FEATURED AUTHOR: LORETTA MARION

ABOUT THE BOOK

A family patriarch’s dying proclamation, an enigmatic disappearance, and a century-old curse converge in the shadows of a majestic home on Cape Cod’s craggy coast.



Thirty-seven-year-old painter Cassandra Mitchell is fourth-generation to live in the majestic Battersea Bluffs, a brooding Queen Anne home originally built by her great-grandparents, Percy and Celeste Mitchell, and still standing despite tragedies that have swept the generations. Local lore has it that there was a curse placed on the family and the house is haunted, though opinions are divided on whether it's by malicious or benevolent spirits. Cassie believes the latter―but now she stands to lose her beloved home to mounting debt and the machinations of her dream-weaving ex-husband.



Salvation seems to arrive when a nomadic young couple wanders onto the property with the promise of companionship and much-needed help―until they vanish without a trace, leaving behind no clue to their identities. Cassie is devastated, but determined to discover what's happened to the young couple...even as digging into their disappearance starts to uncover family secrets of her own. Despite warnings from her childhood friend, now the local Chief of Police―as well as an FBI agent who pushes the boundaries of professionalism―Cassie can't help following the trail of clues (and eerie signals from the old house itself) to unravel the mystery. But can she do so before her family's dark curse destroys everything in its path?



Book Details:


Title: House of Ashes

Author: Loretta Marion

Genre: Mystery (with elements of paranormal and romance)

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (November 13, 2018)

Print length: 336 pages

On tour with: Great Escapes Book Tours


ALSO BY LORETTA MARION

The Fool's Truth   (Fall 2016)
The Fool's Truth is a twisty tale of mystery and suspense with whispers of romance. Desperation, dark secrets and danger emerge when Cordelia Richmond and her toddler daughter become stranded in the backwoods of Maine where she’s taken in by a witch-like hermit living off the grid. The book has received the following awards: Finalist in two categories (Mystery & Suspense) IAN 2017 Book of the Year Awards, Honorable Mention New England Bookfest, Literary Titan Gold Book Award. 

LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT INTERVIEW WITH LORETTA MARION

A few of your favorite things: My favorite things have never been actual things. I count myself lucky to have THE BEST friends, a great husband, a wonderful mother who is sadly no longer with us, and many devoted canine companions throughout the years.
Things you need to throw out: I have too many shoes, purses, clothes in general. My closets need a major purge!


Things you need in order to write: Peace and quiet. A nice view is always inspirational.
Things that hamper your writing: Clutter. A loaded to-do list. Noise–Even music (except for light classical).

Things you love about writing: Spending time with my characters. Escaping into another place and time.
Things you hate about writing: Deadlines!

Easiest thing about being a writer: The writing!

Hardest thing about being a writer: Although I’m proud of my writing, I find it very difficult to tout it to others. Therefore, book promotion is a challenging but necessary part of the publishing process.


Things you love about where you live: It’s near the water. There are many opportunities for outdoor activities: biking, hiking, kayaking. The history of the community is interesting. There’s a quaint downtown walkable from my home.
Things that make you want to move: Winters!


Things you never want to run out of: Peanut butter, cheese, bread, nuts…yep, it’s all food! Oh, and wine. Boring but true…water.
Things you wish you’d never bought: There are quite a few clothing items hanging in my closet with the tags still attached to remind me it’s no bargain if you never end up wearing it.


Favorite foods: See above for things I never want to run out of and add dark chocolate and pasta to the list. And I love almost all vegetables – except lima beans.
Things that make you want to throw up: Lima beans.

Favorite music or song: Too many to pick just one, though “This Old Heart of Mine” by the Isley Brothers and remade by Rod Stewart is up there. Love the classic rockers like Petty, Clapton, The Beatles, Moody Blues, Chicago, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, CST&Y, CCR, Jackson Brown, Bowie, Dylan, Springsteen, Rolling Stones. I think I may have failed this question.
Music that make your ears bleed: Not a fan of rap.

Favorite smell: Tressor (my perfume). Old Spice (my husband’s aftershave).

Something that makes you hold your nose: Gin.

Something you’re really good at: Remembering faces and names.

Something you’re really bad at: Geography – though I do love to travel!


Something you wish you could do: Something creative or artistic like painting, playing music or singing.
Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Swear – not that I do it often.


Things you always put in your books: Pets, Small towns, a female protagonist, a mystery of some sort.

Things you never put in your books: Gratuitous sex or violence

Things to say to an author: I loved your book! How do you come up with those great story ideas? You’re my favorite author! You had me guessing until the very end.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Writing is such a nice little hobby for you. (Definitely killing them off in my next book!)

Favorite places you’ve been: Almost anywhere in New England and Canada. California wine country. Big Sur. Alaska & Hawaii. Favorite European cities I’ve been fortunate to visit: Paris, Florence, Budapest, Prague, Copenhagen and Stockholm.
Places you never want to go to again: Camping.


Favorite books (or genre): Too many! I love mysteries, the classics, women’s fiction, humor.

Books you would ban: None!


Favorite things to do: Walking – almost anywhere – through the woods, along the shore, in a vibrant city, through a quaint small town. Traveling. Spending time with friends. Writing.
Things you’d run through a fire wearing gasoline pants to get out of doing: Dusting – fortunately my husband is a fantastic duster!

Most embarrassing moment: Too many – ha!
Proudest moment: I initiated a Legacy Story program for hospice patients when I was a volunteer. It was the most meaningful experience of my life and where my desire to write a novel had its beginnings.


Biggest lie you’ve ever told: That I was allergic to lima beans.
A lie you wish you’d told: Can’t think of one.


Best thing you’ve ever done: Quit smoking – YAY! (many, many years ago)
Biggest mistake: Starting smoking (I was young and foolish – and it was very hard to quit!)


The last thing you did for the first time: Flew on a 747 – I’d always wanted to, but never had the chance until recently.

Something you’ll never do again: Unless I absolutely must…fly in a helicopter.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR 


A true bibliophile, Loretta Marion’s affection for the written word began in childhood and followed her like a shadow throughout her life as she crafted award winning marketing and advertising copy and educational brochures. When not whipping out words on her laptop, she is traveling, enjoying outdoor pursuits, or is curled up with a delicious new book. Loretta lives in Rhode Island with her husband, Geoffrey, and their beloved Mr. Peabody, a sweet, devoted and amusing “Corgador” (Corgi-Labrador cross).

Connect with Loretta:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads

Buy the book:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Books-A-Million  |  Indiebound

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CHARACTER INTERVIEW WITH LENA GREGORY'S CASS DONOVAN

ABOUT THE BOOK

Whoever said that dead men tell no tales has never met Cass Donnovan . . .

Cass has always relied on her abilities to guide her, but after communications with a ghost land her in the middle of a murder investigation, she has to wonder if her gifts are really more a curse.



Cass knows she is meant to help track down the killer--much to the chagrin of local law enforcement--when the apparition leads her to a dead body on the beach near her psychic shop, Mystical Musings. But the police are not the only ones who wish Cass would stick to reading palms. Someone is trying to scare her off, and it will take all her powers of premonition to catch the killer before Cass herself becomes the next victim . . .

Book Details

Title: Clairvoyant and Present Danger (A Bay Island Psychic Mystery)

Author: Lena Gregory

Genre: Cozy Mystery, 3rd in series

Publisher: Berkley (February 6, 2018)

Paperback: 304 pages

Touring with: Great Escapes Book Tours

ABOUT THE CHARACTER: CASS DONOVAN

After growing up on Bay Island, a small tourist destination between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, Cass Donovan left to go to college, then open a psychiatric practice in New York City. After several years, she gave up her practice and returned to her hometown of Bay Island to open a psychic shop on the boardwalk. Now she enjoys doing readings for local residents as well as tourists and hanging out with her two best friends, Bee and Stephanie.

INTERVIEW WITH LENA GREGORY'S CASS DONOVAN

Cass, how did you first meet Lena? 

After overhearing a conversation between Lena and her husband, regarding whether or not ghosts were real, I just had to step in. I approached Lena, who does believe in ghosts, by the way, and asked her to write my story. Of course, it took a little persuading, but she eventually got around to it.

Want to dish about her? 

Well, one thing I can tell you is that she’s a master procrastinator. One minute I’d be talking to her, going on and on about what I wanted her to write that day, and the next, she’s on facebook chatting with friends and playing games. I’m not gonna lie, she can be a little frustrating.

Why do you think that your life has ended up being in a book?

I think, generally, people are fascinated by what might exist beyond our own limited view of reality. Since I can tap into that other world, people are interested in hearing what else is out there. Plus, there’s always the debate about whether or not ghosts are real, which I can assure you, they are.

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book. 

My favorite scene is between Bee and Stephanie’s husband, Tank. Tank and Bee are about as opposite as two people could possibly get, and because of that, they don’t always see eye to eye. But when Bee gets it in his head that Tank has done something to hurt Stephanie, he steps up in a big way.

Did you have a hard time convincing Lena to write any particular scenes for you? 

The hardest scene to convince Lena to write was the beach scene. She found it hard to believe I’d try to conjure a spirit on a deserted beach in the middle of the night with a storm coming. Boy, does she underestimate me! 



What do you like to do when you are not being actively read somewhere?

I love taking the ferry across to Long Island with Bee and Stephanie, especially in the fall. I visit the farm stands, eat roasted sweet corn and apple cider, and walk along the ocean beaches when they’re not crowded with tourists.

Tell the truth. What do you think of your fellow characters? 

I love my fellow characters! Bee is pretty much my best friend in the world. I don’t let the fact that he (supposedly, though I have my doubts) doesn’t believe in ghosts interfere in our friendship, and he accepts the fact that I talk to myself fairly regularly. And Stephanie is a sweetheart! We grew up together, and have lots of stories to share, but we drifted apart when I left Bay Island to go to college. As soon as I returned, we just picked up right where we left off.

If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?

I’d pick up Bee and Stephanie and head to Tony’s Bakery for donuts and coffee. After that, I’d take Beast for a long walk along the beach, then maybe visit a few antique shops before heading over to the diner for dinner with my friends.



What's the worst thing that's happened in your life? 

The second worst thing that’s ever happened in my life was walking in on my husband and my friend. First, I learned not to trust my now ex-husband or my now ex-friend. Then, I learned how to pick myself up and move on after my world fell apart.



Tell us about your best friend.

As close as Stephanie and I are, Bee is probably my best friend in the world. He owns Dreamweaver Designs, a designer dress shop just down the boardwalk from Mystical Musings, and he is everything you could ever want in a friend; fun, talented, loyal, and willing to go along with pretty much anything. And he always has my back. He swears he doesn’t believe in ghosts, but I’m pretty sure that’s just a cover for his intense fear of anything otherworldly. And still, he helps me with my group readings, helps me now and then with seances, and even (reluctantly) helped me try to contact a spirit with a Ouija Board. 


What’s Lena’s worst habit?

Lena is an incurable insomniac. And when she doesn’t sleep, I don’t sleep. She often wakes me in the middle of the night, because she gets an idea she just has to write down before she forgets it.



How do you feel about your life right now?
My life is going well right now, though a little confusing. Things have been happening that I can’t explain, and it scares me a bit, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Tell us about the town where you live. 

Bay Island is a small tourist island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York. The town of Bay Island consists of two rows of stores facing each other across Main Street. During the summer, tourists flock to the beaches, the boardwalk, and the lighthouses, but during the winter months, things are usually very quiet.

Describe an average day in your life.

I live just down the beach from my shop, Mystical Musings, and I often start my day with a walk to work with my dog, Beast. Once I get the shop open, Stephanie and Bee often stop by with breakfast from the deli, along with a good dose of the day’s gossip. Then, I usually do a few readings and hopefully sell some souvenirs, essential oils, and crystals. My best days end meeting up with Bee and Stephanie at the diner for dinner.

Will you encourage Lena to write a sequel?
Absolutely! Even though I’m at a good place right now, I’d like to think there’s still more to tell.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lena lives in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs.



When she was growing up, she spent many lazy afternoons on the beach, in the yard, anywhere she could find to curl up with a good book. She loves reading as much now as she did then, but she now enjoys the added pleasure of creating her own stories.

Connect with Lena:
Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  | Pinterest

Buy the book:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |   Penguin Random House

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FEATURED AUTHOR: LENA GREGORY

ABOUT THE BOOK

It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see that something’s not right on Bay Island  .  .  .
  
Since she left her psychiatric practice in New York City to open up a psychic shop in her hometown on Bay Island, Cass Donovan has given her fair share of readings to conflicted customers. But what she sees in Ellie Callahan’s future doesn’t bode well.
 
When Ellie’s mother, Marge, publicly confronts Cass about the reading, the embarrassment makes her want to curl up and die. And when she later stumbles across Marge’s body—and is a suspect in her murder—Cass is suddenly the star of Bay Island’s rumor mill.
 
Cass is determined to prove her innocence and save Ellie from meeting the fate in her unfortunate vision. But even with the help of her friends Bee and Stephanie, Cass will have to channel some serious sleuthing instincts to find the real killer  .  .  .

INTERVIEW WITH LENA GREGORY

Lena, what's your favorite thing about the writing process?
I love plotting my books.

Do you have a writing routine?
I keep a stack of spiral notebooks on my nightstand, one on my desk, and one in the living room. I even keep a small notebook in my car and one in my purse in case I have an idea while I’m out. Every time I have an idea for a story, I pull out a notebook and start plotting it out. I list the characters, giving a lot of thought to their names, sometimes even researching names that have some meaning that relates to the story. Then I give each of them a back story and work them into each other. Then I research ways to kill people.  And then I plot the story. Once I finish all of that, I just sit down and start writing.

Do you write every day?
I do try to write a minimum of a thousand words a day, but I don’t always make it.

What’s more important–characters or plot?
Hmm . . . This one made me pause. Though it’s a really tough choice, and I could make arguments for both sides, I’d have to say characters are more important to me. If I read a book with a great plot, but I can’t care about the characters, I tend to lose interest. To me, loving a character is kind of like hanging out with a good friend. It doesn’t really matter what you’re doing, even if you’re just hanging around doing nothing, it’s still fun to spend time together.

How often do you read?
I read all the time. I used to read at least three to four books a week, but since my son was born and I started writing—all in the same year—I haven’t had as much time. I still try to read at least a little every day.

What books do you currently have published?
Death at First Sight is my first book, and there are two more books written in the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries series. Occult and Battery is due to release in April of 2017, and the third book, which has not yet been named, is due out in October of 2017.

Is writing your dream job?
I have been fortunate enough to have worked several dream jobs. I was a dance teacher for many years, I choreographed and directed high school musicals for a while, and now I’m writing. Writing is definitely my dream job. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and I’m so thrilled I’m finally doing it. 


What is the worst job you’ve ever had? 
Cleaning houses was the worst job I’ve had, but it taught me the importance of working hard.

What’s one thing you never leave the house without?
Notepad and pen.

What do you love about where you live?
I live in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island. I’m about a mile from the bay, ten minutes from the ocean beaches, and only an hour or so from New York City, so there’s always plenty to do. I think my favorite thing about living here, though, is the small-town feel. I grew up working in my grandfather’s deli, my kids go to the same schools I went to, and everyone knows everyone else–which is sometimes good, and sometimes not so much.

What’s your favorite beverage?
I’m addicted to Diet Pepsi.

What is your superpower?
Multitasking! I can usually do several things at one time, including typing and talking, which drives my daughter nuts.


What do you wish you could do?
I wish I could sing. I’m absolutely awful.

What do you like to do when there’s nothing to do?
Read!

Where is your favorite place to visit?
Disney World. I have three kids, ages twenty-five, seventeen and five. It’s not always easy to find something everyone likes to do, but we all love Disney.

Do you give your characters any of your bad traits?
Yes. Cass, from Death at First Sight, has a habit of always running late. That’s all me.

Do you procrastinate?
I am the queen of procrastination.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?
"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it, if you can dream it, you can become it."

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to write?
I usually keep interview answers light and fun but, truthfully, the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write was my younger brother’s eulogy. He lost his battle with lung cancer at forty-three years old. There was just so much I wanted to say, but it was all so painful, and it was so important to me to get it right.


That must have been so hard. Let's lighten it up. Who is your favorite fictional character?
Scarlett O’Hara. I’ve always been a huge Gone With the Wind fan.


How do you like your pizza?
With everything except anchovies.


What is the wallpaper on your computer’s desktop?
Rivendell, from Lord of the Rings.


What is your favorite movie?
Lord of the Rings.



If you had to choose a cliché about life, what would it be?
That is so true. Actions speak louder than words.


What are you working on now?
I just finished the third book in the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries series, and I am currently writing a romantic suspense and plotting ideas for a new cozy series.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lena lives in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island with her husband and three children. When she was growing up, she spent many lazy afternoons on the beach, in the yard, anywhere she could find to curl up with a good book. She loves reading as much now as she did then, but she now enjoys the added pleasure of creating her own stories.


Connect with Lena:

Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  | 
Twitter  |  Goodreads

Buy the book:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |  Penguin Random House  

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FEATURED AUTHOR: R. BREUER STEARNS

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Question invites readers to consider this premise:

If you could have the answer to one question, and only one question, what would you ask . . . and who would try to stop you from asking it?

To what extremes would they go?

The Question is a thriller that explores a new way of thinking, a method powerful enough to answer very complex questions . . . perhaps powerful enough to solve the universe's most fundamental mysteries . . . perhaps powerful enough to resolve religions' most beguiling unknowns.

The Question is an adventure story . . . fiction that you may wish, may believe, may know, is true. The narrative occurs in the present, with scenes in California, Washington, D.C., Paris, Shanghai, New York, and Afghanistan.
 
The story is aimed at high-school and older readers and contains some graphic violence and occasional sexual allusions. The plot is action-oriented with an element of scientific fantasy, similar to Jack Finney's "Time and Again." The prose is crisply written, professionally edited, and organized into movie-scene chapters.

The Question is ideal reading for anyone who is curious . . . for those who gaze into the cosmos at night and wonder . . . for those who look into the mirror and imagine . . . for those whose hearts beat faster when confronting the unknown . . . for readers who enjoy a fast paced, contemporary thriller that inspires them to think.

INTERVIEW WITH R. BREUER STEARNS

How did you get started writing and when did you become an “author?”
I started writing stories as a teenager. The term “author” sounds very highfalutin, perhaps worthy of significant readership applause. Right now, I consider myself a “writer” . . .  a person who tries to tell a story, convey a message, stimulate an emotional and cerebral response . . . using just the right word at just the right time.
 
What's your favorite thing about the writing process?
I enjoy knowing that  readers’ “get” my work. I try to give readers intense feelings and thoughts . . . and am tremendously gratified and appreciative when my words reward readers for reading my words.

How long is your to-be-read list?
Very long . . . and growing. I do not read fiction when I am writing fiction because I do not want another author’s “voice” to infiltrate, inadvertently, my own. My To-Read List is comprised mostly of biographies, history, and science-related books.

You have a day job . . . how do you find time to write?
Writing is a compulsion. I write when I feel or think that I have something worth writing. I type on my computer . . . or write on scraps of paper, occasionally on napkins . . .   Sometimes, a concept or snippet bubbles up so quickly that I hurry to write it down before I forget it. Other times, I will think and think about an idea or concept and fail to find the right words or the right flow. Writing is sometimes very easy and sometimes excruciatingly difficult.

If you could only watch one television station for a year, what would it be?
Animal Planet . . . or a channel focused on Science and Nature.

How do you feel about Facebook? 
Facebook is brilliant, conceptually and technologically. It is a wonderful communications and marketing tool because it is simple to use and addictive.

What scares you the most?
Intolerance combined with ignorance. In today’s world, a minuscule number of people with access to highly destructive weaponry can do tremendous harm. My biggest fear is that an intolerant and ignorant few people destroy or injure many innocent lives.

If you had a swear jar, would it be full?
No.  But, it would be a very large jar.

Great answer! What's your favorite treat for movie night?
Popcorn with real butter and salt.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?
Mark Twain (paraphrased): It's not what you don’t know that hurts you . . . it’s what you know for sure . . . that just isn’t true.

Who would you invite to a dinner party if you could invite anyone in the world?
I would invite Abraham Lincoln to have dinner with my family and closest friends.

What is your favorite movie?
Any of these movies: Big, Field of Dreams, The Producers (original version), E.T.

Do you sweat the small stuff?
Yes, particularly in writing. Nuance, details . . . the right word . . . are important.  Inattentiveness to the “small stuff” almost always results in problems with the “big stuff.”

How long is your to-do list?
Long, eternally long. Curiosity produces long to-do lists.


Lightning round:

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

R. Breuer Stearns is an investor and author.

Mr. Stearns graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover (1970), Harvard University (AB, 1974), University of Chicago (MBA, 1977), and DePaul University College of Law (JD, 1979). He rapidly ascended on Wall Street in the 1980’s, serving as Managing Director, Mergers & Acquisitions at Lehman Brothers and Head of Investment Banking (North America) at UBS Securities. While living in New York, he founded “Terrific Teachers, Inc.,” a foundation dedicated to identifying and rewarding the best of the best of the city’s public high school teachers.

Shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Mr. Stearns launched a private investment bank in the former Soviet Union. He spent the early 1990’s seeking to marry emerging science, primarily emanating from Russia’s Defense sector, with Western capital.  During this period, Mr. Stearns made a small fortune, albeit from a larger one. The venture provided a remarkable lesson in hubris, a tremendous reservoir of internal strength, and first-hand source material for Mr. Stearns’ first book, Winning Smart After Losing Big (Encounter Books, Beijing University Press).

Subsequently, Mr. Stearns served as Chief Financial Officer of The Dial Corporation, Chief Financial Officer of Columbia/HCA Corporation, Chief Financial Officer of PacifiCare, Inc., President and Chief Operating Officer of Vascular Genetics, Inc., and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Quepasa Corporation (QPSA:Amex).

Mr. Stearns is a Founder of VestaPoint Capital LLC, a family of investment funds focused on real estate development. He lives in Arizona with his wife, two dogs, two cats, and a horse. He travels extensively and is intensely curious.

Buy the book:
Amazon  |  Book Depository

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Featured Authors: Joyce & Jim Lavene

Today, I'm turning the blog over to my main character, Tess Tremaine, to talk with Jessie Morton, the mc in Joyce & Jim Lavene's newly-released novel, Murderous Matrimony, a supernatural mystery. And there's a giveaway! Enter to win a copy of each of the five print books in the Ren Faire mystery series as well as the E-novella, Perilous Pranks and an E-copy of Murderous Matrimony, plus the entire collection, for now, of their Ren Faire Mysteries and a Ren Faire Mystery tote bag to hold all of them.

About the character:

Jessie Morton is a woman who loves the Renaissance faire where she lives with her lover, Chase Manhattan. She enjoys history and crafts. Her dissertation for her PhD was Renaissance Crafts in Modern Day. She is an excellent archer and has skills in hat making, basket weaving, glass making, sword making and tapestry.

Tess talks with Jessie Morton

Jessie, how did you first meet Jim and Joyce?
We were introduced in Wicked Weaves, the first Renaissance Faire mystery. Joyce and Jim were crazy about the Ren Faire and so was I. It was a good fit from the beginning.

Want to dish about them?

They write a lot – five mystery series and counting. They have paranormal and supernatural leanings. They live in North Carolina with two cats and a dog. They enjoy long road trips into the mountains, and like pizza.

They sound wonderful. Did you ever think that your life would end up being in a book?

No! Are you kidding? Why would anyone write about me? I’ve lived an ordinary life – except my summers at the Ren Faire.

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.

My favorite scene in the new Ren Faire mystery book, Murderous Matrimony, is when Wanda (the blue ghost that haunts me) gets her comeuppance. Can’t say anymore about that without giving away the plot, you know. But I LOVED IT!

Did you have a hard time convincing Jim and Joyce to write any particular scenes for you?

Oh no! Joyce and Jim and I are simpatico. They write what I tell them.

Lucky girl. Did you hear that, Amy? Jessie, what do you like to do when you are not being actively read somewhere?

I like to walk around the Village and see everything that’s going on. I love Vegetable Justice where people throw squishy fruits and vegetables at their friends while they are trapped in the stocks. I love spending time with Chase, my fiancée.

I can think of a few people I would love to introduce to Vegetable Justice. If you could rewrite anything in your book, what would it be?

I would rewrite the wedding so there weren’t so many people there. I really wanted a simple wedding with just me and Chase and a few friends.

Tell the truth. What do you think of your fellow characters?

Well, I love Chase (of course). Wanda, I could do without. Merlin the Magician is a little strange. Madame Lucinda, our resident fortune teller is a little odd. I think she may be part dragon.

Oh my. You do have some interesting friends. Do have any secret aspirations that Jim and Joyce don’t know about?

I would love to be in a story about making food. I mean, the craft stuff is good, but let’s do some food!

If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?

I have no idea. I’m not that person.



What impression do you make on people when they first meet you? How about after they've known you for a while?

I like to think that people read me as an every day kind of character. Nothing special, really. Just a little snoopy. After they’ve known me for a while, I hope they see that I’m smart and thoughtful.



What's the worst thing that's happened in your life?

The worst thing was when I dyed Wanda blue with a dye pack in her shower, and when I went to gloat, she was dead. I didn’t kill her, but someone took advantage of my prank.

Tell us about your best friend.

My best friend is sword maker Daisy Reynolds. She’s a big woman with blond curly hair and kewpie doll lips. She makes amazing swords and knives. She wears a breastplate with a phoenix on it and lives with a giant of a man, Bart.



What are you most afraid of?

Being bored.



What’s the best trait your author has given you? What’s the worst?

The best is common sense – it means I can see things that to her characters miss. The worst is my size twelve feet. What’s up with that? 



Oh dear. I don't know. But you're perfectly lovely, so don't let that one trait bother you. What’s your author’s worst habit?

Leaving me hanging from roofs (and in other perilous places) to go to bed.



Describe the town where you live.
I live in Renaissance Faire Village and Marketplace in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It’s on the site of the old air Force base. The Village is five miles around, not counting Sherwood Forest, of course, or the jousting arena. There are crafters, shopkeepers, and other real people living here, but also characters like Robin Hood, fairies, Little Bo Peep, Mother Goose, and others.

Sounds lively. Will you encourage your author to write more in this series?

This is already their sixth book in the series with Wicked Weaves, Ghastly Glass, Deadly Daggers, Harrowing Hats, and Treacherous Toys. There is also a novella – Perilous Pranks. They tell me there is another book on the way too. I’m hoping for Killer Kites!
Thanks for having me here today!

And thank you for being here, Jessie. Call me when Killer Kites comes out! Jack loves kites!

About the authors:

Joyce and Jim Lavene write award-winning, best-selling mystery fiction as themselves, J.J. Cook, and Ellie Grant. They have written and published more than 70 novels for Harlequin, Berkley, Amazon, and Gallery Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. They live in rural North Carolina with their family. Visit them at www.joyceandjimlavene.com.

Connect with the authors:
Website | Facebook | 
Twitter |

Buy the book:
Amazon | Amazon author page

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Featured Author: Troy Jackson

I'm happy to be talking with Troy Jackson today, the author of The Elementals, a fantasy novel. In addition to the standard interview, Troy also took the challenge and answered my Dirty Dozen. Troy is also my 100th post on this blog. Thank you, Troy!

About the book:

Upon unifying the seven warring states under one banner, the First Emperor of China began solidifying power for what he envisioned as a thousand-year reign. Using those he conquered, the Emperor began a series of arduous projects, including the first Great Wall, the Linqu Canal, and a national system of highways. Ignoring the physical and emotional toll exacted upon the people, his insatiable desire to further his own power has led to a growing, and secretive insurgency. One such organization is the Dragon's Spite who wishes to usurp control of the throne by nearly any means. But first they must marshal their forces strewn throughout the kingdom. More importantly they seek out three extraordinary girls who hold vast supernatural powers that can tip the balance in their favor. But do these unknowing heroines realize the talents that they possess? Will the Dragon's Spite reach them before the agents of the Emperor?

Interview with Troy

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

I have been writing ever since I was a child. I have always enjoyed writing books. But professionally, I would say the past few years.

What do you like best about writing?

Putting pen to paper, and when a scene goes according to plan.

What’s your least favorite thing?

Editing. I cannot STAND editing. *shiver*

I'm totally with you on both accounts! How did you come up with the title of your book?

The supernatural twist to The Elementals is that certain individuals hold vast powers within them in the form of the primary elements (in Chinese lore they would include Fire, Earth, Water, Wood, and Metal) or secondary elements (lightning, spirit, and others). The three young heroines unknowingly hold these powers, and they must be guided or risk destroying themselves. Through training they will transform themselves into The Elementals (which is along the same vein of a comic book story).

How would you describe your book in a tweet? (140 characters or less.)

As one reviewer of The Elementals once said, “This novel has something for everyone!” So I would saying along those lines.

How did you create the plot for this book?

The novel always played in my head as a movie. The opening scene played out like a scene from the movie ‘300’ with someone leaping high into the air in slow motion. From there the pieces fell into place rather quickly. After doing the research I was able to plot things out, and as it turns out I had enough material for at least three books!

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

When I first attempted to write The Elementals I tried to plow through it without any outline, and it was a total disaster.  It was terrible. So after about 5 or 6 chapters, I stopped and made the decision right then and there to plot it out. This took me about 8 months to come up with, and some of the scenes/chapters I nearly wrote as I plotted it out. It was also where I realized I had more than one book on my hands.

Did you have any say in your cover art? What do you think of it? Tell us about the artist.
Having self-published my novel, I could have used certain templates for my book, but I never once considered that. From the very beginning I had a vision for it, including the exact cover that is on it today. A friend of a friend was a graphic artist (Scott Bradford or Bradford Ink) and after telling him what I wanted he was excited. After a few weeks, and going back-and-forth a few times we had the finished cover. He absolutely nailed it!  Outside of having a sound, entertaining novel, the cover is probably the second most important part of any book. Some might even say #1A, because it is the first thing that a potential reader sees. So having a cover grab someone’s attention is HUGE, and I think Scott did a fantastic job. Wait until you see book 2 and 3’s covers!

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

The Wheel of Time series (all fourteen books!), The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit are the ones I have re-read.  It’s a very rare occurrence that I re-read something. It’s just how I am.

What’s your favorite line from a book?

“There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.” ~ One of the opening lines of each novel in the 14-book Wheel of Time fantasy series.
When you start a new book, do you know what the entire cast will be?

When I started writing The Elementals, I did have each character planned out. Because I plotted out the entire trilogy ahead of time, I know most of the characters that will appear in all three. However, as I write book 2 there are some minor characters that I had not originally planned on including that have been written in.

Which character did you most enjoy writing?
The Meng brothers – Meng Na, Meng Fei, and Meng Wen. They are cunning and lethal adversaries.

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

I am a listener, much like Jin Wei (known also as Master Jin). He is the spiritual leader of the Dragon’s Spite.

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.

My favorite scene would definitely be the very first chapter in the book. It is what replayed in my head thousands of times over the course of the years it took to put it all together. It played out like an epic scene in a movie.

What song would you pick to go with your book?

I like many different types of music, and I always listen to something while I am writing. For the opening chapter, a song called Points of Authority by Linkin Park would play in my head over and over. If this were a movie, then Aurora Borealis and Through the Gates by Celldweller could easily be used as trailers for it. And while the ending credits are rolling, Play With Fire by The Birthday Massacre.

Who are your favorite authors?

J.R.R. Tolkein, Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, and a host of others.

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

I read this when I was young, but after finally finishing The Wheel of Time series recently, I caught the fantasy bug and decided to pick up Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings (which is book one of The Belgariad series).

Is there anything in particular that you do to help the writing flow?

I watch movies that inspire me and conjure images that remind me of my own book, such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, Road to Perdition, American Beauty, and others.  I also listen to music by certain artists such as Steve Roach, Thomas Newman, and Robert Rich.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?

Funny quote: “Evil will always triumph, because good… is dumb!” ~ from the movie Spaceballs
Serious quote: “He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know” ~ Lao Tzu (which is quoted at the beginning of chapter one of my book).

What three books have you read recently and would recommend?

Towers of Midnight and A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan/Brandon Sanderson.
The Secret History of the World: As Laid Down by the Secret Societies by Mark Booth

What are you working on now?

Book two of The Elementals.

About the author:

Born in 1974 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Troy Jackson moved to the great state of Georgia with his family at the age of three where he has lived ever since. Currently he resides outside the city of Atlanta with his loving wife and daughter. His passion for history, fantasy, and science fiction began at an early age with a little nudge from his older brother. Attending Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia, he received a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in Teaching. In his spare time he enjoys being with his family, watching and partaking in sports. Although new to the profession, he intends on writing about subjects that have always fascinated him, including fantasy, adventure, science fiction and history.

The Dirty Dozen Daredevil Award!

I am happy to give Troy my very first Dirty Dozen Daredevil award for his bravery in answering my dirty dozen questions.

 1. Name one thing you couldn’t live without.

     My daughter.

 2. If you could only keep one book, what would

      it be?

     The Hobbit.

 3. Your last meal would be…

     Steak.

 4. Would you rather work in a library or a
     bookstore?

     Bookstore.

 5. You won the lottery. What’s the first thing
     you would buy?

     A new house.

 6. Would you rather be stranded on a deserted
     island or the North Pole?

     Island – I would rather take clothes off
     then bundle up.

 7. You’re given the day off, and you can do anything but write. What would you do?

     Watch movies.

 8. You’re driven to a private plane and told it will take you anywhere your want to go.
      Where would it be?

     Australia – always wanted to visit there.

 9. You can be any fictional character for one day. Who would you be?

     Gandalf the Grey in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

10. Where would your dream office be?

     My home.

11. If you could do only one, would you rather read or write?

     Write.

12. One of your main characters has to die. Which one would you kill off?

     I’d rather not say, because he/she just might!

Connect with Troy:

Website / Blog / Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter

Buy the book:

Amazon

Review of The Claiming Words

It's here! It's launch day for Tricia Drammeh's The Claiming Words. We've had a fun week leading up to today, and I'm thrilled to be in St. Charles for the launch. But before we send Tricia's book out into the world, there's one last piece of business: the review. So without further ado...

The Claiming Words: A heart racing and heart swelling fantasy novel
 
The Alexanders have a secret. Jace’s family is not exactly your normal, everyday, run of the mill family. They have certain supernatural gifts that make them very special. Jace’s girlfriend soon learns she has something in common with the Alexanders, and Jace’s best friend is taken into their confidences when she saves Jace from an attack from a Hunter.

As if keeping a secret of who they really are from the rest of the world, and trying to stay alive and out of the clutches of evil isn’t enough stress for a high schooler, Jace has to juggle the feelings of his friends. Life is tough when you have two girls who are in love with you. But one of them soon has another secret, and you’ll be as surprised as Jace when you find out what it is.

With The Claiming Words, Tricia Drammeh proves J.K. Rowling isn’t the only author who writes young adult novels that adults will enjoy. Tricia’s characters come across as real people—people we’ve all known and loved, and some we’ve hated. High school is like that, and Tricia nails the feelings associated with high school. Popularity, romance, bullies, friends, juggling sports and schoolwork…we all can relate to these characters. The Claiming Words is a young adult fantasy novel with three high school kids as the main characters. It can also fit under the romance genre, and even falls under the paranormal category, although you won’t see any vampires in this book. The three teens have some pretty heavy issues to deal with, but Tricia’s writing style keeps it from being depressing and gloomy. Amidst the drama, danger, and action, the book is sprinkled with humor, light-hearted moments, and romance. I have to say I really enjoyed the anticipation of the characters--I won't spoil it and say who--falling in love. I also loved the special gift Jace and his girlfriend share—they can carry on conversations in their minds without saying a word out loud, whether they’re great distances apart or in the same room. How cool is that? And she has the power to enter another person’s mind and find out what they’re thinking—or hiding. If I had a choice of a supernatural power, that would be high on my list.

I loved the sense of family in this book. Jace’s parents are so likeable. They’re friendly, warm, understanding, loving, and knowledgeable about the supernatural problems that pop up, making them the go-to people in time of trouble. It’s nice to see kids and parents interact in such a healthy way. They enjoy each other, and they help and support one another too.

I also like the way Tricia wrote romance into this story but left sex out of the equation. The romances were fun to watch, and once the characters did get together, the romance was more about them falling in love with each other rather than falling in lust. This is a great book for any age--even pre-teens, because the romances are chaste and wholesome.

There is some evil at work in this book, and Tricia writes bad guys as well as she writes good ones. You will loathe and fear the bad guys as much as you root for and love the good guys.

The Claiming Words is a great book with action, adventure, mystery, love, and a bit of the supernatural. To be perfectly honest, I have to give a disclaimer: Tricia Drammeh and I are both published by Iconic Publishing. I know Tricia. I love Tricia. But I truly do love this book too. I have to give it five stars, because it deserves it.

The Claiming Words is available in paperback and in Kindle format. You can find it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or other online stores.



About the author:
Tricia Drammeh is a wife and a mother of four children. Although she currently lives in Missouri, she has called many places home, including Georgia, Ohio, and California. She’s worked in retail, customer service, sales, and accounting, but writing has always been her dream career. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, drinking vast amounts of coffee, and spending time with her family and the multitude of animals who have taken over her home. Tricia is currently working on her sixth novel.
You can find Tricia at:   

Her website
Her blog
Facebook
Goodreads
Twitter