FEATURED AUTHOR: JENNIFER OTT

ABOUT THE BOOK

A thought-provoking take on the vampire mythos that makes you consider how the natural-spiritual and scientific worlds might intersect.



Countess Katerina Vaduva roams Eastern Europe as a vampire for nearly six hundred years experiencing the horrors of mortal man - wars, plagues, genocide and torture. For centuries, she seeks shelter and security in the castles of counts and sultans.



When her husband the Count of Slovakia passes, she pursues a new life with a colonel in the Prussian military. While her husband quests victory at battle, Katerina desires a Naturalist scientists who seduces her with knowledge and a greater understanding of herself, for this she will risk everything for the one thing she never had - immortal love and the pursuit of progress.

INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER OTT

Jennifer, how did you get started writing and when did you become an “author?”
I started my first novel at age twelve. In my twenties I studied screenwriting and I guess would be considered a screenwriter. I’d say I became an “author” when I published my first fiction novel Wild Horses.

What's your favorite thing about the writing process?
Being able to live in the lives of my characters. I experience and learn so much.

You have a day job . . . how do you find time to write?
My day job is in the fashion industry as a product developer. I go to a coffee shop about an hour before work and write and often times at lunchtime.

If you could only watch one television station for a year, what would it be?
The history channel.

How often do you tweet?A couple times during the day.

How do you feel about Facebook?
I like it.

For what would you like to be remembered?
For my books.

What scares you the most?
Ghosts.

YouTube is . . .
Addicting.

Who would you want to narrate a film about your life?
Emma Stone or Jennifer Lawrence.

If you had a swear jar, would it be full?
All of them would be full.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I’m an extroverted introvert. I’m social, but often I’d rather be by myself.

What's your relationship with your TV remote?
We have our differences. Sometimes, we have communication issues.

Do you spend more on clothes or food?
Food.

What's your favorite treat for movie night?
Nachos.

What is the most daring thing you've done?
Went to a professional football charity event by myself.

What is the stupidest thing you've ever done?
Went to a professional football charity event by myself.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
Went to a professional football charity event by myself.

What choices in life would you like to have a redo on?
I think all the choices I made were the right at the moment, even if they didn’t turn out as planned, because I learned from them.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?
“Unless I have something of my own to say, and a way of my own to say it in, I have no business to publish; unless I can look beyond the greatest Masters, and study Nature herself, I have no right to paint; unless I can have the courage to use the language of Truth in preference to the jargon of Conventionality, I ought to be silent.” ~ Charlotte Bronte

What would your main character say about you?
Delicious. Like a bold madeira wine.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to write?
I wrote a book The Insurrectionist which was through the eyes of a terrorist. Hard to put yourself in those shoes, but I wanted to understand how someone could through their life away in a violent act.

Have you ever been to a fortune teller? What did she tell you?
Yes. I have several times, and I have several friends who are psychics. The one thing I can say is the future is not absolute. It changes with the choices we make.

Who would you invite to a dinner party if you could invite anyone in the world?
Justin Trudeau, the new prime minister of Canada.

How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
Eight to nine. I like sleeping.

Do you have a favorite book?
Life is Elsewhere, by Milan Kundera.


How about a favorite book that was turned into a movie? Did the movie stink?
As a screenwriter, I have to say movies and books are two different mediums. It’s not always easy taking a 400-page book and turning it into a 120-page script. It is up to the discretion of the screenwriter what is kept and what is cut. But to answer the question, I would have to say The Color Purple. Both book and movie were amazing.


Do you sweat the small stuff?
Yes, but I handle the big stuff like a pro. Go figure.

If you had to choose a cliche about life, what would it be?
Don’t worry. Be Happy.

Lightning round:
Cake or frosting? Frosting
Laptop or desktop? Laptop
Chevy Chase or Bill Murray? Bill Murray
Emailing or texting? Emailing
Indoors or outdoors? Outdoors
Tea: sweet or unsweet? Unsweet
Plane, train, or automobile? Plane

EXCERPT FROM DESPERATE MOON

Siegfried was still awake scouring over his texts when a knock sounded on his door. He checked the clock and grinned—just in time. He closed his books and strolled to the door. Upon opening it, he saw a dark face shrouded under the hood of a large cloak.


“Irena,” he said with a widening smile.


She stepped inside lowering her hood. “Here for my appointment, Doctor,” she said letting her cloak drop to the floor and exposing her nakedness to him.


He had met her during one of his house calls. She offered nanny services to one the elites who lived in the hills surrounding Prague. Siegfried always wondered why such a beautiful girl would give herself up to servitude when she could find a rich husband.


“Servitude would be marrying a rich man,” Irena once said to him, “freedom is being his servant. Mistresses gain a lot more than married women.”


Irena was greedy as such. Siegfried was only too happy to find himself tasty to her, yet he too shared her same philosophy. He offered his service in providing healing and care and once he left their front door, he was again a free man to his own mind and mission.

Not being able to resist the sight of her supple body, he pulled her close and kissed her face.


She pushed him away. “Doctor, you are still dressed.”


With haste, he removed his clothes starting with his pants that constrained him and his shirt which he struggled to remove. She laughed helping him tug the sleeves over his wrists. Once both were naked, he carried her to his bed where he rested her down on the feather mattress.


He lowered his face between the plump yet firm breasts of his nubile nightly visitor, traveled upward to the nape of her neck, and paused. Curiously, he nibbled and tasted her skin.


“That feels good,” she said with a sigh.


He lowered his body onto hers and pressed himself inside her continuing to thrust rhythmically as her head gently hit the headboard. She dug her nails into his back scratching his skin and drawing blood. He grunted pushing harder and faster.


Within a black swirl, Katerina appeared in the doorway. She watched Siegfried's blood run down the curve of his back as he made love to Irena. She moved toward him, elevating her palm just above him to feel his sexual energy.


He rolled over pulling Irena on top of him. She laughed, gyrating above. She too lowered herself nibbling on his neck. “Feel good?”


Siegfried widened his eyes suddenly seeing Katerina. He sat upright with fright. “Kat—!”
Katerina disappeared instantly.


Irena rotated her head in the direction of Siegfried's gaze and saw no one. ”Kat?”


Siegfried collapsed on the bed, the moment ruined.


Irena crawled off his body. “Who is Kat?”


“No one,” he said hoping she would believe.


She threw her cloak over her shoulders. “If you have another woman, Siegfried that is fine with me. Just refrain from screaming out her name while with me.”


He pulled on his pants. “No. It is not that. It was nothing. Just an illusion.”


“Maybe you are working too hard, too much stress,” she said gathering her stuff to leave.

“It is late. Stay,” he begged.


Irena grinned and kissed his chin. “It is a short walk. I will be fine.” She blew him a kiss at the door.


Outside the wind howled and Irena held her hood tighter around her neck. She spun around and saw another cloaked shadow. “Hello!” she called and received no response. “Hello, is someone there?” She looked around fearful back-stepping to Siegfried’s door.


The shadow neared her with the force of a howling storm. Irena had no time to react when Katerina pierced her teeth into her neck. Irena’s life evaporated into Katerina. She vanished with Irena still in her embrace.

OTHER BOOKS BY JENNIFER OTT

Wild Horses
The Tourist
Saying Goodbye
The Insurrectionist
One with the Wind
A Soul to Shine
Edge of Civilization
Serendipidus
A Soul to Shine
Searching Civilization
Rays of Civilization
Time of Useful Consciousness

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Inspiration comes from watching way too much Monty Python. The abstract and the absurd way of looking at normal life, not only offers humor, but questions many problems in society in a light-hearted manner. If we can laugh at ourselves, if we can laugh at life, problems do not seem quite so difficult to tackle. In fact, problems are not as complicated as they seem; everything is very simple. If you can laugh at it, write about it and read about it, most likely one would think about it.



Author Jennifer Ott has written several satire fiction, Wild Horses, The Tourist and two non-fiction books Love and Handicapping and Ooh Baby Compound Me! She recently published, Serenidipidus and Edge of Civilization. She also is the host of the SuperJenius Internet Radio show on Artist First radio Network.



Jennifer Ott lives in Long Beach, California, enjoys the sun, the sand, the surf and lots of Mexican food.

Jennifer’s latest book is the Victorian era historical romance, Desperate Moon.

Connect with Jennifer:
Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  | 
Twitter

Buy the book:
Amazon    

Discuss the book:
Goodreads

Featured Author: Dan O'Brien

Welcome to the fourth day of the Mondays with Mephistopheles: 9am - Rhys blog tour. It will run until August 25th and will feature excerpts and new author interviews each day. But first, here is the obligatory blurb about the novel to settle you into this strange world:

Abraham Rogers has an unusual psychotherapy practice: monsters. This first installment is a session with Rhys, the IT vampire who can’t quite connect with the modern world the way he would like.

A few questions for the author:

What do you want from life?

To achieve my goals. I have been moving in that direction and it feels good to stay determined and persevere. I keep making new goals, which will make sure that I am always pursing something. I just want to continue doing what I want to do....


If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for?

Is an infinite number of wishes on the table? If so, then that. Otherwise, wisdom, patience, and clarity.


What three things would you take to a Desert Island?

My Kindle with all of my books (I can fashion a charging station out of a pineapple. Don't believe me? Search YouTube), my wife, and my survival bag.

Here be an excerpt for your enjoyment:

Abe knew that Rhys suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder, though it was more likely a bout of generalized anxiety tied to some kind of recent drama. 

It had taken Abe several sessions to become accustomed to the idiosyncratic behavior of the moody child of the night. As a psychologist he was supposed to remain composed, but the first few sessions bordered on frightening. 

Rhys had on more than one occasion threatened him with bloodletting if he continued down a particular course of questioning. This passed as the vampire soon revealed his aversion to the sight of blood and the passion with which he dreaded violence. 

“What of social engagements?”

Rhys collected himself before speaking. “In 400 years I have bedded many women, but Eileen was different. She was unfettered by my flights of sorrow. At first she thought it was going to be blood and bondage, but she soon saw that we are just bored with this world.”

“We have not spoken of Eileen in some time, Rhys. Have you done what I suggested?”

“Go out and meet people. Are you quite mad?”

Abe and Rhys came to this point often. “You came to me because you wished to overcome some of your fears, some of the things that were holding you back. You asked me to treat you as any other patient because the alienation and loneliness was at the very center of your concerns.”

Rhys nodded and motioned with his hands. “Do not get flustered. I recall what I said.”

“Very good. So have you?”

“I created a profile on one of this computer dating sites. That is not how a man met a woman in my time.”

Abe smiled. “Things have indeed changed.”

“I get these messages from women wondering if I am a goth or if I am an Anne Rice fan. I find the process disgusting.”

“Disgusting how?”

“I am not a literary character beholden to some novelist somewhere.”

“Do you take offense to the portrayal of your kind in the media? In fiction?”

Rhys leaned back into the couch, his reed-like frame consumed by the cushions. “Not all of them. Stoker did not terribly displease me. I prefer Mrs. Rice’s portrayal of my people, even if we are not as refined and romantic as the masses would hope. These sparkly, brooding types obsessed with teenagers paint us as horny men incapable of satiating our lust for youth. A terrible literary metaphor if I have ever seen one.”

Bio: A psychologist, author, editor, philosopher, martial artist, and skeptic, he has published several novels and currently has many in print, including: The End of the World Playlist, Bitten, The Journey, The Ocean and the Hourglass, The Path of the Fallen, The Portent, and Cerulean Dreams. Follow him on Twitter (@AuthorDanOBrien) or visit his blog http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com. He recently started a consultation business. You can find more information about it here: http://www.amalgamconsulting.com/.

Bitten (US) 

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Mondays with Mephistopheles: 9 am – Rhys (US)
Publish Your Dreams (US)

The End of the World Playlist (UK) 

Bitten (UK) 

Cerulean Dreams (UK)

The Journey (UK) 

The Path of the Fallen (UK)
Mondays with Mephistopheles: 9 am – Rhys (UK)
Publish Your Dreams (UK)

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Download Mondays with Mephistopheles for free on Kindle from 8/21 until 8/25!

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Talking With Patti Roberts

I'm happy to be talking with Australian author Patti Roberts today. Patti's newest book, Paradox--Bound By Blood, is the third in her Paradox series.

About the book:

Love is not counted in years - Love is counted in heartbeats
Love is not bound by distance - Love is bound by blood
In the Ancient World, In the New World - Love will prevail
Some will kill for love — Some will die for love - Some will love until it hurts.
And some will make the greatest sacrifice of all.
"Paradox is not a story in a place - it is the legend of a whole world."  Ella Medler.


Welcome, Patti. How long have you been writing, and how did you start?

I started writing at the end of 2009. I had just had my heart broken, and I needed to do something for me – other than feel sorry for myself – which I did for almost a year. So, rather than go out and get a haircut, buy a new outfit, a new pair of shoes, the usual feel-good therapy, I bought a new laptop and started writing the Paradox Series.

What do you like best about writing? What’s your least favorite thing?

The freedom to get lost in imaginary worlds, I love that. It's a total high. There is nothing you can't do. My least favorite thing is housework.

How did you come up with the title of your book?

I liked the word Paradox, what it means, so I wanted that to be the theme throughout the entire series.

Do you have another job outside of writing?

I also make book cover, trailers, formatting - for ebook and print - and promotional material for other authors.

Yes, you do. If anyone would like to see an example of your work, they can take a look at the book trailer you did for Murder & Mayhem In Goose Pimple Junction, or your own book trailer here and over on my Trailer Park page. 

Let's talk tweets. How would you describe your book in a tweet? (140 characters or less.)

"Paradox is not a story in a place - it is the legend of a whole world." --Book review by Ella Medler.

Excellent. How did you create the plot for this book?

I had no idea what I was doing, so I just started... I had an idea, but that soon changed along the way. Characters have a way of driving the story forward – they certainly have a mind of their own.

Yes they do. Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants, or let your characters tell you what to write?

There you go... you know what I mean – seat of the pants/character driven.

Did you have any say in your cover art?

I design all my own cover art. I buy royalty-free images then manipulate them to fit the Paradox style.

What books have you read more than once or want to read again?

There are way to many books out there to be read, so I don't read the same book twice. Although, having said that, I am very tempted to re-read Stephen King's book on writing. That was so entertaining. What an incredible life and talent... not that I have read many of his books.

Tell us a book you’re an evangelist for.

I love the Game Of Thrones series by George RR Martin. Big stories, big worlds, big cast of characters, plus dragons.

Have you ever bought any books just for the cover?

I have bought many books by the cover, many I am yet to read.

What do you do to market your book?

Twitter, Facebook and blogs, such as this one. Thank you, by the way. I also have a pretty extensive blog dedicated to the ancient Paradox world of Altair.

Do you have imaginary friends? When do they talk to you? Do they tell you what to write or do you poke them with a Q-tip?

My "friends" like to visit fist thing, when I wake up, or on the verge of waking up.  They are also very prominent when I shower.

How do you get to know your characters?
I have an idea of who I think should play a part. Then I will go looking online until I find a face that fits the character. I buy it, print it out, and pin it to my character wall.

A character wall. I love it! Okay, Sophie’s choice: Do you have a favorite of your characters?

Way too many. But I have to say, I really like writing for the most vile ones...

I do too! When you start a new book, do you know what the entire cast will be?

I have my regulars, but there are always ones that come to visit because 1 – they have a part to play later on. And 2 – you have to have someone to exterminate.

Which character did you most enjoy writing?

At the moment I would have to say Abaddon. He doesn't look all that evil. But we all know looks can be very deceiving.

I’m constantly on the lookout for new names. How do you name your characters?

Bounce names around off the top of my head from favorite books, TV shows, movies or people I know.

What would your main character say about you?

I know where you live.

Bwah ha ha! I like writing characters who do and say things I never would, as well as characters who do and say things I wish I could. Do you have characters who fit into one of those categories?

Absolutely! All the time. I guess that is why I like writing for the vile ones. They do and say things I never would.

If you could be one of your characters, which one would you choose?

Holly. Kick arse Princess from the Ancient Forest Of Doors. She is part witch, has a hot body and great hair, and is great with a bow and arrow.

With which of your characters would you most like to be stuck on a deserted island?

Wade or Cerberus. If I were younger. Damon, Riley or Zach. Or Josh, if he wasn't so obsessed with Angela.

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.

I really like the Ancient world. Dragons, castles, witches, Angels, Grigori (vampires) ... I love all those scenes.

What song would you pick to go with your book?

I have a list. But for the Ancient world I really like "Two Steps From Hell." Most of my characters have songs that I have chosen just for them. For example "Halo" by Beyonce is the song I chose for Riley and Grace. For Cerberus and Cleona, "Fireflies" by Ron Pope. For Wade and Kate, "A drop in the ocean" by Ron Pope.

Who are your favorite authors?

George RR Martin, Game Of Thrones series.

Which author would you most like to invite to dinner, and what would you fix?

George RR Martin. And we would have pasta and prawns or Thai green curry or slow cooked lamb shanks.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

Love my kindle! Currently reading book 3 (Game of Thrones) A storm of swords by George RR Martin.

How do you handle criticism of your work?

I love honest feedback, you can learn just as much, if not more from honest feedback, which in turn, helps you become a better writer. I know not everyone is going to like my books, not at all. There are millions of books out there that I don't like, doesn't mean they aren't great, just that they aren’t for me. Not everyone likes George RR Martin, yet I think he's brilliant.


Do you have a routine for writing? Do you work better at night, in the afternoon, or in the morning?

Mostly at night, when it's really quiet. Not that I'd know when I have my headphones on.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

I have a writing desk, a very messy one, in my bedroom.

Where’s home for you?
Cairns, Australia.

Tell us one weird thing, one nice thing, and one fact about where you live.

Not sure if there is anything weird about Cairns.
Nice thing: we don't really have a winter.
Fact: Cairns is where the Daintree Rainforest, one of the oldest rainforests in the world, meets the Great Barrier Reef.

Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do when it happens?

Never get writers block. I think when a writer gets writers block, it is because they are on the wrong track.

Is there anything in particular that you do to help the writing flow? Music? Acting out the scene? Long showers?
All of the above – plus looking at great pieces of art from DeviantArt – some really talented artists there – very inspirational.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?

“People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.”

What three books have you read recently and would recommend?

All of the Game of thrones – I'm hooked.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing? 

Catch up with friends, read, watch a few of my favorite TV shows.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I'd like to own and operate a writers retreat on the Atherton Tablelands, which is about an hour’s drive from where I currently live.

If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go? (Don’t worry about the money. Your publisher is paying.)

That would be me, so I would be paying! You know I love just taking a drive up to the tablelands – I love it up there. I traveled when I was a child quite a bit – so it isn't really in my blood to travel – hell, I do so much traveling in my head everyday!

What are you working on now?

Paradox – Equilibrium. Book 4 in the Paradox Series. And, I am about to begin co-authoring a book with a very talented indie author... A romance/feel-good/drama, due for a Christmas 2013 release. There is also a paranormal/mystery in the works, but I'll have to see how I'm traveling for time.

I want to mention that Patti is sponsoring a Kindle giveaway for Christmas. The winner will not only get a Kindle, but several ebook copies as well. (Including Murder & Mayhem In Goose Pimple Junction!) Click on the graphic under "Kindle Giveaway" on the sidebar of this blog to be taken to Patti's website for more information. Thanks, Patti for sponsoring that giveaway and for talking with me.

Thank you, Amy for taking the time in getting to know me. I really appreciate it.

About the author:

Patti Roberts was born in Brisbane Australia but soon moved to Darwin in the Northern Territory. Her son Luke was born in 1980. She currently lives in Cairns, Queensland where she is writing the Paradox Series of books.  Paradox – The Angels Are Here, is the first book in the Paradox Series and was first published as an eBook with Smashwords in 2010 and Amazon in 2011. Patti continues to write the Paradox Series. It is Patti's wish to one day own and operate a writer's retreat in FNQ - Australia.


Find Patti:
Blog
Facebook page
Goodreads author page
Twitter
Amazon