would be really amazing to discover that there actually are such magical little critters. How cool would it be to discover that magic was real and not just a part of overactive imaginations? I’d love knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that I lived in a universe where magic was possible.
In both cases, I’d want to interview them and then write an article about it. It would make a great story to tell, and I’m all about sharing a great story.
Q: What kinds of popular paranormal phenomena do you think is real and what do you think is discreditable?
Karen:I do believe in ghosts – although I don’t think that they are as common and prevalent as many believe. I believe they exist, but I don’t necessarily think that every anomalous experience is evidence of a haunting. I believe in life on other planets because it would be arrogant to believe that we are all alone given the vastness of our universe. I also believe in reincarnation.
As far as discreditable – that’s a tough one. It is pretty difficult to prove a negative, so to say that something absolutely doesn’t exist – I can’t do it. What I can say is that I do have doubts about some of the cryptids and the little elementals like faeries. I haven’t seen evidence that I found convincing so far. But then, I used to say that about ghosts as well, and look what happened!
Q: What projects are you currently working on?
Karen:I’m currently writing a book about my experience with The Namaste Project, called My 100 Days of Namaste: A Soccer Mom Takes on the Namaste Project. We’re also going to have another go at the Wellington documentary this summer so that people who can’t experience it firsthand can see why I love it so much through film. I have a few other projects in the works with Ghost Knight Media.
I also have another documentary in the pipeline that came as a huge surprise to me. At its heart it is about faith and religion – and my faith has been lapsed for years. But the subject fascinated me, so I’m excited to tell the story. I feel like right now I’m throwing spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks. Whenever I get an idea, I turn it into something and see where it goes. Since the ideas keep coming, I keep going.
Then of course there are the ongoing projects with Ghost Knight Media and PUG. The Namaste Project. My blogs on both www.namasteproject.org and www.paranormalunderground.net. Our Paranormal Underground Presents podcasts. Paranormal Underground Magazine. That type of thing. Keep your eyes on PUG and Ghost Knight Media – I truly believe we’re going places and we plan to have more terrific content and projects in the near future to keep our readers informed and entertained.
Thank you for joining me, Karen!
Karen Frazier is the Managing Editor and a journalist for Paranormal Underground magazine where she writes articles about a number of paranormal topics, including UFOs, ghosts, paranormal investigation, reincarnation, and many others. She is the cofounder and director of Productions and Public Relations for Ghost Knight Media, LLC.; the creator of The Namasté Project; and the moderator of Paranormal Underground’s podcast, Paranormal Underground Presents. For more information about Karen and her books, visit her website at www.karenfrazier.com. Or you can find out more about the books at, www.avalancheofspirits.com and www.supernaturalbook.com.
Interview by Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com
Winners – Most Wanted Authors Contest
Most Wanted Authors Contest Winners*! (Note: You only have a short window to claim your prize)
Hope Sheppard – $10.00 Amazon Gift Card. Please email me (michelle_pillow@yahoo.com) and let me know where you want the GC emailed.
Jennifer McCambridge – Your choice of an ebook copy of one of my titles from Michelle M. Pillow’s Raven Books selection. Please email me (michelle_pillow@yahoo.com) with your selection and elec format choice.
Deana Potter – Your choice of an ebook copy of one of my titles from Michelle M. Pillow’s Raven Books selection. Please email me (michelle_pillow@yahoo.com) with your selection and elec format choice.
Shaiha Williams – Your choice of an ebook copy of one of my titles from Michelle M. Pillow’s Raven Books selection. Please email me (michelle_pillow@yahoo.com) with your selection and elec format choice.
cheryl hensley – Your choice of an ebook copy of one of my titles from Michelle M. Pillow’s Raven Books selection. Please email me (michelle_pillow@yahoo.com) with your selection and elec format choice.
*Since I am leaving out of the country for business you have until May 31st to “claim” your prize. After that date no prize will be awarded.
