Author Interview and Giveaway with Nicole Izmaylov

Welcome everyone. I would like to introduce Nicole Izmaylov, author of Dart and the Squirrels. She is here today to answer a few questions and give away two e-book copies of her book, Dart and the Squirrels, a whimsical story about two mischievous squirrels and an grouchy old German Sheppard. All you have to do to enter the drawing is leave a comment. Winners will be drawn on November 27th and we will forward each winner a copy of Dart and the Squirrels in whatever format you require for your e-readers. Remember to enter a comment to participate and your email address so we may contact you as a winner!

Thank you, Nicole, for participating in this interview and giveaway! I'm sure your fans would love to hear more about you!

Nicole, tell us your latest news.

I’m currently coauthoring a novel with my sister, Michelle Izmaylov; this will be a space opera about an alien war. By myself, I’m working on a fantasy story concerning wolves and lions. In terms of publicity, I recently finished an interview with the Author Show, and it will be available within the coming weeks.

When and why did you begin writing?

I began writing because it was my way of living. I wasn’t a very sociable child; books were my escape, and later writing became an even greater one. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, and I think I started when I was very young—maybe six or seven.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

When I’m not writing, I enjoy reading, drawing, and playing and composing music.

What inspired you to write your first book?  

I have witnessed so many times bystanders or friends refusing to help others, and I believe that this should not happen, so I decided to write a picture book that would stress the importance of love and friendship. In addition, I saw a remarkable occurrence of a disturbed nest of bees disturbing a cat trying to pounce on a mouse.

What do you think makes a good story?

I think that there are three very important ingredients for a good story. (1) The writer loves it. (2) The audience loves it. (3) The characters and setting love their own story. By this I mean that the characters seem to be alive in a setting, as if the story were a description of something that actually happened.

How do you want readers to feel after they read your stories?

This depends on the story. On my stories are teach morality lessons, I want the reader to walk away having learned something. On my what if stories, readers should be thinking about the what if in their minds. On my general fiction, I want them to walk away feeling entertained and also a little sad, as my works tend to include bittersweet endings.

What is your favorite character out of all the books you have written?  

My favorite character would have to be the psychopathic Kor’lir from The Draçian Dance. This is the character who ripped another character’s head off for seemingly no reason, but I find him endearing in his insanity.

What influences your creativity of your characters?

I have quite an overactive imagination, and so many of my characters begin as exaggerated caricatures of some personality trait(s) someone I know has and slowly morph into a fully-fledged round character with a backstory and whatnot. It’s quite a fun process from initial idea to final character.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

As stated earlier, I’m working on a novel about wolves and (mountain) lions, wherein a mountain lion cub is raised by wolves. When the cub, named Crescent, is cast out of the wolf pack for being different, he realizes that he is not a wolf and sets out to discover who he truly is. I’m also working on a fairy tale parody—working title Curse Breakers—about four cursed individuals who truly hate each other but who are forced to work together to break their various curses. Ouch.

What are some of the goals and future plans with your writing?

Along with finishing the Shifting Moon Chronicles, Book I: Crescent’s Path and Curse Breakers, I’m also working on a hardcore fantasy tentatively entitled Songs of the Stars, which would be a five-book arc concerning a realm populated by lurking starsingers, shape-shifting beings with the power to control certain types of magic. I’m also planning to write another parody novel called Every Love Story Ever (plus Ninjas, Aliens, and a Slightly Used Napkin) and a mathematical thriller named The Vampyre Crusades, which tells the story of High Priest Möbius—and his loyal followers Ödin, Byron, Icarus, Uhluhtc, and Sliveron—as they set out on a quest to vanquish the mysterious vampyres that continue to appear from the West. What they don’t realize is that they live on a three-dimensional Möbius strip.

Thank you, Nicole, for sharing with us! Now remember to win a copy of Dart and the Squirrels, you must leave a comment to enter and also please leave your email address so that we may notifiy you if  you are a winner! Good Luck!

Congratulations to our winners Amelia Curzon and Sara Abrams!

Read More

Author Interview and Giveaway with Margaret Millmore

Welcome everyone. I would like to introduce Margaret Millmore, author of Doppelganger Experiment. She is here today to answer a few questions and give away two e-book copies of hes book, Doppelganger Experiment, a suspenseful adventure about a woman waking up from a coma with no memory of her recent past and when the memories begin to come back she finds herself in more danger than she can bargain with. All you have to do to enter the drawing is leave a comment. Winners will be drawn on November 27th and we will forward each winner a copy of Doppelganger Experiment in whatever format you require for your e-readers. Remember to enter a comment to participate and your email address so we may contact you as a winner!

Thank you, Margaret, for participating in this interview and giveaway! I'm sure your fans would love to hear more about you!

Margaret, tell us your latest news.

I’ve recently started a Featured Authors page on my website, it’s my hope to promote other authors (by featuring them and promoting them on various social media sites) and in turn they’ll say a good word about my work. It’s a tough world out there as a new author and my goal is to help get the word out for everyone.

When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve always had an active imagination and constantly told myself stories that I made up in my head. When the opportunity came up for me to dedicate some time to writing, well I grabbed at it, or should I say it ‘grabbed’ me.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Traveling and reading.

What inspired you to write your first book?  

It was a little over three years ago, a very heated game of Risk was going on between my husband, my brother and a good friend. These games tended to go on for days at a time and the banter between them is always entertaining. I started thinking about the dynamics of close friendships and for some reason that started me thinking about a story (for me it just takes the littlest spark).  That was how my first book came to be, it was more of a trial run to see if I could and wanted to write. Although it remains unpublished, it made me realize that all the stories I’d been making up since childhood needed to come out, and so it began….

What do you think makes a good story?

You have to engage the reader and keep them engaged with interesting characters, constant twists and turns and surprise them at the end. When someone tells me they were up all night reading a great book or it made them late for work, I usually run out and get that book.

How do you want readers to feel after they read your stories?

Much like I said in number 5, I want them to feel that they couldn’t put the book down, that I kept them interested and anxious to know what happens next. I also want to take them on a journey, one that attaches them to the characters and makes them care about the outcome. But almost as important, I want to entertain them.

What is your favorite character out of all the books you have written?  

Jane is my protagonist in Doppelganger Experiment and my favorite. I wanted to make her a strong, pragmatic person, who was faced with an impossible situation, but uses her positive and practical sensibilities to get through it, and of course she had to show a little vulnerability too (after all, no one is that strong….). I think we all want to be a little like that.

What influences your creativity of your characters?

The story writes the characters. When an idea hits me, the next thing is the main character or characters, and they come to be because the story needs them, their personalities, talents, lifestyles, all of that is part of what makes a novel work.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I’m not too far along, so there isn’t much to tell. But it will be a thriller, it will be based in San Francisco and other that, I can’t say too much at this point.

What are some of the goals and future plans with your writing?

I’d like to find some time to work on my first manuscript, to clean it up, make some changes and see what shakes out of it. In the long run, I want to write more books and entertain as many people as I can.

Thank you, Margaret, for sharing with  us today. Remember to leave a comment to enter and your email address so that we man contact you if you've won! Good Luck!

Congratulations to Margaret and Stinsonbooks! You are our winners of Doppelganger Experiment!

Read More

Author Interview and Giveaway with Joseph Beekman

Welcome everyone. I would like to introduce Joseph Beekman, author of Little Orphan Anvil. He is here today to answer a few questions and give away two e-book copies of his book, Little Orphan Anvil, a suspenseful adventure about an orphaned robot and his companions as they attempt to free a group of orphans and realm from the rule an evil witch. All you have to do to enter the drawing is leave a comment. Winners will be drawn on November 20th and we will forward each winner a copy of Little Orphan Anvil in whatever format you require for your e-readers. Remember to enter a comment to participate and your email address so we may contact you as a winner!

Thank you, Joe, for participating in this interview and giveaway! I'm sure your fans would love to hear more about you!

Joe, Tell us your latest news. 

I am a new author at World Castle Publishing, which very recently published and released my book, “Little Orphan Anvil”, so that is very exciting.  Also, just received two wonderful reviews for the book, including a 5/5 star rating!

When and why did you begin writing?

I began writing about my 2^nd year in high school, mainly short stories and poems, but as the years progressed and I entered into college in the fine arts department, I really pursued writing and literature more intensely.  I remember always having a passion for storytelling since I was very young, and I knew this was something I would love to continue as I grew up.  

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

When I am not writing, I love to watch films, read, play the guitar, and hang out with friends and family.  

What inspired you to write your first book? 

My first book, “A Tail Spun”, is a post-apocalyptic, mythical tale of a war between the remaining creatures of earth, including cats, rats, and spiders.  What actually inspired me to write this short story was when I acquired a stray kitten from friend, and being a fan of fantasy and science fiction material, decided to form a story around this particular cat in this type of genre.  It just went from there! J 

What do you think makes a good story?

Storyline, plot, believable characters, and a story that has some of the writer’s own heart and soul weaved within it. 

How do you want readers to feel after they read your stories? 

Inspired.  I want them feeling that the story has left them with a sense of hope, and that something can be taken from the story that may inspire not only themselves, but others, as well.

What is your favorite character out of all the books you have written?

That would have to be the old man, Will, from the tale “Little Orphan Anvil”.  Although he tends to have a some crazy characteristics about him, he is a very inspirational person that is very giving and wants, more than anything, to see other succeed and live life with a light in their soul.  He was a fun character to write! J

What influences your creativity of your characters?

I would have to say everything that surrounds my daily life influences my creativity for writing and writing the characters themselves.  The people that I connect with; my childhood and the people that surrounded me then, or ones I came across growing up; the ways in which people interact with each other.  Also, the environment, and how people interact with it, and how they might do things differently within that same environment.    

Can you share a little of your current work with us? 

“Little Orphan Anvil” is my latest short story about an orphaned robot that is reunited with its creator, and with the help of some other companions, they set out to save an orphanage and the realm itself from the dark magic of an evil witch.  Busy promoting the book, which is available everywhere, including amazon, barnes and nobles, and of course, World Castle Publishing! J 

What are some of the goals and future plans with your writing?

I plan to write a sequel for the latest book, and I am in the process now of writing a science fiction/horror novella which is coming along rather well.  I also plan on publishing a short book of poetry from the collected poems I wrote years ago, so that should be interesting.  Continuing to write and learn from process of writing along the way is something I will always pursue.  My goal is to one day, hopefully fairly soon, write a novel that will appear in hardback around the world! J  As I always remind myself: “Never abandon Hope!”

Thank you, Joe, for sharing with us! Now remember to win a copy of Little Orphan Anvil, you must leave a comment to enter and also please leave your email address so that we may notifiy you if  you are a winner! Good Luck!

Congratulations to jmrinaldo and Julia! You've both won copies of Little Orphin Anvil!

Read More

Author Interview and Giveaway with Ren

Welcome everyone. I would like to introduce Ren, author of Mercy. She is here today to answer a few questions and give away two e-book copies of her book, Mercy, a thrilling ghostly suspense. All you have to do to enter the drawing is leave a comment. Winners will be drawn on November 20th and we will forward each winner a copy of Mercy in whatever format you require for your e-readers. Remember to enter a comment to participate and your email address so we may contact you as a winner!

Thank you, Ren, for participating in this interview and giveaway! I'm sure that your readers would love to know more about you.

Ren, tell us your latest news.

Aside from the release of my 1^st novel (my baby), Mercy on October 1, 2011 - I am awaiting the arrival of my 2^nd grandson and 3^rd grandchild, Brayden Ray; due Feb. 20, 2012.

I will also be starting a new career as a line editor for a new publishing company in the near future.

     

When and why did you begin writing?

My father’s love of reading inspired me at a young age and early exposure to poetry and creative writing courses encouraged my writing talent. I have written many short stories and poems through the years and share the author’s dream of one day writing a best seller.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

When I am not writing I balance my time between being a mother, grandmother, researcher, editor, volunteer fundraiser, marketer & promoter for independent artists & authors for Fishing Country Now radio and paranormal investigator with S.P.I.R.I.T. Michigan.

What inspired you to write your first book? 

In October, 2009, I wanted to enter a paranormal writing competition for Halloween. With an avid interest in paranormal events I began writing a short story simply titled ‘Halloween”. Once started, I just couldn't seem to stop writing. Needless to say, I did not submit it for that competition; but I enjoyed writing it so much that it soon grew into my novel, ‘Mercy’. 

Shortly after, I joined a local paranormal group, S.P.I.R.I.T. Michigan as an investigator. My experiences within my S.P.I.R.I.T. family as an empath, along with my writing skills allow me to share my world through my work. 

What do you think makes a good story?

Sometimes you must just listen to the voices and write the story as it is told to you. The best stories contain a good mixture of every emotion along with suspense, romance, humor, information and intelligence. The perfect mix of all these will create works that encourage followers to want to read your next story.

             

How do you want readers to feel after they read your stories? 

After finishing one of my stories I would like my readers to feel the satisfaction of having enjoyed a good book and wanting more; I want them to look forward to the sequel. I would like them to feel that they know my characters and by knowing them they also know me.

What is your favorite character out of all the books you have written?

I have only written one book, ‘Mercy’, and I must say she is my favorite character. Throughout the series, she not only exhibits the impish antics of the child she will forever be; she repeatedly demonstrates a true friendship, first kindled in past years, that lasts longer than a lifetime.

What influences your creativity of your characters?

I am an Empath; this enables me to become one with my characters. When I write I see what they see; feel what they feel; hear what they hear and taste what they taste. I listen to the voices that speak to me and write the story they tell.

I feel one of my friends summed it up best when he said: “The best fiction comes from those who are able to see life from a different angle. Ren is not only able to see that different angle, she can hear what others miss and she is adept at writing the story the voices tell her”.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Currently, I am working on ‘Charity’, a sequel to ‘Mercy’. 

Charity is a mischievous Christmas Spirit that makes Mia and Jack St.Johns’ first Christmas in their new house memorable to say the least.  

I also have a story in the works about a young soldier and his adventures during WWI.

What are some of the goals and future plans with your writing?

Mercy is the 1st of a 4 book Paranormal/Fiction series by Ren.; released October 1, 2011. A sequel, Charity is in progress with Hope and Destiny to follow.

Other novels scheduled for future paranormal projects are ‘Harmony Rose’ and the story of a young soldier that fought in WWI.

Thank you, Ren, for sharing with us. Now remember that to enter you must post a comment. Please be sure to leave your email address so that we may contact you if you are a winner. Good Luck!

Congratulations to our winners Derika and T.J.! You've each won a compy of Mercy.

Read More

Check Out This Hot New Young Adult Paranormal Suspense - Restless Soul by Sally J. Carpenter - Young Adult Novel,paranormal suspense books,ghosts

Check Out This Hot New Young Adult Paranormal Suspense - Young Adult Novel,paranormal suspense books,ghosts

Read More

Great new romances waiting to be read!

Buy me

Ebony Triggs and her sister have accepted their birthright to be the magnificent ones, protectors of the innocent. They have been working on improving their magickal powers with the help of close friends the Pierce family. Ebony and Eliza have been working hard, with one common goal in mind, destroying the demon that killed their parents sixteen years ago. Will they ever find him and succeed at destroying him or will fighting evil become a daily occurrence for the sisters?

Entering her senior year of high school, Ebony already has more than most teens on her plate, but when things continue to change in her life she must rely on her immortal friends, the Pierce's to help get her through. Ebony and her boyfriend Matt like most teens are looking at the future and what will happen after life in high school. But when plans change will they be faced with even bigger issues?

Ebony soon realizes that the Pierce's and her close friends will need her as much as she needs them. She thought learning of her mystical powers was the greatest test of her life, but it was only just the beginning.





Buy me

Nicci Beauvoir fell in love with the artist, David Alexander, in To My Senses, and then uncovered his killer in Recovery. Nicci is back to finally confront David's dark past in Sacrifice.
Stunned after seeing a man she believes to be her beloved David Alexander in a crowd outside of the St. Louis Cathedral, Nicci goes on a desperate hunt for the truth about David's demise. But to get the information she desires, Nicci must team up with David's former boss, the ruthless Simon La Roy. Nicci decides not to tell her fiancé, Dallas August, about her involvement with Simon. As Nicci becomes hopelessly entangled in Simon's sinister plans, Dallas discovers her secret, and tries to protect her. But one night on a deserted French Quarter street, Nicci unexpectedly learns what really happened to David Alexander. Now she must engage in a deadly game of intrigue to keep what she has unearthed from Simon La Roy. In a final confrontation, a revengeful Simon forces Nicci to choose between her life and revealing all that she has discovered. But what mystery is Nicci protecting and is it worth her future happiness? For Nicci there can be no happy ending unless she keeps what she knows about David Alexander hidden from the world. It's a decision that will cost her everything. Is Nicci willing to pay the price? In the end, there can never be a happily ever after without a little...sacrifice.

Read More

Author Interview and Giveaway with S. Evan Townsend

Welcome everyone. I would like to introduce S. Evan Townsend, author of Hammer of Thor, Agent of Artifice and Rock Killer. He is here today to answer a few questions and give away two e-book copies of his new release, Agent of Artifice, a hot new Urban Fantasy. Be sure to look in the near future for the release of Rock Killer coming soon. All you have to do to enter the drawing is leave a comment. Winners will be drawn on November 12th and we will forward each winner a copy of Agent of Artifice in whatever format you require for your e-readers. Remember to enter a comment to participate and your email address so we may contact you as a winner!

Thank you, Evan for participating in our interview and giveaway. I'm sure your fans would like to know more about you.

Tell us your latest news.

I have a lot going on.  Hammer of Thor is out and selling well.  Its sequel, Agent of Artifice, is in editing shooting for an 11/1/11 release.  And I'm wrapping up work on a science fiction novel called Rock Killer that is about mining asteroids.  It's should be released by the end of 2011. 

When and why did you begin writing?

I can't remember a time I didn't want to be a writer except maybe when I was five and wanted to be a fireman.  I started writing when I was 12 and taught myself to type (on a typewriter) using my sister's typing manual from school.  I've been writing ever since so that's going on 40 years.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I enjoy reading books and watching movies.  My kids are getting older and I like to spend as much time as I can with them before they leave the house.  I have a bad habit of driving too fast but sometimes I do it on a racetrack where, at least, I don't have to worry about the local constabulary.   And I like to go to the Starbuck by the interstate and people watch.

What inspired you to write your first book?

Well, I wrote my first novel at 18 (I don't remember its title).  It was probably inspired by Star Wars and I think was most likely quite jejune.  Hammer of Thor, however, had a complicated beginning.  I'd written a short story set in the near future with fantasy elements in it (something I'd never done before).  It was there I developed the "adept" universe.  It was about a wizard (or as I call them, "adept") who uses technology to fool another wizard.  And I remember doing my two-mile walk and was thinking about World War II and I suddenly had the idea of putting these adepts into World War II.  How would they handle the threat of fascism?  And the story grew from there into a full-blown novel that covers 18 years from the early Depression to the Korean War. 

 

What do you think makes a good story?

A good story should take the reader somewhere he's never been before, either emotionally, spiritually, or physically.  I know none of my readers have used magic to protect themselves from machine guns, as my character does.  And they haven't had to stop a fire-breathing pterodactyl at the Space Needle in Seattle.  I want to take my readers on an adventure like they'll never have in real life. 

How do you want readers to feel after they read your stories?

They should feel exhilarated, and maybe a little bit educated about places or things they haven't personally experienced, and perhaps a bit inspired by some of the ideas I presented.

What is your favorite character out of all the books you have written?

I fell in love with Charlene "Charlie" Jones, the heroine of Rock Killer.  I put her through so much and she came out a stronger and more self-reliant woman.  But my favorite character has to be Michael Vaughan from Agent of Artifice.  I have to admit, he is everything I would be if I were younger, better looking, and had magical powers.  But during his adventures he is forced to mature and even risks his life for others.  He was a rascal and he became a reluctant hero, then a genuine hero.

What influences your creativity of your characters?

The aforementioned people-watching is great for developing characters.  Also people I know.  And I'm not above borrowing a character from a book or movie, tweaking them a bit, and using them.  I spend a lot of time on characters, their background, their physical attributes, their opinions and prejudices, and their personalities.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I just started a sequel to Agent of Artifice (or a third book in the "adepts" series, except I try to make all the books readable individually).  It's set in 1968 and I'm trying to weave together ICBM development, necromancy, and the Prague Spring and consequent Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia into one story.  That's the background.  I'm working on the plot and how are adepts going to be involved in all of that. 

What are some of the goals and future plans with your writing?

Like probably every writer out there, I want to write a best-seller.  I want to have adoring fans, groupies (do writers have groupies?), do the talk show circuit (does that even exist anymore?).  I want as many people as possible to read my work (and pay for it).  Realistically, I want to increase my freelance work because it's challenging and helps pay the bills.  And I want to finish the third "adepts" novel I've started.  Beyond that, I have very few plans or goals.  One book at a time!

Thank you, Evan for the interview! Now remember to leave a comment for your chance to win! Also, please remember to leave your email address so that we may contact you if you are a winner!

 

Read More