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  Helen Alexander

Interview with Alistair Cross

8/7/2015

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW


1. Greetings, can you tell us a little bit about your history and how your work has evolved up to this point?

Greetings, and thanks for having me! I’ve been writing since I was about eight years old when I began penning short stories and what I thought of at the time as songs.

Currently, I write solo and collaborative novels and while I still write the occasional poem, I find myself doing this less often as free time has become rather scarce. As for how my work has evolved, I see quite a bit of stylistic difference when I look at my work from just a few years ago. I think I’ve gotten better at setting, which is something that used to intimidate me quite a bit. I also think I’ve grown a lot in terms of character development and managing multiple plot threads since switching to third person a few years back.

I also find I have a much firmer command of the language than I used to. I think this is the natural result of writing and reading on a continual basis.


2. What genre, or genres, do you write?

Paranormal, Gothic, Horror, and Thriller.


3.  What is your latest book called and what is it about?

It’s called The Crimson Corset, the first in a series titled The Vampires of Crimson Cove. The Crimson Corset is about a seemingly ordinary young man named Cade Colter who moves to the tourist-centric little village of Crimson Cove where he discovers he’s not so ordinary after all. Unbeknownst to him, Cade has a genetic rarity that makes him very extraordinary … and very valuable, particularly to Gretchen VanTreese, the undead proprietor of the Crimson Corset - a nightclub of ill-repute that looms at the edge of town.

As Cade becomes the object of Gretchen’s obsession, the peaceful vampires on the other side of Crimson Cove must call off the ancient and uneasy truce between their Loyals and Gretchen’s in order to protect Cade Colter. But Gretchen has already begun laying an elaborate trap that will put Cade, and everyone around him, in mortal danger.

The Crimson Corset is a tale of terror and seduction, good and evil; it’s a demonstration of the corruption of power, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of extreme adversity.  


4. What was the inspiration for your book? When did you first get the idea for The Crimson Corset?

Although I never foresaw myself writing a vampire novel, I suspect I was inspired by vampire books I read when I was younger - particularly Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which I found fascinating and seductive.

As for the idea for The Crimson Corset, it came to me, oddly enough, at a nightclub I visited a few years ago. The atmosphere of the place inspired me in a dark, strange way, and I spent the evening alone at the bar jotting down the plot on the backs of napkins.


5. How long did it take you to write it? What is your writing process like?


I actually began this book in 2006 and I completed it in 2010. However, after a few years of writing other things, I returned to this novel to find that it needed a serious facelift - so much so, that I rewrote it from the ground up in third person instead of first. I began that process in early January of 2015, so it took me about four and a half months to write and three months to edit and revise.

I try to keep my process simple. For several weeks before beginning a project, I immerse myself in research, setting, plot, and character development. Once I start the story, I don’t stop until it’s complete. I write full-time, usually putting in 8 to 10 hours per day 6 days a week.


6. What can we expect from you in the future?

There is much on the way.  Between solo works, and collaborative projects with my co-author, Tamara Thorne, the next year or two will bring angels, demons, ghosts, over-protective mothers, unstable lovers, crazy writers, sadistic housekeepers, witches, and even some zombies. It’s going to be a very busy year ...


7. Among your own books, have you a favorite book?  Favorite hero or heroine?

I have thought about this, and can only answer by saying that my favorite book is whatever I happen to be working on at the time. As for favorite heroes and heroines, I have a few from each book. From The Crimson Corset, I’m really fond of Cade Colter and his brother Brooks. In The Ghosts of Ravencrest, Belinda Moorland is endlessly interesting, and her phantom lover, Thomas Manning, is always a lot of fun. In The Cliffhouse Haunting, I get a particular kick out of Constance Welling and Dr. Siechert, although I’m not sure either of those two would qualify as heroes.


8. Do you plot ahead of time, or do you let the plot emerge as you write?

A little of both. I like having an abstract roadmap with one to three possible endings, then I let the characters go wild on the page and enjoy the journey as they execute the story on their own terms.


9. Who are some of your favorite authors to read? Favorite books?


I thoroughly enjoy the works of many authors from many genres. Edgar Allan Poe, Anne Rice, Ira Levin, Tamara Thorne, John Saul, Stephen King, Patricia Scanlan, Christopher Moore, Richard Laymon … it’s a very long list.


10. Where can we buy your books?

All my information can be found on the Library page of my website at alistaircross.com

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CHARACTER INTERVIEW

Character name:

Gretchen VanTreese

Book name:

The Crimson Corset


Tell me a little about yourself?


I was born in Sweden, in 1660, where I lived a life of utter boredom until 1679 when my mother, who’d been unhappy with the country since the end of Queen Christina’s reign, took me to Rome where we began new lives. That same year, Mother and I were attacked by a vampire - and we were both turned. I don’t know anything about him except that he was a traveling tradesman.


Where do you live?

Mother and I moved to America in 1779 and traveled quite a lot, but after Mother’s … demise, I settled in the area that is now known as Crimson Cove, California. In 1912, I purchased the nightclub I call The Crimson Corset and have lived there since then with several followers of my own. I’d been outcast by Mother’s group, you see. She had her own band of Loyals who shared her philosophy that vampires should live invisibly among humans. In short, she wanted us to cower to them. I disagreed, and her little group didn’t take kindly to it when I killed her. She had no spine. So … let the punishment fit the crime, I say. (Evil grin)


Who is the most important person in your life?


(Sighs) It’s a sad existence indeed when the most important person in my life is a damned human, but currently, that is the unfortunate truth. There is a young man named Cade Colter who recently moved to Crimson Cove. He has a very special ... talent; something that would secure me in a position of ultimate power. He’s become very important to me.


What was your childhood like?

Until I was given immortal life, my existence was dull and unremarkable. I was raised by a woman with no understanding of her own capabilities, or mine. I had no father and know nothing about the man with whom my mother procreated. Surely, he was a great man because I certainly didn’t get anything of value from Mommy Dearest.


Of all the people you've met, who would you LEAST like to be stuck in an elevator with?


Ethan Hunter, Crimson Cove’s very own sheriff. He’s such a tedious man, always showing up where he doesn’t belong. Of course, if I were stuck in an elevator with him, I suppose that would give me the opportunity to see what kind of mettle he’s really made of ...


What is the most important thing in your life? What do you value most?

My legacy. I was born for greatness, and finally, after all these years, it is within my grasp.


What is your biggest fear?


Silly human. I don’t acknowledge fear and I certainly don’t invite it in for tea. Fear is the height of weakness. It’s an illusion - an excuse to take the easy road.


What is the most important thing that ever happened to you? Why?


Cade Colter’s recent move to Crimson Cove, because he carries the very key to my destiny. It’s only a matter of time before I get my hands on him, and what is time to vampire, after all? I can wait.


Do you have any special talents or abilities?


I doubt very much that you’d like me to sully your blog and offend your readers with an in-depth account of my talents, but I assure you, I have plenty.  


How do you see your future?

Oh, you should see it! (clasps hands together) It will be wonderful!


If you could spend the day with someone you admire (living or dead or imaginary), who would you pick?


I wouldn’t mind an evening with Jim Morrison. (Raises eyebrow) Again.


If you had a free day with no responsibilities, how would you spend it?


In my very limited free time, I like being pampered by Scythe, my guard. If you want to talk about special talents, I could spend hours pontificating the ways in which he pleases me. But again … it would be inappropriate to discuss here. Let’s just say that the real  “Vlad the Impaler” has nothing on my favorite pet, Scythe.


Where can we find out more about you?


I’ve heard rumors that some half-witted human has written a book about the recent events in Crimson Cove called The Crimson Corset. Really, it was just a matter of time before someone wrote a book about me, and I suppose I should be flattered, but I haven’t even read it. I only hope he didn’t leave out the story behind the real crimson corset - the one I’m wearing now. (Runs fingers across her corset’s ribbing) There’s a hell of a tale behind this garment ...


EXCERPT from The Crimson Corset


Untidy, Ryan Closter had called it. The young deputy had a knack for understatement so when Ethan arrived at the scene just after seven a.m., he was prepared to be put off - but this was downright ghastly. This wasn’t the way Ethan liked to start his mornings.

Blood was everywhere, a dried riot of red rust all over the floor, across the bed, and even on the ceiling. It was as if someone had put a bomb in a can of paint. And the smell was unbearable. Flies swarmed like a black cloud above the body.

Closter spoke at Ethan’s side. “A neighbor heard some noises last night. She informed the landlord this morning, and after knocking and getting no response, this is what he walked into.”

At the center of the bed lay the woman, facedown, in a dried pool of her own fluids.

“Her name’s Rose Keller,” Closter said.

Ethan shook his head. “Day manager of the Black Garter.”

“You know her?”

“Our paths crossed recently.” Ethan wouldn’t have been surprised to hear the woman had overdosed on something, but wouldn’t have guessed she’d go like this.

“I’ve never seen anything like it.” Closter looked a little green, and his partner, Nick Grayson, gave Ethan an uncertain glance.

“Why don’t you go get some fresh air, Closter?” Ethan said. “We’ll be fine till the others show up.”

The deputy swallowed and nodded, his face clammy. The last thing they needed was for someone to throw up on the crime scene - not that it’d be the first time.

As Closter stepped out, Ethan heard the buzz of bystanders just outside the door. “Jesus,” someone said. “I’ve never seen so much blood …”

“I heard they can’t find her head,” said another.

The voices faded as the door closed. How eagerly people swarm to violence and death. Like ants to a piece of rotten fruit. It unsettled Ethan.

The room was hot, intensifying the reek of blood, of innards - of death. Dozens of flies crawled lazily over the body and more were landing. Ethan’s own stomach roiled a little. He hadn’t been sick at a scene since his earliest days on the force and he didn’t intend to buckle now, but it wasn’t easy. He’d never seen anything this theatrical; it looked like the police photographs from the Jack the Ripper crimes. But in horrible living color. He moved closer and stared down at the woman on the bed. Two stumps of spine glistened white, jutting out of the mess that was the rest of her. It was as if someone had unzipped her skin, reached inside, and yanked her backbone out. And they’d managed to snap it in half in the process.

“Whoever did this was sending a message.” Deputy Grayson was crouched beside the bed, his gaze roving over the late Ms. Keller. A former quarterback in his early-forties with broad shoulders and the earliest beginnings of a beer gut, Nick Grayson was one of Ethan’s best.

Ethan nodded. “I’ll agree with you on that.”

Grayson’s gaze never left the victim. “A killer doesn’t cause a scene like this unless he wants to make a statement.”

The question was, who was the killer, and what was he trying to say? “No sign of any weapons?”

Grayson shook his head and Ethan noticed new gray at the deputy’s temples. This was the kind of work that would do that. “Nope. Nothing.”

Ethan had figured as much. There was something about this scene that didn’t work.

The woman was tangled in white sheets, reminding him, morbidly, of an old barber’s pole. Red and white, red and white, blood and bandages, blood and bandages. He walked around the bed, seeing it from all angles. Every crime scene told a story, you just had to know how to read it. And this one, Ethan was certain, was one hell of a tale.

The more he saw, the more certain he became of two things. One, Rose’s killer was not human, and two, it was not an animal, either. Not in the usual sense, anyway. He bent and moved the victim’s hair back a little, careful not to disturb anything. He saw the bite marks on her neck that confirmed his suspicions. He’d have them checked against dental records and if he was lucky - which was highly unlikely - maybe they’d catch the perp fast.

There were also places along her shoulders and arms where the skin was torn. Someone went to town on her. The thick sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach went colder.

“I’ve been trying to figure that out, too,” said Grayson, watching him. “They’re bites.”

Ethan’s knees popped as he stood and moved to the window. He pinched back the blood-spattered white curtains and stared down. Outside, the Ivory Heights apartment complex was already surrounded by a swarm of onlookers, and it was only going to get worse. Rose Keller’s one-bedroom, second-story apartment would soon be a frenzy of technicians, detectives, plainclothes, more uniforms, a photographer, and videographer. There was no dignity in death, he thought as he looked at the shredded body on the bed. Especially not when you die like that.

Ethan decided it was time to pay Michael Ward another visit.


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BIO

Alistair Cross was born in the western United States and began penning his own stories by the age of eight. First published by Damnation Books in 2012, Alistair has since published several more novels. In 2012, he joined forces with international bestselling author, Tamara Thorne, and as Thorne & Cross, they write the successful Gothic series, The Ghosts of Ravencrest. Their newest novel, The Cliffhouse Haunting, is an Amazon Best Seller, and this summer also sees the release of Alistair’s solo novel, The Crimson Corset.

In 2014, Alistair and Tamara began the internet radio show, Thorne & Cross: Haunted Nights LIVE! Haunted Nights LIVE! premiered to great acclaim and has featured such guests as Chelsea Quinn Yarbro of the Saint-Germain vampire series, Charlaine Harris of the Southern Vampire Mysteries and basis of the HBO series True Blood, Jeff Lindsay, author of the Dexter novels that inspired the hit television series, Jay Bonansinga of the Walking Dead series, Laurell K. Hamilton of the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter novels, and New York Times best sellers Christopher Rice, Jonathan Maberry, and Christopher Moore.

Alistair is currently at work on several projects including a solo novel and a new Thorne & Cross collaboration. His influences include the works of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, John Saul, Ira Levin, and William Peter Blatty.

Media Links

website: alistaircross.com

blog: alistaircross.wordpress.com

twitter: @crossalistair

Facebook: facebook.com/alistaircoss

Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/6517308.Alistair_Cross

Buy links:

The Crimson Corset: http://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Corset-Vampires-Cove-Book-ebook/dp/B0139K6N7Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1438671456&sr=8-2&keywords=crimson+corset

The Cliffhouse Haunting: http://www.amazon.com/Cliffhouse-Haunting-Tamara-Thorne-ebook/dp/B00VL9LUC6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438206219&sr=8-1&keywords=cliffhouse


The Ghosts of Ravencrest: http://www.alistaircross.com/My-Library

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Welcome to Crimson Cove

Sheltered by ancient redwoods overlooking the California coast, the cozy village of Crimson Cove has it all: sophisticated retreats, fine dining, and a notorious nightclub, The Crimson Corset. It seems like a perfect place to relax and get close to nature. But not everything in Crimson Cove is natural.

When Cade Colter moves to town, he expects it to be peaceful to the point of boredom. But he quickly learns that after the sun sets and the fog rolls in, the little tourist town takes on a whole new kind of life – and death.

Darkness at the Edge of Town

Renowned for its wild parties and history of debauchery, The Crimson Corset looms on the edge of town, inviting patrons to sate their most depraved desires and slake their darkest thirsts. Proprietor Gretchen VanTreese has waited centuries to annihilate the Old World vampires on the other side of town and create a new race – a race that she alone will rule. When she realizes Cade Colter has the key that will unlock her plan, she begins laying an elaborate trap that will put everyone around him in mortal danger.

Blood Wars

The streets are running red with blood, and as violence and murder ravage the night, Cade must face the darkest forces inside himself, and perhaps even abandon his own humanity, in order to protect what he loves.

“Put Bram Stoker in a giant cocktail shaker, add a pinch of Laurell K. Hamilton, a shot of John Carpenter, and a healthy jigger of absinthe, and you’ll end up with Alistair Cross’s modern Gothic chiller, “The Crimson Corset” - a deliciously terrifying tale that will sink its teeth into you from page one.”

- Jay Bonansinga, New York Times Bestselling author of THE WALKING DEAD: INVASION and LUCID

“This drop-deadly tale of seduction and terror will leave you begging to be fanged … ”

- Tamara Thorne, international bestselling author of HAUNTED and MOONFALL

“I couldn’t put this book down. It’s got more hooks than a day boat out of San Pedro Harbor!”

- QL Pearce, bestselling author of SCARY STORIES FOR SLEEP-OVERS

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Interview with David K. Bryant

2/7/2015

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Tread Carefully on the Sea by David K. Bryant

Solstice Publishing



1. Greetings, can you tell us a little bit about your history and how your work has evolved up to this point?


One of the biggest thrills of my life has been taking up my new pastime of writing books. I would never have guessed it could be so stimulating and satisfying. I was a journalist and public relations executive so I should have realized earlier in life that my penchant for the pen could be extended to authorship but that actually took until I was 68 years old.

2. What genre, or genres, do you write?


Historical fiction.

3.  What is your latest book called and what is it about?


My only published book is Tread Carefully on the Sea. It’s set in the pirate-infested Caribbean of the 1700s. The Royal Navy is just beginning to get the upper hand when the worst of the buccaneers, Captain Flint, commits his worst crime – and makes his biggest mistake – by kidnapping the Governor of Jamaica’s niece. That leads to all sorts of drama including conspiracy, murder, cannonades, bare-knuckles boxing, disease and a devastating storm.

BTW – Anybody who recognizes the name Captain Flint will have guessed that Tread Carefully on the Sea is a prequel to the great classic Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.

4. What was the inspiration for your book? When did you first get the idea for
Tread Carefully on the Sea?

I had my first go at a book some time in the 1970s. It had been in my head since childhood that a prequel was needed to Treasure Island. So I wrote one. I wasn’t impressed with it, put it in a drawer and forgot about it. Then years later, my schoolboy son Matthew read Treasure Island and I told him I’d written the prequel. At his request I read it to him. When he was in his 20s he asked to read it again. I was ashamed to give him the old sub-standard job so I started re-writing. This time I did all the historical research and gradually put together a bunch of characters and a plot that, I thought, worked. It became my first published book, Tread Carefully on the Sea.

5. How long did it take you to write it? What is your writing process like?


I think the writing took three years. It did flow reasonably well but a lot of that time was spent on research. There was so much to get right: places; 18th Century events and customs; clothes; ships; weapons; currency; food; medicine. The list goes on.

My writing process is to grab time when I can, which can be anytime during night or day, but I work in two-hour stints. I don’t have a longer concentration span. Whenever I get stuck on something, I escape to emails or social media, then return to the book.

6. What can we expect from you in the future?


Three more books. (Yes I’m working on them all at once.) They’re all historical novels but the similarity ends there. The one nearest completion is a story set in ancient Rome. Like Tread Carefully on the Sea, it took an enormous amount of research. It’s based around actual events as recorded by the Roman chronicler, Livy. Another of the books is set in the 1960s, a decade rightly known for its social revolution. But there was a darker side: everyone thought the world was about to end and the drama takes place against the background of the UFO hysteria of that time. The third book is a police/crime thriller set in the 1970s.

7. Among your own books, have you a favorite book?  Favorite hero or heroine?


Hard question. I’ve enjoyed writing all four books that I’ve worked on so far. I will tell you my favorite character. When I wrote my Roman story, “The Dust of Cannae” (not yet published), I had this nagging feeling that there was something missing. Then I realized that it was not something, but somebody. This woman came into my head and told me she should be in the narrative. So I obliged. She then told me by telepathy what her role would be and she just kept on driving the story. I don’t think I have a psychic receptor but it really was like someone else had taken control to the extent of becoming a co-author. Maybe she was real and had waited more than two thousand years for her story to be told (?)

8. Do you plot ahead of time, or do you let the plot emerge as you write?


I get an idea for the premise, then think about the people who would be involved. From that, I start writing – with no idea where the story’s going to go. Half the fun is finding out for myself what’s going to happen. I try to draw believable characters, put them in situations, and then I talk to them. I ask them how they would react in those circumstances. They answer me and the action follows from that. It might lead to tragedy or a happy ending. I won’t know until I get there. So it’s rather like writing the book and reading it at the same time.

9. Who are some of your favorite authors to read? Favorite books?


My favorite author is the oldest one in the world (I think). He was Homer, writer of The Iliad and The Odyssey. I believe those works set the standard for what a book should be and it’s still today’s formula. Scenario, heroes, villains, ups and downs, love, cruelty, tragedy, triumph, conspiracy, tension, what’s gonna happens, fast-flowing prose, all wrapped up in a beginning, middle and end.

My other favorite books are:

·       The Early History of Rome by Livy (fascinating and the best historical record of the kingdom, republic and empire)

·       Warriors of the Dragon Gold by Ray Bryant (my brother)

·       Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

10. Where can we buy your books?

http://amzn.to/1zs9ebu

http://solsticepublishing.com/tread-carefully-on-the-sea/

Any links you'd like to include:

website/blog:
www.davidkbryant.com
twitter: @DavidKBryant
Facebook:
facebook.com/DavidKBryant.author
Buy link: http://amzn.to/1zs9ebu


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Character Interview

Character name: Captain Flint
Book name: Tread Carefully on the Sea


 
“Captain Flint, it’s good of you to give time to a journalist. Do you mind if I ask you some blunt questions?”

"Not if you don't mind some sharp answers."

“Okay, I see you have your cutlass there and I wouldn't want you to answer me with that. Anyway, first question. Could you describe yourself?”

"I have black eyes and I'm told they're quite intimidating. They're on you now."

“Yes, uh, they're quite charming. Could we change the subject? I hear you're quite a sportsman.”

"I enjoy archery. I'm a bit tired of conventional targets. In “Tread Carefully on the Sea” I shoot a man in the head."

“Oh, that must have been in self defense.”

"No, I just wanted to make an example of him."

“It must be hazardous being a pirate but I expect you get a lot of fan mail.”

"Quite a few ghosts seem to have a sneaking respect for me."

“Well that is unusual. Who do you most admire?”

"Anyone who's still alive after I meet them."

“Um, Captain Flint, you don't mind me being here, do you? I mean, I'll leave if I'm taking up too much of your time.”

"Too late. We've up-anchored since you arrived."

“Oh dear, where are we going?”

"Ultimate destination - Hell. But before that we'll be making a stop at Purgatory."



Biography
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Tell me a little about yourself.

I had a good career. I was in the team that launched one of the UK’s first computer-prepared daily newspapers. Later I moved from journalism into public relations and had the privilege of working on behalf of Margaret Thatcher. I promoted one of her revolutionary parliamentary Bills and I also handled communications with the world’s media after the bombing in Brighton that so easily could have killed her.

Where do you live?
 
A small town called Frome in Somerset, England. It’s a traditional market town with quaint streets and a lot going on. One of England’s best cities, Bath, is 30 minutes’ drive away and I’m quite near the famous Glastonbury. It’s a lovely spot.

Who is the most important person in your life?


My wife, Stephanie.

What was your childhood like?


My parents were the best of people. I felt secure, although we moved around a lot. I spent some of my early years in England, some in Australia. I was good at English but dumb with numbers. I use a calculator for anything beyond 1+1. My two brothers were much older than me and frequent moves meant that I didn’t establish many friendships, so I think I became quite self-sufficient and a bit of a loner.


Here’s an anecdote which I think captures our family atmosphere:

I was once sent to bed without my night-time drink for some misdemeanor at an early age. My parents independently took pity on me and met each other on the stairs, both having decided to sneak that night-time drink to my bedroom.

Of all the people you've met, who would you LEAST like to be stuck in an elevator with?


I won’t name names. The answer is any except three of my former bosses.

What is the most important thing in your life? What do you value most?


I am blessed with a wonderful family. My wife Stephanie and I have been married for forty years. We are proud of our two children Matthew and Melanie, grandsons Henry and Toby, son-in-law Jamie and daughter-in-law Fleur.

I have a big brother Dennis and I cherish the memory of my other brother, Ray. He was also an author, his biggest accomplishment being a story based on the Bayeux Tapestry called Warriors of the Dragon Gold. It’s still available and is a damn good read.

His daughter, Jenny, is one of my favorite people.

What is your biggest fear?

Being stuck in an elevator with any except three of my former bosses. I’d probably murder the others.

What is the most important thing that ever happened to you? Why?


Going into journalism. That led not only to a satisfying career but also to meeting Stephanie, who became my wife. That led in turn to the births of our children and of our grandchildren. That career choice sparked a lot of good things.

Do you have any special talents or abilities?


I’ve dabbled in all sorts of stuff – guitar playing, horse riding, cycling. Never been any good at any of them.

How do you see your future?


Writing (and re-writing, what a chore) and traveling as much as I’m able.

If you could spend the day with someone you admire (living or dead or imaginary), who would you pick?


Elvis Presley. Then I’d be with someone who had a positive nature, a great sense of humor, would buy me a car, and keep me entertained all day with his songs.

If you had a free day with no responsibilities, how would you spend it?


·       Get up late.

·       Breakfast and coffee in dressing gown.

·       Bathroom stuff around midday.

·       Go to beach, forest or mountains.

·       Have lunch (around 4pm) in a pleasant but not expensive restaurant.

·       Go home and have a nap (maybe 5.30-6.30).

·       Do two hours marketing.

·       Dinner at home at 8.30.

·       Do three hours writing (9pm-midnight).

·       Read a good book, sitting up in bed.

·       Go to sleep at 2 or 3 a.m.

Where can we find out more about you? 

www.davidkbryant.com All the aspects of me are there, including the crazy side. (See the page “Nonsense I Have Written”.)



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Tread Carefully on the Sea


The Governor of Jamaica organized a splendid 21st birthday party for his adopted daughter, Jessica. However, the best surprise for her came the following day when her admirer, Captain Michael Townsend of the Royal Navy, asked her to marry him. Meanwhile, Captain Flint, one of the most successful buccaneers of the colonial era, decided to take the fortune he had made from twenty years of piracy and retire to a secret place where he would be out of the reach of justice. That’s what should have happened. But Flint was persuaded to raise yet more money through one last crime; a crime more daring and dangerous than any he had previously committed. His men would kidnap Jessica and add her ransom money to their pensions. The kidnap leads to a desperate chase across the Caribbean and all the horrors of 18th Century life at sea for Jessica and those who try to help her, while Captain Flint himself must face the threat of both the hangman and those within his own crew who plot against him.

COVER ARTIST- jerry@authorsupport.com

EXCERPTS from Tread Carefully on the Sea


As the shirt was removed, her eyes came level with a huge tattoo of an eagle on his chest. Ridiculously, that gave her renewed terror, as though the tattoo was worse than the man. There was certainly menace from the eagle. It stared at her, its talons outstretched and its wings spread wide. It looked prepared to pounce right out of his chest and claw at her face.

**

The cry that would have brought forth a dozen soldiers was about to leave the governor’s tongue – but remained unleashed as the pirate warned: “I wouldn’t do that, Governor, for the sake of your niece’s health.”

**

“Did you get the name of the ship?” demanded the governor.

“It was the Walrus, Sir,” the messenger replied.

“Captain Flint,” said Trelawny, and for the moment that was all he did say.

**

One of the stories that had evoked within the Royal Navy a sneaking admiration for the pirate chieftain was that he had captured a big Spanish galleon and made it his own. Now Townsend could see in front of him the confirmation of that audacity. The big ship sat on the ocean like she owned it.

**

“Britain came to this part of the world to find riches. It was very successful in doing so but it had a major problem. It was shipping around so many slaves and so much merchandise that it didn’t have sufficient military resources to protect its new-found wealth. So what did it do about the policing of its trade routes and the protection of places like Jamaica? It found it convenient to encourage the people you would call pirates…You had better hope that the King never turns against the Royal Navy in the same way that he turned against the privateers.

**

Reeling and with blood dripping down his face, O’Hara got up on one knee, then the other. By the time he was on his feet, Hugh was charging forward like a stag in the rutting season. Another head butt was imminent.

**

Flint bent his knees and placed his hands on them so that his face came level with Townsend’s. “That’s it, then” barked the pirate captain. “You don’t agree to my proposal. I don’t agree to yours. Our fates are intertwined.”

**

She didn’t close her eyes and her brain pitifully tried to distract her from reality by registering that the gunman was left-handed. His finger was going back with the trigger. Spontaneously, she said a few words of her native Ashanti. The phrase had been taught to her by Queen Nanny: “Do not fear death any more than you fear life.” If Libby was going to die, she wanted those to be the last words she said.


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Tread Carefully on the Sea
Solstice Publishing
www.davidkbryant.com
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Interview with Bernard Foong (a.k.a. Young)

1/23/2015

0 Comments

 
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No Distance Between Us

An Excerpt from A Harem Boy’s Saga - I – Initiation; a memoir by Young.

A Harem Boy’s Saga is a series of seven volumes.

young@aharemboysaga.com

www.aharemboysaga.com











1.    Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Young alias Bernard Foong is, first and foremost, a sensitivist. He finds nuance in everything. To experience the world he inhabits is an adventure which is mystical, childlike and refreshing. He has a rare ability to create beauty in a unique fashion. His palettes have been material, paint, words and human experiences. By Christine Maynard (screenwriter and novelist).

I was born into a privileged Malaysian Chinese family. Following my brothers' footsteps, I was sent to an exclusive boarding school in England. It is there that I was inducted into a clandestine organization, E.R.O.S. The Enlightened Royal Oracle Society. For four years, unbeknownst to my family, I was willingly and happily part of a Harem.

2.    What do you do when you are not writing?

My hobbies are Zumba, swimming, reading and doing creative projects. Although I’m a semi-retired fashion designer, I still keep in touch with the international fashion scene; especially Asian designers.

3.    Do you have a day job as well?

My day job is writing and promoting/marketing my memoirs/books.

4.    When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I first started writing in 2010. I had a nagging calling within to document my unique adolescent life and education.

I believe my geographical location (being in spiritual and beautiful Maui, Hawaii) inspired me to pen my seven book series.

Now that I’m semi-retired from my once very active fashion lifestyle, it is time for me to reflect upon my unique early experiences and to inform the world what my positive experiences in the Middle Eastern harems were like.

I believe my early experiences shaped my adult life to who I am today.

I finished A Harem Boy’s Saga – book I – Initiation; a memoir by Young
a year later – in 2011.

5.    How did you choose the genre you write in?

I did not choose the genre. It chose me.

6.    Where do you get your ideas?

Remembrance of things past. Luckily I’ve an abundance of photographs, diaries, journals to spur me to remember what transpired during those early years of my Middle Eastern harem experiences.

Although, I’ve taken creative liberties when it comes to the individual dialogues spoken by the various characters in my autobiography. I remember the gist of what transpired.

I’ve also changed the names and places to protect the identities of those involved in the secret society and the unique school and Arab Households I was in service at.

7.    Do you ever experience writer’s block?

I seldom get writer’s block because I let my thoughts flow naturally out of me as I remember the events. Although I cannot remember the actual dialogues spoken – I remember the gist of what was being said.

I also have an abundance of old photographs taken during those early years, documenting my life then. I use these to trigger my memories to document the events in the books.

I do need complete silence when I write – which is 8 – 10 hours daily.

8.    Do you work with an outline, or just write?

I just write. I’m very disciplined when it comes to setting time for my daily writing schedule.

9.    Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

The Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by Anne Rice was one of the influences because I have a presage that Ms. Rice went through a similar harem experiences like I did.

Anderson Cooper 360 documentary on the devastating treatment of effeminate boys also influenced me to tell my story.

The abundance of school bullying and shooting prompted me to tell of my unique education.

10. Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

The first two books in A Harem Boy’s Saga series were self-published. The easy part is the writing but when it comes to marketing books, it’s an entirely different ball game.

I’m lucky to have found my literary agent, Emerantia Antonia Parnall-Gilbert (Gilbert Literary Agency) after almost 6 months of non-stop searching for a publisher and agent. I wrote to close to 160 publishers/agents before I had a positive response from Gilbert Literary Agency.

I’m lucky to have Solstice Publishing interested in my autobiography to publish the entire 7 book series. It was Emerantia who hooked me up with Solstice Publishing.

11. If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?

I would have found myself a publisher and literary agent and not self-published.

12. How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?

Through the usual channels: Twitter, Facebook, Authors/Books promotional organizations. Entering book award competitions and joining international book fairs. Connecting with book clubs, etc.

13. Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?

No! The books/series I’m currently writing is what I love doing and it’s an inner calling form a higher power to tell my story to the world.

14. Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

I’ve 2 upcoming books:

·     No Distance Between Us is a coming-of-age gay true love story (based on my sexual experience). It is a provocative story is about a young man (me) who was initiated into a clandestine sexual society. He was spirited away to the Middle East from his UK boarding school. He attended the Bahriji School (Oasis) in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for serving in Harems for the wealthy and elite.

It is also a love story between the young man (me) and his ‘Valet’ who served as his chaperone and mentor during the boy’s Harem service.

·     A Harem Boy’s Saga – IV – Turpitude; a memoir by Young is the continual saga of A Harem Boy’s Saga – I – Initiation, II – Unbridled and III – Debauchery.

15. Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

My memoirs are based on my own experiences. Although, I’ve taken creative liberties when it comes to the individual dialogues spoken by the various characters in my autobiography. I remember the gist of what transpired.

I’ve also changed the names and places to protect the identities of those involve in the secret society and the unique school and Arab Households I was in service at.

16. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

The erotic scenes because I remember the situations very clearly and am able to express my emotions and feelings I felt at the time with all my sexual partners and lovers.

17. How did you come up with the title?

It comes to me through a higher source. I just having this knowing what the title for each book is going to be either before, during or after the book is completed. It’s my guardian angel whispering in my ear on what to write and the names for each chapter and books. I listen to my inner voice and heed its messages.

18. What projects are you working on now?

I’m currently working on A Harem Boy’s Saga – IV – Turpitude; a memoir by Young.

My Yuletide short story book No Distance Between Us (a true to life coming-of-age gay love story) was released on Nov. 21st, 2014.

I’m also working with Solstice Publishing on having A Harem Boy’s Saga series made into audio books.

I’m also working on Book II – Unbridled screen treatment and overview for Emerantia, my agent, to submit to producers to consider A Harem Boy’s Saga series being made into films/TV mini-series and Stage Musical productions.

Atop of all of the above, I'm collaborating with an international screenwriter. We are adapting A Harem Boy's Saga - I - Initiation into a screenplay.

19. Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

I’m continuously doing that with A Harem Boy’s Saga series.

20. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?

I don’t dwell on negativity, only positivity. Therefore the best compliment would be:

5.0 out of 5 stars OMG, OMG, OMG - I can't believe this is a real story!, September 22, 2014

By Wendy Acosta - See all my reviews

 
This review is for Initiation (A Harem Boy's Saga Book 1) (Kindle Edition)

Never have I read a story that has me exclaiming "OMG, OMG, OMG" every few chapters. This autobiographical story shares the intensely personal journey of a young boy as he comes of age in the midst of a male harem in the Middle East. He experiences all the things that forbidden and taboo...you know those "unmentionable elephants in the room" that we are warned about from an early age. I had to read this real life adventure to find out how messed up and damaged he must be. Imagine my surprise to meet an emotionally healthy young man who successfully grabs all life has to offer and does it with an innocence that is simply beautiful.

Don't read this book if you aren't ready for your ingrained beliefs and values to be challenged. Don't read this book if you are not ready to delve into a side of our global society that is well hidden from most. Don't read this book unless you too are ready to step into a new adventure. Initiation will change how you view the world.

Well done, Bernard.


 
Wendy had summed up my series excellently and this is exactly what I like to say to my readers.

21. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Stay focused. My modus operandi: the 3Ps: Perseverance, Persistence & Patience.

Be diligent about setting a time frame/goal to finish your manuscript.

Not to worry about what you are planning to write. Once you begin with the first word, you’ll know what the next word is going to be. When I write, it’s like channeling a separate spirit/entity within my person. Thoughts flow automatically through me and I write what comes naturally out of my hand.

22. Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Historical accuracy is an important factor to consider when I’m writing memoirs/autobiographies and biographies. I like spending time doing research and learning/discovering new techniques in photo-shop/enhancements.

Traveling broadens my mind. My life partner and I are planning an up-coming road trip to the S. of France.

These are some of the goals I hope to achieve through

A Harem Boy's Saga:


·      Provide Tolerance to Sissy Boys by understanding parents/peers and the community.

Anderson Cooper 360 documentary on the devastating treatment of effeminate boys influence me to tell my story.

·      Bullying can be avoided through Big Brother/Big Sister volunteer programs in school or outside school system. Older students acting as mentors to younger students.

·      Gay Adolescent Tolerance – parents/child/siblings relationship issues.

Support/mentorship program to all parties involved to foster understanding and acceptance of Gay kids.

·      Provide an Alternative Educational System;

Understanding Big Brother/adolescent mentorship programs in schools, BB as protector to keep younger kids from being bullied.

·      Human Relationship Building Program;

Between parents/teachers and young students on sexual topics/issues, especially when adolescent are just discovering their sexuality. They can be guided on a healthy and honest sexual journey instead of “don’t ask, don’t tell” hide it behind the closet policy.

 

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No Distance Between Us

An Excerpt from A Harem Boy’s Saga - I – Initiation; a memoir by Young.

There are 7 books to this series.

young@aharemboysaga.com

www.aharemboysaga.com

A Harem Boy’s Saga is a series of seven volumes.













For further information please visit or contact:


Bernard Foong (a.k.a. Young)

www.aharemboysaga.com

young@aharemboysaga.com

Emerantia Antonia Parnall-Gilbert: Gilbert Literary Agency)


hawkspurrproductions@gmail.com

Melissa Miller: Solstice Publishing

solsticepublishing@live.com


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Biography

Young alias Bernard Foong is, first and foremost, a sensitivist. He finds nuance in everything. To experience the world he inhabits is an adventure which is mystical, childlike and refreshing. He has a rare ability to create beauty in a unique fashion. His palettes have been material, paint, words and human experiences.


By Christine Maynard (screenwriter and novelist).

Bernard Foong (designer) – A brief history  

Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At the age of 8, he was assisting his aunt and cousin, learning the art of sewing and fabrics/colors matching. He attended an exclusive private boarding school in the United Kingdom before obtaining his Diploma in Fashion Design at the Harrow College of Art & Technology in London, England.  He went on to complete his Master of Design at the Royal College of Art & Design, London, England. During his college years he won several international fashion awards and was already retailing bridal and evening dresses to several well known department stores in England. Liberty of London, Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols to name a few that carried his designs. His Royal College of Art graduation wedding/evening wear collection was sold to Liberty of London and displayed in their store windows for the entire month of June that year.

For four years, he worked for Liberty’s bridal department as their in-house designer until a trip to Hong Kong, while working on a freelance project for ‘Bird’s’(casual wear) company, he was recruited by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as their Fashion professor for the next 6 years. During his stay in Hong Kong, he freelanced for numerous fashion companies. From designing casual wear, swimwear, lingerie, and fur garments, men’s wear, bridal and evening fashions to accessories (bags, shoes, and head-wear). He also participated and organized numerous fashion shows, events, functions, and presentations in the Asia Pacific region.

Working for Keys Far East Hong Kong as chief lingerie designer - travelling extensively to the United States, he was soon  recruited as an Associate Fashion Design/Illustration Professor to the University of Wisconsin, Madison and also lectured at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design for a couple of years.

Foong was then appointed as the Fashion Development Manager by an established department store – Parkson Grand (22 stores in Malaysia and one in Shanghai, China). Producing under the label, Natural Life by Bernard Foong, he designed casual-wear collections for the Parkson Grand’s flagship store in Kuala Lumpur. After a couple of years later, he was invited by the Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore to join their design school to establish a Fashion Design department. For two years, he assisted several founding members of the design school - working on the fashion department’s teaching curriculum.

The Fitzgerald Theatre Department, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Oahu, Hawaii awarded a full scholarship for Foong to complete his second Master of Art in Theatre Costuming. Now a resident on the Island of Maui, he has assisted many charity organizations in their fund raising events with his extravagant fashion and performance shows/presentations. In 2005, he and his partner, Mr. Walter Jay Bissett opened Fire Dragon Bistro Orient & Design Shop. He also designs costumes/fashions for numerous theatrical productions in Hawaii and abroad.

Appointed as chief lingerie designer for Cerie International Limited – Hong Kong, his lingerie designs can be found in major department stores in Canada and the United Kingdom.

He showcased the BERNARD FOONG R-T-W collections and BERNARD FOONG @ Modern Classic Ltd. (an established – Hong Kong bridal & evening wear company) collections in Hong Kong. His 2008 & 2009 bridal/evening/bridal lingerie fashion show, “Grace” & “Coming Up Roses” were premiered at Hong Kong Fashion Week in July 2007 and January 2008 respectively at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center, garnering positive interest in many Asian press reviews, including a China nationwide television broadcast of his latest collection. Aika (International Opera Singer) wore several Bernard Foong special occasion dresses at her Japan & European tour in September & October 2009.

Foong was the chief Creative Director for Official (Special Occasion fashion manufacturing company) Guangzhou, China  producing – BERNARD FOONG Couture (specialty one-of-a-kind creations), White (RTW - Wedding/Special Occasion wear), Foxy Cute (Smart Casual/Cocktail wear), SexZ  (decorative bustier) & Diva Bitch (sexual lingerie inner/outer-wear) collections.

Besides working on his regular haute couture, R-T-W and lingerie collections he is a visiting consultant/advisor for:

·      Pivot Point fashion college, Chengdu, China.

·      Hong Kong Design Institute (fashion department), Hong Kong, SAR.

·      Hong Kong Poly/U, Hong Kong (School of Apparel Design & Merchandising), SAR.

·      Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association, Hong Kong.

·      Singapore Temasek Polytechnic – School of Apparel Design & Merchandising (ADM), Singapore.

  Bernard is also writing his autobiography, a seven book series of Mr. Foong’s young life:

A Harem Boy’s Saga: A Memoir by Young.

This provocative story spanning 4 decades and 3 continents is about a boy who was sent to a very exclusive English boarding school in the 1960s where he was initiated into a clandestine sexual society and then spirited away to serve in wealthy and elite Middle Eastern harems ."

A Harem Boy’s Saga series is published by Solstice Publishing and is available in print and E-books internationally.

Out of his busy schedule, Bernard is also working on a mini series of three contemporary paintings for the Rathe Galleries in Dallas, Houston and soon to open gallery in Austin, Texas.

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A Harem Boy's Saga; A Memoir. Book 1 - INITIATION

This provocative story is about a young man who was initiated into a clandestine sexual society. He was spirited to the Middle East, from his UK boarding school. He attended the Bahriji School (Oasis,) in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for serving in Harems for the wealthy and elite.

It is also a love story between the young man and his ‘Valet’ who served as his chaperone and mentor during the boy’s Harem service.

Author’s note:

I had a privileged and unique upbringing in Malaysia, where I was known as a "sissy boy." Following in my brothers' footsteps, I was sent to an exclusive boarding school in England. It is there that I was inducted into a clandestine organization, E.R.O.S. The Enlightened Royal Oracle Society. For four years, unbeknownst to my family, I was willingly and happily part of a Harem.

My story has been kept under wraps for close to 45 years. The correct moment has arrived for me to make known my unique education.


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Unbridled is the sequel to Initiation - A provocative story about a young man who was initiated into a clandestine sexual society. He was spirited to the Middle East, from his UK boarding school. He attended the Bahriji School (Oasis,) in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for serving in Harems for the wealthy and elite.

It is also a love story between the young man, his ‘Big Brother’ and his ‘Valet’ who served as his chaperones and mentors during the boy’s Harem services.

This book follows the teenagers’ erotic and exotic adventures and experiences at their 2nd Arab Household Harem, the Sekham. They were apprentices and models, for the household patriarch’s controversial photography project, “Sacred Sex in Sacred Places”.

The author's experiences present facts that are truthful. Through these truths, which are often demonized by contemporary societies that deem such behaviors inappropriate, the author hopes to dispel condemnations and negativity which relate to his experiences. 

 

There are 5 - 7 volumes in A Harem Boy’s Saga series.


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“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

Lao Tzu


Debauchery is the triquel to A Harem Boy’s Saga, a provocative story about a young man who was initiated into a clandestine sexual society through his UK boarding school. From there, he was spirited to the Middle East to attend the Bahriji (Oasis) School in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for Harem services for the wealthy elite.

It is also a love story between the young man, his ‘Big Brother,’ and his ‘Valet,’ who served as his chaperones and mentors.

This book follows the teenagers’ erotic and exotic adventures and experiences at their third Arabian Household Harem, the Quwah. There, they became confidants to a prince, assistants in an international dance club venture, “Carousel,” and apprentices and models in a controversial photography project, “Sacred Sex in Sacred Places.”

This story is an account of the author’s experiences. Through these truths, often demonized by contemporary societies that deem such behaviors inappropriate, the author hopes to dispel condemnation and negativity related to sexuality, love, and personal freedom.

Links

A Harem Boy’s Saga Amazon sales site (E-books and Print books for Initiation, Unbridled and Debauchery
):

US amazon: http://amzn.to/1qmL75W
UK amazon:  http://amzn.to/1tUUU7Y

No Distance Between Us Amazon sales link:

US amazon: http://amzn.to/1Asn0fO

Website: http://www.aharemboysaga.com

Blog: http://bernardfoong.typepad.com/in_the_harem

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bfoong1

https://www.facebook.com/aharemboysaga

Twitter @aharemboysaga

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/haremboysaga/a-harem-boys-saga/ (contains adult contents)

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/trisf2013 (contains adult content)

Amazon Author's Page: http://www.amazon.com/A-Memoir-by-Young/e/B00CENKJKM

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2992700.Young 

Video trailer for all the 3 books in A Harem Boy's Saga series (conservative version): http://youtu.be/F0Lv80yhhq0 

Video trailer for INITIATION (sensual version): http://youtu.be/db3bTrN1v3I

Video trailer for UNBRIDLED (sensual version): http://youtu.be/6J4ewXGxl-U

Video trailer for DEBAUCHERY (sensual version):
http://youtu.be/y8g-hLjRJr8
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Interview with Glodwyn from The Magic World of Bracken Lea

5/27/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Magic World of Bracken Lea

Glodwyn the gnome is a bit of a rebel.  He lives and works in the ancient woodland. He is unusual amongst the Fairy Folk in enjoying the company of humans. His good-natured interest in their world seen through the eyes of his unknowing "friend", Walter the Stacker Truck Driver at the local factory, leads him to interfere in their affairs, with interesting results both for the Fairy Folk and humans. With his help, the Fairy Folk rescue a little boy from drowning, and save the life of an injured cat. A confused old lady collapses in the Wood while searching for the cat, and finds herself being entertained by fairy musicians while she awaits rescue.

Glodwyn raises the alarm when a baby’s mother is taken ill, and later helps prevent disaster at the baby’s Christening, when a bad fairy threatens the child’s happiness. They help a Leprechaun find his way home, and get a lost engagement ring back to its owner. Both unwitting humans and Fairy Folk work together to save nearby woodland from development. From arranging a litter-pick in the woods to finding a new wand for the Fairy Queen, it is a busy life for the Fairy Folk.

Today I'm happy to have Glodwyn stop by.
Picture
Character: Glodwyn
Book: _The Magic World of Bracken Lea
by Esma Race, illustrated by Veronica Castle.


Tell me a little about yourself?

I am a Gnome, and that means that I belong to the element called Earth, which is one of  the four elements, the others being...Fire, Water and Air. I can work Magic, as long as it involves anything to do with the Earth, I also enjoy interacting with humans, playing tricks, and having fun, I do work hard though caring for the woodlands, little creatures, other Fairy Folk, and on occasions humans.....I am happy, cheerful, and fun. 
 

Where do you live?

Bracken Lea Wood.

 
Who is the most important person in your life?

Celandine the Flower Fairy.
 

What was your childhood like?

I didn't have one, I was always as I am now, although I will fade away one day. 
 

Of all the people you've met, who would you LEAST like to be stuck in an elevator with?
 
Astrid the Fairy Queen.


What is the most important thing in your life? What do you value most?

The friendship of the other inhabitants of the ancient woodlands. Nature is what I value most.
 

What is your biggest fear?

Humans destroying the woods.
 

What is the most important thing that ever happened to you? Why?

Finding that I could communicate with humans, it gave me lots of ideas, and a chance to know how humans live, and how their minds work.


Do you have any special talents or abilities?
 
Magic.

 
How do you see your future?

More of the same.
 
If you could spend the day with someone you admire (living or dead or imaginary), who would you pick?
 
The Green Man.


If you had a free day with no responsibilities, how would you spend it?

Playing in the Fairy Band.

 
Where can we find out more about you?

https://www.facebook.com/esmarace or  http://raceesma.wix.com/esma-race
   
 
Biography

Esma Race was born and raised in the small Cheshire village of Weaverham.  She has a great love for the natural world, and has always been able to sense the nature spirits which feature in her stories. She is very interested in natural healing, and is a practising reflexologist in the North of England, where she lives with Geoff, her husband of 45 years.  She is a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and enjoys reading, walking, traveling, gardening, and English history



Excerpt from
The Magic World of Bracken Lea

Chapter One

Glodwyn the Gnome


    The factory car park overlooked Bracken Lea Wood, separated by a low wall. Once over the wall it was possible to slip and slide down the slope between the trees to the woods proper, or walk alongside the wall until the land became flatter, and it was easier to follow the pathways deep into the heart of the ancient woodland.
    Too small to be called a forest, Bracken Lea is, nonetheless, a fair sized wood, with a character all of its own. "A place of Magic," thought Glodwyn, the elemental, as he sat beneath the Silver Birch; "but I'm losing my touch…" His job was to care for the earth, but he had got too involved with the world of humans, spending too much time playing tricks in the factory.

    Only this morning, the Green Lady and the Fairy Queen had spoken to him about it. The Green Lady had threatened him with the Green Man. They were both earth elementals like himself.

    However, the Fairy Queen Astrid was of the element  Air,  and really Glodwyn didn't much like  her. "Floating  around up  there," he thought, "instead of getting on with things…"

    She had got involved with his misbehaviour, because the Elements all had to work together for the good of all, and Glodwyn neglecting his duties had been brought to her attention by the Foxglove Fairy, who thought herself very important anyway.
    Celandine, Glodwyn's best friend, was a Flower Fairy, and landed beside him, interrupting his daydream.

    "You" she said, turning her little pert face up to him "will end up working below ground, if you don't buck up, and what on earth do you do all day in that human place?"

    "I've got a human friend," said Glodwyn, much to Celandine's amazement. "He's called Walter, and he drives a stacker truck. I sit on his shoulder and put ideas into his head."
    "What sort of ideas? Daft ones, I suppose!" retorted Celandine.
    "WHAT ON EARTH!" exclaimed Glodwyn, jumping to his feet, whilst Celandine hovered just below the branches of the Silver Birch.
    Mayhem had come to Bracken Lea Wood, with all the birds creating an enormous racket.

    Blackbird  was  the loudest. "Human children! Human children! Trouble! Trouble! Trouble!"

***

    Tommy Slade should have been at school, not stomping around the woods, flattening the buttercups, giving the Buttercup Fairies a headache and frightening poor Mrs. Hedgehog to death.

    The pond in the middle of the woods was one of two. Tommy Slade was drawn to the still deep water, just as small boys have been drawn to water since time began.
    After time spent throwing stones into the water, Tommy decided to make a raft.
    Glodwyn and Celandine arrived just as disaster struck. The improvised raft floundered and the small boy was flung into the water. 
….....................

 
You can hear the first chapter read aloud by the illustrator, by going here:
http://raceesma.wix.com/esma-race#!audio-sample-and-video-/cqa7

The Magic World of Bracken Lea has received high praise from both educators and environmentalists for its general ethos of educating by example and empathy, as opposed to talking down to kids.

Author's website
Facebook
Listen to the first chapter!
Picture
The Magic World of Bracken Lea

Glodwyn the gnome is a bit of a rebel.  He lives and works in the ancient woodland. He is unusual amongst the Fairy Folk in enjoying the company of humans. His good-natured interest in their world seen through the eyes of his unknowing "friend", Walter the Stacker Truck Driver at the local factory, leads him to interfere in their affairs, with interesting results both for the Fairy Folk and humans. With his help, the Fairy Folk rescue a little boy from drowning, and save the life of an injured cat. A confused old lady collapses in the Wood while searching for the cat, and finds herself being entertained by fairy musicians while she awaits rescue.

Glodwyn raises the alarm when a baby’s mother is taken ill, and later helps prevent disaster at the baby’s Christening, when a bad fairy threatens the child’s happiness. They help a Leprechaun find his way home, and get a lost engagement ring back to its owner. Both unwitting humans and Fairy Folk work together to save nearby woodland from development. From arranging a litter-pick in the woods to finding a new wand for the Fairy Queen, it is a busy life for the Fairy Folk.

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Interview with Rival Gates

4/6/2014

0 Comments

 
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The Sapphire Crucible

Captured! In Sapphire Crucible (Book 2 of the Sapphire Chronicles) Linvin Grithinshield and his party find themselves prisoners on the maniacal Lord Mandrean and his Necromancer. The Emperor has a surprise for Linvin. He knows where the Red Sapphire is! In order to attain it he needs Linvin's help. With his family as hostages he has no choice but to help.  Now they must find a way to escape, find the Red Sapphire and make it home alive. Along the way they must fight ever-growing odds of survival.

Don't miss Quest for the Red Sapphire, Book 1 in the Sapphire Chronicles: on sale on Kindle for .99
Today I'm happy to have Rival Gates stop by.


1. Greetings, can you tell us a little bit about your history and how your work has evolved up to this point?

I was raised as the son of a teacher and an editor.  Being a writer was something I aspired to since childhood.  At the age of 13 I started work on The Sapphire Chronicles as a way to do something positive during a difficult time in my life.  The first draft of Quest for the Red Sapphire, Book 1 was hand written on binder paper.  As I advanced through school and life I read many great authors and learned a good deal about writing.  It took over thirty years of working on and off, but I finally published my work.


2. What genre, or genres, do you write?

I write Fantasy.  More specifically, I write Epic Fantasy.


3.  What is your latest book called and what is it about?

My new book is called The Sapphire Crucible.  It is the second installment of The Sapphire Chronicles.  It is the continuing tale of former general Linvin Grithinshield leading his uncle and cousins on a quest to find the mythical Red Sapphire before their evil enemies find the stone.  He must overcome unprecedented odds and fight for his life in a world of death and destruction.  Linvin has to find the gem first and escape with his family alive.


4. What was the inspiration for your book?

I drew inspiration from the work of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.  I was also an avid Dungeons and Dragons player as a teen.  It helped me expand my thoughts and think in medieval terms.  Creating dungeons of my own helped hone my skills as a writer.


5. Where can we buy your books?

You can find them at Amazon.com.


6. What can we expect from you in the future?

With The Sapphire Crucible just coming out I will be busy for some time with the promotion of the book.  The third installment in the series will be called Mandrean Revenge.


7. Among your own books, have you a favorite book?  Favorite hero or heroine?

The Sapphire Crucible is my favorite of my books.  It is intense and yet thought provoking.  As much as I love the main character, Linvin Grithinshield, I have a soft spot for Bander Greenlith.  He is a simple elf who cares more about food than wealth.  Bander will never blow you away with his intelligence, but he is able to see through all the complications people create in order to see the simple truth in a situation.  He is fearless and loyal to a fault.  My favorite heroine is easily Miri.  Here is a beautiful princess who acts nothing like one.  She is strong willed, smart and a good fighter when called upon.  She is really going to surprise some people who think they have the book figured out early.


8. Do you plot ahead of time, or do you let the plot emerge as you write?

I definitely plot ahead of time.  I want my story to flow together in a logical sequence.  That takes planning.  When I just sit down and write without much of a plan I find there are important elements left out of the story.  Then I have to go back and find a way to squeeze it into the story.  In the end I am never satisfied.  Preparation is the key to a good story for me. 


9. Who are some of your favorite authors to read? Favorite books?

Aside from the authors mentioned previously, I have enjoyed the work of David Eddings, Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov.


10. What would be your ultimate goal as a writer?

As a writer I want to touch as many lives as possible.  Just as I was inspired to use my own voice, I hope to influence others to tell their own stories.  That would be a great accomplishment.


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Biography

I was born in Port Huron, MI and was the youngest of four surviving children.  At the age of five my Father took a position as a magazine editor in Toronto, Ontario Canada.  We moved to a large city just outside Toronto called Mississauga.  The different cultures and demographics to which I was exposed formed many of the ideas for my story.
 
When I was thirteen, my Father’s declining health forced him out of work and our family struggled.  It was at that time that I decided to channel my negative energy into a constructive purpose.  I set out to write a short story about a magical gem called the Red Sapphire.  My brothers teased me that such a stone was simply a ruby.  That irony was part of the attraction for me.  After all, who would be writing about a Red Sapphire?  Years went by and we moved down to my Father’s home town of Harrow, Ontario on the shores of Lake Erie.  It was a drastic change from city life and I found myself retreating more and more into my ever growing story.  By age fifteen I had a two-hundred page hand written manuscript.
 
Advancing from high school to college at Michigan State University there was little time for writing and the project sat in a drawer in my parent’s home.  In spite of my lack of attention to writing, every night I would fall asleep working out details of the book and the series to follow.

I met a wonderful woman at Michigan State who agreed after graduation to become my wife.  As we started our family I began a career in retail management and sales.  For over twenty years I excelled in the field and even incorporated some of my knowledge into the book.  I hold my position in the greatest esteem.

While I rewrote the story several times on my computer, I did not attempt to publish it until the longest supporter of my writing, my Mother, became terminally ill.  She told me the last time I saw her how proud she was of the story I had created and made me promise to publish it and share it with the world.  With the loving support of my wife, our three children and the help of the good people at Solstice Publishing, I am fulfilling that promise.


Excerpt from The Sapphire Crucible


    “Sergeant Hugon...these are the Elves taken prisoner at the river crossing,” the Human Captain stated as he dropped a rolled scroll on the table. “They are not to be mistreated.”
    Hugon angrily opened the document and struggled to read its contents. Then he began to laugh. Moving the parchment over to a lantern on the desk, he set the orders ablaze. “That’s what I think of your orders. I do as I please with my prisoners.”
    The Captain drew his sword. Hugon stood quickly and took hold of his club. The other goblins in the tower drew their weapons and rallied behind the Sergeant. In spite of the insurmountable odds against him, the Captain held his position.
    “I want you to acknowledge that you have taken custody of the prisoners,” the Captain said with his blade pointed directly at Hugon’s heart. “You will be accountable for any deviation of the orders from this point forth.”
    The Goblin Master snorted and answered, “I have them now, Human. Now be about your business. I wouldn’t want you to get your pretty uniform dirty.”
    The Captain looked at the jailor with disdain and sheathed his weapon. “Goblin scum,” he branded as he turned and left.
    After the Captain exited, the gates were closed and Hugon turned his attention to Linvin and his family. Using one hand for each, he picked up the twins by the chest and examined them. “So these are the Dangerous Elves that everyone is in fear of? Ha.” Hugon threw them aside and looked at the others. “I presume you are Anvar Greenlith. The paper said you were not to be unchained under any conditions. Seems you’re some sort of Magician or somethin’. You look mighty old for anyone to be scared of you.” He shoved Anvar to the ground and stepped on him with his foot. “I could just squash you like a worm. You’re nothin’ but a feeble old elf.” He began to slowly press down on Anvar with his foot.
    Linvin could not stand the sight. “Leave him alone, Gutter-Rat,” Linvin cried angrily.
    Hugon removed his foot from Anvar and turned his attention to Linvin. With two fists full of Linvin’s shirt, Hugon lifted him into the air and drew his face close. The great elf was weak and sick but still stubborn. He stared straight back at the monstrous creature.
    “So you’re the little half-breed that has everyone so upset. You look pretty harmless to me. Kind of like a bug. I guess maybe them Humans is afraid of bugs?” The other goblins started laughing.
    Linvin replied: “You must be the pathetic Goblin Pet your Human Masters chose to guard the mean, nasty little Elves. What a sad commentary on you. So scared of us are you that you need to keep us shackled. I do not blame you though. Slaughtering all those goblins in the Territory was quite easy and actually a good deal of fun for us. I would be scared of us too.”
    Hugon threw Linvin against the wall and turned to the goblins who traveled with the prison wagon. “They killed goblins?”
    “At least an entire patrol,” the shivering voice of one of them said.
    Hugon was furious and quickly showed his displeasure by uncoiling his whip. Without a thought he began to lash Linvin with vigor. “You want to play games with me Boy?” Hugon shouted as the thick leather tore through Linvin’s clothes. The victim curled into a ball to protect his face. Unrestrained, the leather sliced through his skin with ease and did not stop until it struck bone.
    “How do you like that?” Hugon screamed as the other goblins cheered his torture of Linvin. “I think I’ll give you one lash for every goblin you’ve killed. If there’s anything left of you after that, I’ll show you the lower levels where we can really have some fun.”
    Linvin watched his tormentor closely. When the whip headed his way again Linvin held up his shackles and let it wrap itself around the chain. Then he grabbed the weapon and pulled it from the goblin’s hand. “I am Linvin Grithinshield,” he said from his knees. “No one puts leather to me and lives.”

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The Sapphire Crucible

Captured! In ”Sapphire Crucible” (Book 2 of the Sapphire Chronicles) Linvin Grithinshield and his party find themselves prisoners on the maniacal Lord Mandrean and his Necromancer. The Emperor has a surprise for Linvin. He knows where the Red Sapphire is! In order to attain it he needs Linvin's help. With his family as hostages he has no choice but to help.  Now they must find a way to escape, find the Red Sapphire and make it home alive. Along the way they must fight ever-growing odds of survival.

Links

Don't miss Quest for the Red Sapphire, Book 1 in the Sapphire Chronicles: on sale on Kindle for .99
www.rivalgates.com
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads
Amazon
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Interview with Eden Gelsey from Eden's Darkness

3/23/2014

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Character:  Eden Gelsey
Book: Eden's Darkness by D.M. Sears


Tell me a little about yourself.

I have just turned 18 and up until a year ago lived with my Aunt and Uncle in the human world. I have a birthmark on my wrist that started giving me trouble…until I figured out it was the mark of the Chosen One.


Where do you live?

I live in a world inside the human world called Ellethny. It is on earth, but a different realm on earth. It is like nothing you have ever seen before. Ellethny has Shape-shifters, Feys, Vampires, and Mages…also Shadows. Something no one wants to come in contact with.


Who is the most important person in your life?

I have so many important people in my life. My Aunt Val and Uncle Lex took me in after my mother and father were attacked. Gregor, who is my husband, made a life vow to be my protector, friend, lover, and warrior. Maiya and Koren have sacrificed so much time and again before they even got to know me just because they believed in my quest.


What was your childhood like?

My childhood was like any other, normal and boring. The one cool thing was helping Val make her potions and concoctions for others. See, she was a healer…um, IS a healer. Little did I know she and Lex were both mages.


Of all the people you've met, who would you LEAST like to be stuck in an elevator with?


That one is easy, my grandmother Circenn! All she wants to do is try and take my powers so she can overrun Ellethny and claim herself queen. The woman had major psycho issues if you ask me.


What is the most important thing in your life? What do you value most?

My family. Above all else they are my life. Without them life is not worth living. That is why I am fighting the darkness to bring Ellethny back to its glory, for my family. So people who left Ellethny can come back and live once again.


What is your biggest fear?

My biggest fear is that I will fail. The fate of a world rests in my hands, I am the only one who can bring the light back. If I fail to defeat Circenn and Darkness, the world I love will end and its people will be forever enslaved to the ideas of a mad woman.


What is the most important thing that ever happened to you? Why?

Meeting my mom…well her spirit, I should say. I found a peace I had lost and the strength I needed to continue on my journey.


Do you have any special talents or abilities?

As the Chosen One I have abilities from all the races in Ellethny. I have wings to fly and fey sight, I have vampire senses and reflexes, mages' magic, and the coolest thing is I can shift into animal forms. My favorite spirit animal is Ryuu…my dragon.


How do you see your future?

I see myself in my meadow with Gregor and our daughter living in peace as my family and world thrive.


If you could spend the day with someone you admire (living or dead or imaginary), who would you pick?


I would say my parents. As both of them are dead and I have never really seen or spent time with them, I would say them.


If you had a free day with no responsibilities, how would you spend it?


I would go to Japan and ride all the roller coasters! I am a fanatic for adrenaline now.


Where can we find out more about you?

You can read all about my beginning in Eden’s Mark and continue my journey in Eden’s Darkness. Both are on Amazon and other book sites.



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Biography

D.M. Sears lives in a small town in the mid-west with her daughter Larissa and their crazy familiar Cindy Lou. She spends weekdays as a director for an early childhood center and weeknights fighting the voices in her head putting them down on paper in the form of Paranormal and Fantasy writings. When she has down time, she indulges in her obsession with Hindi films featuring a certain Shak Rukh Khan along with reading books of various genres. D.M. Sears is also the author of Eden's Mark, Book One in the Ellethny Series. Also, coming Fall 2014, Eden’s Revelation and an elemental novel, The Order of Amite: The New Erregen.

Facebook Fan Page -  https://www.facebook.com/pages/DM-Sears/675167942528555
Twitter - @DMSears1
Website - http://myrissaeden1.wix.com/ellethnyseries

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What would you do if the person you loved the most became the very thing you were fighting to destroy? Eden will have to answer that very question before her quest is through. The land she has come to love is at dire risk of being lost to the shadows seeking to consume it. Circenn, now the consort of Darkness, waits to claim her granddaughter and her powers, unaware that Darkness has his own agenda. He has but little time to obtain his vessel and find his true form. Will he succeed? And will Eden be able to face the disturbing visions that continue to pursue her? Nightmares will become reality in Eden's Darkness, Book Two in the Ellethny Series.

Eden's Mark
Eden's Darkness
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Interview with Jay Ferragamo from A 38 Day Education

3/8/2014

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Character:  Jay Ferragamo
Book: A 38 Day Education by John Guzzardo


Tell me a little about yourself.  Where do you live? 

Well, I'm originally from Palm Harbor, Florida. It's part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg area.  Right now, I'm in school at South Central College.  It's in a small town in southern Georgia called Danielsonville.


Who is the most important person in your life?
 

My roommate, Martin Ballard.  He's a great guy; like a brother in a lot of ways.  We have great conversations and we both respect each other very much.  I think, when it comes down to it, he's one of the reasons I look forward to coming back to school every fall.  We're like family.


What was your childhood like?

It was a mixed bag, really.  I grew up in Schenectady, New York, but I could never really get into the cold; I used to play in the snow alone, and I spent a lot of time at the playground by myself.  Most of my childhood was spent in my room reading, outside playing by myself, or at the library.  My dad inherited the print shop my grandfather started, but after ten years of trying to run the shop and have his own career, he decided he didn't want to be a printer, and sold it.  He had been working as a manager for a trucking company when he was transferred to Scranton, Pennsylvania.  We lived there until I was about 13, when we moved to Palm Harbor.  I went to public school in New York, Catholic school in
PA, and back into public school in Florida.  Never had too many friends - most of my classmates called my nerdy, dorky and stupid. When we moved to Florida, I was in high school and came into my own. I love the warm weather.


Of all the people you've met, who would you LEAST like to be stuck in an elevator with? 

That would probably have to be Tasha Davidson. She's the Vice President of Student Government.  Not to sound disrespectful or rude, but she's that really irritating sort of wealthy, the sort who looks at a guy like me and just sneers like "you aren't good enough to breathe the same air with me."  I deal with her because it's a necessary evil, nothing more, nothing less.


What is the most important thing in your life? 

I can't say for sure. My education is important.  My family is important.  Right now, the most important thing in my life is helping keep my college newspaper, The Scope, running.  It's the first place I've ever felt like I fit in, and now I'm doing the best I can to keep it running.  The staff is like my family and friends, and I don't want to let them down.


What is your biggest fear?

Never finding that special someone who I can have a life with.  I almost had it with this girl Vanessa, but I know it's not meant to be.  I guess I'm kind of scared of never finding a woman I can fall in love with.


Do you have any special talents or abilities?

Aside from being highly sanctimonious, pompous and arrogant simultaneously?  Well, I'm a pretty good writer and not afraid of working really long hours.


How do you see your future?

*laughing*  You want to know something? I can't see past the next three months, but okay, I'll bite.  I see my future like this - getting through school, getting a job, meeting a beautiful woman, and having a family.  I would like to be a journalist someday.  Hell, maybe I'll even be an anchor for CNN, if I'm really lucky and don't screw it up.


If you could spend the day with someone you admire (living or dead or imaginary), who would you pick?

Oh, that's easy:  my grandfather. Grandpa Ferragamo, from what I've been told, was a great man.  He worked hard, was a great writer, and started a print shop that's still in operation today.  I really wish I could talk to him and know what real sacrifice and real leadership is all about.


Where can we find out more about you?

Well, right now there's not a lot about me out there, but my story will, hopefully, be available to read soon.  Just keep an eye out for A 38 Day Education by John E. Guzzardo.


Links

Website - www.getinjohnshead.com
Blog – getinjohnshead.wordpress.com
Twitter - @GetinJohnsHead
Facebook - JohnEGuzzardo
getinjohnshead.com
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Interview with Andy Thompson from Hike Up Devil's Mountain

3/5/2014

2 Comments

 
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Interview with Andy Thompson, a character from Hike Up Devil's Mountain by Penny Estelle
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Character: Andy Thompson
Book: Hike Up Devil’s Mountain by Penny Estelle


Tell me a little about yourself?           

Well, I’m ten years old and I’m in a world of trouble.  I went to a house that is supposed to be demolished tomorrow and I found this box in the basement that had this stick in it.  Well, the thing started glowing this bright red, then just stopped.  I was trying to get it to glow again, when Jason Crew and his brother found me.  Well, Jason is the new school bully and he tried to take my stick.  We were fighting for it and the next thing I knew, Jason was a toad.  I mean, that wouldn’t be my fault, right?


Where do you live?           

Clarksdale.


Who is the most important person in your life?

Right now, it’s the person that lives on top of Devil’s Mountain who can, hopefully, change this spell.


What was your childhood like? 

Well until today, it was just like anybody else’s.  I mean, I was just a regular kid.  Now, I’m hiking up the scary mountain with another kid my age and he has his twelve year old brother, who is now a toad, in his shirt pocket!


Of all the people you've met, who would you LEAST like to be stuck in an elevator with?

Jason Crew, when he turns back into a kid.  I don’t think my life is going to be worth squat, when that happens.


What is the most important thing in your life? 

This very minute it’s my mom’s understanding, 'cause I don’t think I’ll be seeing much of that when she hears the trouble I’ve gotten myself into.


What is your biggest fear? 

Right now it’s whatever is coming out of this cave.  There is a horrible smell and we can see a green glow coming our way. 


Do you have any special talents or abilities? 


I didn’t think so!  But when this day is over, I will find out I have a VERY SPECIAL TALENT!


How do you see your future? 

Hopefully – Alive!


If you could spend the day with someone you admire (living or dead or imaginary), who would you pick? 

Merlin - the wizard, Glinda - the Good Witch of the North, Dumbledore or any of the students from Hogwarts…anybody who could turn this spell around!


Where can we find out more about you?  

In the story, Hike Up Devil’s Mountain.


Biography


Hi everybody!  My name is Penny Estelle.  I was a school secretary for 21 years and retired in 2009.  We moved to our retirement home in Kingman, AZ, and we live on 54 acres in a very rural area.  Actually we live “off the grid”, on solar and wind.  A real adjustment for a city girl.  I must say – I love it.  Nothing like looking out your window in the early morning and see a wave of quail running across the property, or walking out your front door at night and hear coyotes howling in the distance and seeing a sky bursting with stars.  It is breathtaking!

I started writing for kids right before I retired.  There is always material when kids are involved.  I am pleased to say I have several middle grade/tween books out and, under P. A. Estelle,  I have stories for the not so young. I also have a non-fiction story out about our life with solar.

Excerpt from Hike Up Devil’s Mountain

~~~~~~~~~~

            Jason was getting closer to Andy.  His voice hissed through his teeth.  “You must think we are some kind of stupid.  We aren’t like the hicks who live in this town and if you think we would even begin to believe some story about an old witch who lived here, then you better think again!”  Jason pushed Andy hard against the wooden cabinet.
            Andy shut his eyes waiting for the first blow.  Nothing happened.  He squinted open his left eye and saw Jason’s head cocked to one side, trying to see behind Andy’s back.  “What have you got there, Andy Pandy?”
            Uh oh, the glowing stick.  Andy wasn’t about to give that up.  “Nothing,” he told him, trying to back away but there was no place to go.
            “Oh I think there is something,” Jason sneered.
            “It’s mine!” Andy shouted.  “You will have to do your worst if you think you are taking this from me!”
            “No problem,” Jason said, lunging forward.  Andy tried to fake him out, pretending to run one way and then the other.  That didn’t work.  That never worked!   Jason grabbed Andy’s arm that held the stick and tried to grab it. Something was going to break, and Andy wasn’t sure if it would be the stick or his arm.  They both fell and were rolling on the floor.  Andy knew he was losing this battle.  No matter how hard he held on, he could feel his new-found treasure start to slip out of his grasp.
            “Jason, stop it!”  Danny shouted.  “You’re acting like a big dumb toad!”
            “Yeah…you’re … acting… like…a…toad!” Andy gasped between each word.
            The stick exploded into a flash of light and then the fight was over.  Andy jumped up, trying to fill his lungs with air.  What happened?  Danny came running over to where Andy stood.  “Where’s Jason?”  Andy couldn’t answer because he couldn’t catch his breath.  Danny yelled, “Jason, where are you?  Quit messing around!”
            His chest still heaving, Andy stammered, “I don’t know.  I . . . don’t know what just happened.” 
            They both looked to the floor.  Under one of the boxes was what looked like a pair of pants.  “Jason!” Danny hurried to lift the box.  No Jason — just his pants.  Lying close by were his nice Nike shoes, socks and a short distance away was his shirt.  “What did you do?” he yelled at Andy.
            “Nothing!  I didn’t do anything!  I . . . don’t know!”  Andy had no answers. 
            Danny tried again.  “Jason,” he screamed his name.  “Where are you?”
~~~~~~~~~~

Links

http://www.amazon.com/Penny-Estelle/e/B006S62XBY

www.pennystales.com

www.pennyestelle.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/Pennystales

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5820078.Penny_Estelle

http://www.facebook.com/pennystales

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=146&Itemid=82


Helen, thank you so much for letting me stop by today.  You are a wonderful hostess and I appreciate your time!

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Hike Up Devil’s Mountain


by Penny Estelle


Amazon
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Interview with John Guzzardo

3/2/2014

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Today I'm happy to have author John Guzzardo stop by and talk about his latest book, A 38 Day Education.
1. Greetings, can you tell us a little bit about your history and how your work has evolved up to this point?

I began writing at 17 for my high school literary magazine while taking Creative Writing.  It was there I discovered I enjoyed creative writing and upon arriving at college, I immediately began working for my college newspaper.  After a year and a half, I took over as Editor, ran my newspaper for two and a half years, and then shortly after left college to get married.  During that time I wrote a few letters to the editor of various newspapers and tried to get my foot in the door as a journalist at some news organizations, but it was not meant to be.  There was a somewhat abortive attempt to get a comic strip I drew picked up by a syndicate, but that too wasn’t meant to be.  I started writing again in 2007 when it became obvious I had an itch to get back into it again.  I’ve been writing ever since.


2. What genre, or genres, do you write?


I write mostly collegiate/political fiction, but I am dabbling in science fiction at this point.  I also enjoy writing about politics on my blog and do jump in and out of humor writing from time to time.


3.  What is your latest book called and what is it about?

A 38 Day Education is the first in what I hope to be a five-book series based on the exploits of the staff of The Scope, the newspaper of South Central College, a fictional school in south Georgia.  It chronicles Jay Ferragamo’s transformation from an insecure college sophomore into a semi-confident, accomplished Editor of his campus newspaper.  Along the way, he has to learn about life, politics and understanding that sometimes things aren’t always what they seem to be.


4. What was the inspiration for your book?


A 38 Day Education is inspired by my own experience with my campus newspaper, The Sou’Wester, at Georgia Southwestern State University.  In March 1994, I became Editor after serving as Assistant Editor up until that point and some of the basic plot points in the book mirror my own experiences.  While the characters were all inspired by people I either knew or worked with, great effort was made to ensure that no one character was too much like any single person in real life.


5. Where can we buy your books?

A 38 Day Education has only recently been contracted for publication by Solstice Publishing, so it may a little bit before I have a release date.  However, once I have been told what the editing and publishing schedule is, I will be working tirelessly to get the book to market.


6. What can we expect from you in the future?

The expectation is that this current novel will be the springboard sufficient to launch the entire Scope series.  I am also working on a science-fiction novel which is based on the concept of Earth becoming a capital to a galactic government, after its original capital planet was destroyed as part of an ongoing war between cousin races, a war which actually influenced the religious beliefs of humankind for eons.


7. Among your own books, have you a favorite book?  Favorite hero or heroine?

Most of what I read is historical non-fiction.  That said, my favorite book overall is Dave Barry Talks Back, a collection of columns by humorist Dave Barry.  As for fiction, my favorite novel is actually Peter David’s Legions of Fire trilogy, an adaptation of a Babylon 5 script written by J. Michael Straczynski.  My favorite hero of any book is John Coffey from Stephen King’s The Green Mile.


8. Do you plot ahead of time, or do you let the plot emerge as you write?

A combination of the two.  I work from a mental outline for the essential plot but like to let the plot emerge.  One thing I do is “talk out” the scenes in private, including the dialogue, to see how the book sounds.  My experience is that how we write reflects how we speak, and this is how I handle the dialogue.  I’ll write different parts of the book as I get inspiration, like a patchwork quilt, and then “stitch” them together with transitional scenes.


9. Who are some of your favorite authors to read? Favorite books?


My favorite contemporary writers are Peter David and Dave Barry.  I have a fondness for Shakespeare (my sister gave me a complete Shakespeare book that weighs about twenty five pounds!).  My favorite books include Dave Barry Talks Back, 1776, The ‘What Ifs’ of American History, and Ben Franklin:  An American Life.  I have read the first three books of the Harry Potter series and, strangely, I could never really get into J.K. Rowling’s style.


10. What would be your ultimate goal as a writer?

My goal is to use my books and writing as a teaching tool.  I am a teacher at heart and if one person learns something from my books, then all this writing is worth it.  On a purely selfish note, I would love to see my books in my old campus book store under the title “Required Reading.”  I know that would make more than a few people gnash their teeth.


Biography

John E. Guzzardo has been writing, in one form or another, for over 20 years.  His writing career began in high school, continuing to college as Editor of his campus newspaper from 1994 through 1996, and again in 2011.  John has been featured on Examiner.com, Yahoo and published a webcomic, Love & Marriage, from 2005 through 2007.

History, politics and art are some of John's favorite subjects, and he is an avid highway and cat enthusiast, as well as a fan of baseball's Tampa Bay Rays.  Personal causes include the fight against Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), diabetes awareness and constitutional law. Among the writers John counts as his inspiration for pursuing his dream of being a published author are Peter David, Dave Barry and George R.R. Martin.

He currently resides in the Atlanta area with his wife, son, and, yes, cats.


Links

Website - www.getinjohnshead.com
Blog – getinjohnshead.wordpress.com
Twitter - @GetinJohnsHead
Facebook - JohnEGuzzardo

www.getinjohnshead.com
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Interview with Pedro Barrento

3/1/2014

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The Prince and the Singularity - A Circular Tale
is a take on the Creation myth, drawing from different religious and philosophical sources and mixing them in an original, challenging and often very funny way. It is written in a multi-layered format, allowing it to be read both as a simple and entertaining fable and as a deeply philosophical work, full of hidden references and satire.

It’s the story of the Prince aka the Master aka Francis, who is more or less immortal and goes through the millennia fighting Desire and Rejection, the roots of all unhappiness and evil. He always fails until the moment he loses interest and decides to die, which he doesn't. Instead he gets promoted.

Today I'm happy to have author Pedro Barrento stop by and talk about his latest book, The Prince and the Singularity - A Circular Tale.


Tell us a little something about yourself as both a person and an author


I’m a maverick, a loner and someone who loves to think about problems too complicated to ever have a solution. I also have very peculiar beliefs, as I do not believe in the existence of God but I believe in the existence of spiritual dimensions. It’s a very uncomfortable position to be in, because religious people consider me an atheist and atheists just consider me incoherent.


What made you decide to be a writer?

I always wrote short pieces, mainly about political satire, and I have a blog dedicated to that (mostly in Portuguese, though).

One of my satirical pieces, “The Euro Crisis Explained to Grannies”, has now been viewed almost 15,000 times, so I guess at least some people must like it.

I then started having ideas for longer and more complicated stories.


What made you pick this genre to write?


My book is cross genre. It's a mix of literary fiction with shades of Pratchett humour over a New Age background. I should've picked a genre but unfortunately I didn't, which makes marketing the thing an uphill struggle of Himalayan proportions.


Tell us a little about your latest book

My idea was to write a book that would simultaneously:

a) be funny (both funny peculiar and funny ha-ha);

b) could be read as a simple story that anyone could understand and appreciate;

c) had several “hidden” layers below the basic story that different people could read differently, depending on their cultural and religious backgrounds;

d) would mix concepts from different religions and philosophies, in a thought-provoking way.

While writing the book, I toyed with the idea of creating three different self-contained stories that could be read in any order whatsoever and would make sense either individually or in connection with the other two, but that proved to be too difficult and I abandoned the concept. As a leftover of that idea, though, chapters 1 to 12 make up a self-contained story of their own.

The book is a reflection of the Great Fusion Era in which we live, where lifestyles, religions, beliefs and economic and political systems are fusing together, with the inherent social confusion and clashes between cultures.

We live in times where people feel insecure and troubled, but these are epic times, the transition between one era and the next one.

The book is a reflection of all that. It fuses concepts from different religions (which has been done before) and, more importantly, it fuses religion with atheism, an exercise most people would consider a logical impossibility.


How do you come up with your ideas?

You’re going to think I’m completely nuts, but I believe all books are already written, in some other dimension. Writers get their stories when they somehow connect to that other dimension. As no writer is capable of receiving a whole book, what happens is that they receive some parts and then fill in the missing parts with their mind. The more parts they “receive”, the better writers they are. The parts they “fill in” tend to be the weakest bits of their books.

That’s what happened with my book. I suddenly “saw” parts of the story, usually in situations where I was totally relaxed and thinking of nothing in particular, especially while swimming or driving a car.

I wrote down those parts, which came in a non-sequential way (Ch.1, Ch.2,  Ch. 12, then Ch.9, etc). The book has 27 chapters. In the end, I had big chunks of the book written down and I had some parts missing in several places in the middle. Those parts I wrote with my mind, just trying to connect what had been “received”, if you may call it that way.

I have very little hope that you’ll believe my version of how the book was written but I can assure you it’s the truth.

Also the writing process was very odd, because on top of being non-sequential, I started by writing a draft in Portuguese, then someone translated that draft into English, then I rewrote the English translation because I thought it had lost the right “feel”. Afterwards I finished writing the book in English, meaning that 30,000 words were written in Portuguese, translated, rewritten by me and then 14,500 words were added directly in English. I then had to translate the part that was written in English into my own language, which is a very odd situation.


Is there someone in particular you would like to thank for supporting you through this process?

Lynn Curtis (http://www.lynncurtis.co.uk/), my editor and literary consultant must come first and foremost. In fact, I believe that calling her a literary consultant is an offense. She is a living goddess, no less.

Teresa Frederico, the person who revised the Portuguese version is also someone who deserves a HUGE “thank you”, especially as she did it for free (well, I promised her untold riches if the book is successful). I’d also like to thank Sandro Marques for several suggestions made while I was writing the initial Portuguese draft. Fernanda Gil and Paula Soto Maior have also helped in the graphic department, with several sketches for covers which unfortunately ended up not being used.


Tell us one positive thing that has happened to you since you published your book(s)

People have finally stopped seeing me as a lawyer (which I hated) and now see me as a writer (which is a lot sexier).


Tell us one negative thing that has happened to you since you published your book(s)

I’ll tell you something that happened before I published the book.

I tested it extensively on several sites, especially on authonomy.com, and I found out that writing a book which mixes sources from different cultures is a very delicate process. To my (probably naïve) astonishment, in the beginning, I was getting raving reviews from readers of Asian origin and very mixed reviews from American readers, which ranged from “great book” to “you’ll burn in hell”. I reached the conclusion that the “you’ll burn in hell” readers just weren’t understanding the book.

I then added a Prologue, to make the book easier to understand to readers less familiarized with some of the philosophies involved and after that I’m glad to say I’ve stopped receiving “hate mail”.


Give us your links to learn more about you and your book

The book is available both as a paper book and an ebook on Amazon, Smashwords, Kobo, etc., and all those sites allow you to read a sample.

I’ll leave you with the Amazon USA Kindle link, but whether that is the ideal link to check out the book depends on where each reader lives, so people should choose the site most adequate for the country they live in:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B3B3QNS

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Biography

Pedro was born in Mozambique 51 years ago, attended English schools in Lisbon and pursued his education until finishing a degree in Law. When he was around 33, Pedro decided there’s more to life than being a lawyer and tried his hand at various business activities, the most successful of which was a company that produced and managed rock bands. A year ago he decided to pick up again a long-forgotten hobby of his: writing. He started with a blog, mainly dedicated to political satire. Encouraged by the feedback from the blog Pedro then decided to try his hand at a whole book, an effort which resulted in the creation of The Prince and the Singularity – A Circular Tale.






Picture

The Prince and the Singularity - A Circular Tale
is a take on the Creation myth, drawing from different religious and philosophical sources and mixing them in an original, challenging and often very funny way. It is written in a multi-layered format, allowing it to be read both as a simple and entertaining fable and as a deeply philosophical work, full of hidden references and satire.

It’s the story of the Prince aka the Master aka Francis, who is more or less immortal and goes through the millennia fighting Desire and Rejection, the roots of all unhappiness and evil. He always fails until the moment he loses interest and decides to die, which he doesn't. Instead he gets promoted.

Amazon
Goodreads
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