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Book Review: ‘Madison’s Song’ by Christine Amsden
Madison’s Song is the latest addition to theCassie Scot Paranormal Detective fantasy/mystery series. Though not the latest instalment, it is a stand-alone, companion book to the series and, though there are mystery elements in it, it is primarily a romantic fantasy.
So far I’ve read and enjoyed all of the books and this one didn’t disappoint. As usual, Amsden delivers a fast-pace, highly entertaining read with fully sympathetic and compelling characters. This time I was especially swept away by the romance between Madison and Scott.
Madison Carter is a sweet, shy music teacher from a small town. When her brother Clinton’s life is put in danger, she must unwillingly join forces with Scott Lee, a very alluring and dangerous alpha werewolf, to find Clinton and help him. Scott is slave to the moon, a vicious killer and man-eating monster, but he has a soft spot for Madison, whom he was forced to “mark”, make love to, two years ago in order to save her life. Since then, they’ve been bonded in more ways than both are willing to admit. Needless to say, sparks fly from the very beginning. As they follow the trail to Clinton, they find themselves thrown in a secret lab, prisoners of a psychopathic doctor with a very dark agenda. Romance, suspense, mystery, action and thrills abound, and then some.
Fans of the Cassie Scot series and romantic fantasy will gobble this one up. Amsden hooks us from page one and doesn’t let us go until the end. With minimalist descriptions, non-stop action, and skillful characterization, this author delivers a tale that both engages and captivates. I was also impressed by the world building and all the fascinating dynamics about werewolves and their packs. I was able to forget reality and immersed myself into the world of the impossible. Highly recommended!
Visit the author’s website or find out more on Amazon. You can also check out the publisher at Twilight Times Books.
My review was originally published in Blogcritics.
Book Review & $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway : ‘Mind Games,’ by Christine Amsden
Mind Games is the much awaited third installment in the new adult mystery series, Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective. Talented author Christine Amsden keeps delivering a great story filled with interesting characters, romance, mystery, and the paranormal, lots of it.
In this episode, Cassie still doesn’t know why Evan broke her heart two months ago, and the mystery gnaws at her big time. She decides to keep busy and make herself useful at the sheriff’s department. She also meets charismatic mind mage Matthew Blair…much to Evan’s distaste. At the same time, Eagle Rock is teeming with hate from the religious community, a reaction to the recent murder of a much-esteemed pastor’s wife by what the people believe was a sorcerer. The town is about to snap, with tensions between the magical and non-magical communities.
And in the center of all this, is Matthew, whom Cassie finds irresistible. But can she trust him? According to Evan, no way. But then, Evan isn’t the most objective person when it comes to Cassie. Evan and Cassie have a history, as well as a secret connection, that keeps them bound in spite of themselves.
Will Cassie discover the real culprit or culprits behind the pastor’s wife’s murder, as well as the real face behind the anti-magical propaganda and demonstrations? Most importantly, will she wake up and see Matthew for who he really is…and find the courage to face Evan for what he did to her—when she finds out?
I love this series and thoroughly enjoyed this instalment! There’s something about Cassie’s voice that makes her really likable. She has a good heart and is witty, too. But best of all, she is just an ordinary girl next door trying to do her best in spite of everything that happens around her—which is usually pretty remarkable, as is often the case in paranormal stories.
Her relationship with Evan keeps evolving organically and there’s a major revelation in this book about their connection and the secret behind their rival families. Matthew is a great addition to this episode, adding tension with his charismatic personality and inciting sparks of jealousy from Evan. The conflict between the religious and the magical communities is also well done.
Mind Games kept me reading late into the night, wondering what would happen next. If you haven’t read any books in this series before, I urge you to pick up book one first, Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective. The books are best read in order. You won’t be disappointed.
Purchase links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble
Connect with the author on the web:
Website / Newsletter / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Google+
My review was originally published on Blogcritics.
*The giveaway begins on April 15, 2014 at midnight and ends on July 16, 2014 at midnight.
Book Review: ‘Knight Blindness’ by Chris Karlsen
Knight Blindness is the third installment in Karlsen’s The Knights in Time series. I have read the first two books and, as always, the author doesn’t disappoint.
The story begins at the Battle of Poitiers, France, in 1356. English knight Stephen Palmer charges into battle when he is suddenly struck by the enemy. In that instant, he plummets through time and when he wakes up, wounded and confused, he finds himself in a hospital in 2013. Not only that, but blind due to his wound. His manner of speaking, questions and claims force people to believe that he’s mad.
In a twist of fate, old friends of his who have also secretly traveled through time before, from earlier books, come to help. They assign him a tutor to help him adjust to the modern world: beautiful and warm-hearted Esme Crippen who, unfortunately, thinks Stephen adorable but also mad.
But unbeknown to Stephen, the man who struck him, French knight Roger Marchant, was also sucked into the vortex and ripped through time…and he has his own agenda and will stop at nothing to hunt his enemy down and bring him back to 1356.
This was a thoroughly entertaining and compelling read. Romance, adventure, intrigue, mystery and a touch of humor await you in Knight Blindness. With her close attention to historical detail, Karlsen brings the story to life. Stephen is a riveting hero, brave, loyal and stubborn, yet with a vulnerable, sensitive side; Esme is as sympathetic as heroines go, and I had fun watching their romance evolve. Roger is a character not many will like, but Karlsen gave him some redeeming qualities as well, making him a more complex and realistic villain. I should mention that although this is third in a series, it is also a standalone book, and the author does a good job in providing some light backstory that doesn’t get overwhelming. If you’re a fan of time-travel and historical romance, you’ll want to add this one to your shelf.
Purchase from Amazon.
Visit the author’s website.
My review was originally published in Blogcritics.
Character Interview: Rakan’dzor from Dina von Lowenkraft’s YA Fantasy Dragon Fire
We’re thrilled to have here today Rakan from Dina von Lowenkraft’s debut YA Fantasy, Dragon Fire. Rakan is a teenage shapeshifting dragon living between Ngari, Tibet and Tromso, Norway.
It is a pleasure to have him with us today at Beyond the Books!
Thank you so for this interview, Rakan. Now that the book has been written, do you feel you were fairly portrayed or would you like to set anything straight with your readers?
I think it is a fair account, and although I would like to change some of my actions in the book, they are what happened. If I knew what I know now, I would have reacted differently.
Do you feel the author did a good job colorizing your personality? If not, how would you like to have been portrayed differently?
I think Dina understood my inner conflicts and portrayed them with fairness. I would have preferred to have had her clue me in to a few things earlier on, though. And I don’t think she needed to let Anna suffer as much as she did.
What do you believe is your strongest trait?
My ability to control my emotions and to maintain the calm I need to fight.
Worse trait?
My inability to control my emotions around Anna. I forget everything when we are together. Even when it puts us both in danger.
If you could choose someone in the television or movie industry to play your part if your book was made into a movie, who would that be (and you can’t say yourself!)?
I’m afraid I don’t watch a lot of human movies, but it would have to be a Tibetan. Perhaps a Khampa, they are taller than some of the others – as I am. Although, I really don’t see how a human can portray my dragon form – so you might have to let me play myself for that!
Do you have a love interest in the book?
My life revolves around Anna. I can no longer imagine it without her – even if the book starts before we met.
At what point of the book did you start getting nervous about the way it was going to turn out?
From quite early on actually. There were too many factors that were beyond my control, from my sister’s reckless behavior, to my inability to concentrate around Anna. And then all of my questions about who – or what – June actually was… It was only when I understood and accepted what I would have to sacrifice to stop all the fighting, that I came into that inner place of calm that would allow me to change the course of history.
If you could trade places with one of the other characters in the book, which character would you really not want to be and why?
Kariaksuq. She was manipulated from the beginning and was forced to do many things that she felt was wrong. Even when I made mistakes, they were my choices, and I believed that what I was doing was right. Kariaksuq never had that freedom and her life was torture.
How do you feel about the ending of the book without giving too much away?
Frustrated. Happy. Excited. Devastated. Hopeful. And a bit terrified about how things will play out in the future. I guess the feeling I have looking back on it now is determined.
What words of wisdom would you give your author if she decided to write another book with you in it?
Give me time with Anna. Even just a few weeks. I need her. I love her. And if I must die, promise me first that Anna and the earth will be safe. I won’t let myself die until you do.
Thank you for this interview, Rakan. Will we be seeing more of you in the future?
I certainly hope so – because it will mean I will be with Anna. Or it had better mean that. Can I add something to my previous answer? Dina, be forewarned that if you write a second book and I can’t have time with Anna, I will make your life miserable.
Is that a threat, Rakan?
*Rakan flashes a devastatingly handsome smile* I’m a dragon. I take care of my own.
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ABOUT DRAGON FIRE
Some choices are hard to live with.
But some choices will kill you.
When seventeen-year-old Anna first meets Rakan in her hometown north of the Arctic Circle, she is attracted to his pulsing energy. Unaware that he is a shapeshifting dragon, Anna is drawn into a murderous cycle of revenge that pits Rakan and his clan against her best friend June.
Torn between his forbidden relationship with Anna, punishable by death, and restoring his family’s honor by killing June, Rakan must decide what is right. And what is worth living – or dying – for.
Genre: YA Fantasy
Author: Dina von Lowenkraft
Website: www.dinavonlowenkraft.com
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
Purchase on AMAZON
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Born in the US, Dina von Lowenkraft has lived on 4 continents, worked as a graphic artist for television and as a consultant in the fashion industry. Somewhere between New York and Paris she picked up an MBA and a black belt. Dina is currently the Regional Advisor for SCBWI Belgium, where she lives with her husband, two children and three horses.
Dina loves to create intricate worlds filled with conflict and passion. She builds her own myths while exploring issues of belonging, racism and the search for truth… after all, how can you find true love if you don’t know who you are and what you believe in? Dina’s key to developing characters is to figure out what they would be willing to die for. And then pushing them to that limit.
Site: www.dinavonlowenkraft.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dina-von-Lowenkraft/551209381555837
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vonlowenkraft
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vonlowenkraft/
Book on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18282428-dragon-fire
Goodreads Author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7123641.Dina_von_Lowenkraft
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Dina-von-Lowenkraft/e/B00ED2IZYY/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Character Interview: Jalenia, from The Curse Giver, a fantasy novel by Dora Machado
We’re thrilled to have here today Jalenia, from Dora Machado’s new fantasy novel, The Curse Giver. Jalenia is an ageless curse giver who usually keeps her name and whereabouts secret, but generally operates in the Kingdom and the Free Territories that comprise the Land of the Thousand Gods along the great river Nerpes. She’s very mysterious, so don’t expect to learn a lot from her and beware: Whatever you do, you don’t really want her to turn her attention to you.
It is a pleasure to have you with us today at Beyond the Books!
Thank you, I think. I don’t do interviews often. More like never. But you seem like an interesting character yourself and I’m currently looking for work. Who knows? Maybe you or one of your readers needs a curse cast?
Thank you so much for this interview, Jalenia. Now that the book has been written, do you feel you were fairly portrayed or would you like to set anything straight with your readers?
Fairly portrayed? I don’t think so. Creatures like us are never fairly portrayed. We are secretive, devious and mysterious by nature. We don’t like the spotlight. We believe in wickedness over goodness. We enjoy doing evil. We have to cast curses to exist, and yet people fear us because we do our job so well. Face it, villains never get fair press.
Do you feel the author did a good job colorizing your personality? If not, how would you like to have been portrayed differently?
I’m afraid she might have painted me weak on a couple of occasions, but overall, I think Dora didn’t mince words. I mean, I like being evil, and she got that, oh, yes, she wrote me just the way I am. She didn’t make excuses for me. She didn’t make me good, or friendly, or even caring, thank the gods. So what if the readers may loathe me? So what if I cursed the Lord of Laonia?
Face it. The Lord of Laonia’s father did me wrong. He deserved to be cursed. He and his entire line deserved to suffer, all the way to the last of his sons, Bren, whose story is told in The Curse Giver. He was a fighter, that one. He wasn’t willing to lay down his sword and wait for my curse to kill him like any reasonable man might have done. His sense of duty was as impressive as his endurance. I really enjoyed stringing him along. He waged a good fight. You must understand. I relish what I do and I enjoy a worthy opponent every so often. Heroes like Bren are hard to come by in my business. Fear usually neutralizes the cursed. Not Bren. He refused to be neutralized. He made it interesting for me.
As to that remedy mixer, Lusielle, well, she had it coming. She thought maybe she was going to be able to defeat me with her potions, to heal the curse from the very man that was trying to kill her in order to survive and save his people from the destruction. Little did she know about how foul and terrible her death would be in the hands of the man she tried to heal. Little did she know about the terrible secret that the Lord of Laonia kept from her until the very end.
What do you believe is your strongest trait?
I’m powerful, more powerful than any other curse giver that has ever existed. I’ve got good blood lines, excellent training, and I’ve lived a long time, which means I have the skills and expertise to cast a virulent curse. I can command the elements, travel swiftly through astonishing means, change my appearance almost at will and kill the strongest man with but a twist of my wrist. I’m persistent, oh yes, tenacious like the Goddess herself. And I’m a planner. My curses are impregnable, carefully crafted to address contingencies, anticipate disruptions, and ensure my victim’s demise. Finally, I’m merciless, selfish and wicked beyond redemption. These are the traits that make me the most powerful curse giver in the realms.
Worse trait?
I don’t have a worst trait. I consider myself the perfect curse giver. Shudder when you hear my name.
If you could choose someone in the television or movie industry to play your part if your book was made into a movie, who would that be (and you can’t say yourself!)?
I doubt there’s anyone in my world capable of playing me. Don’t you understand? I can be anybody. I could even be you.
Do you have a love interest in the book?
Love? Yuck. There’s enough of that from Bren and Lusielle in the story. Those two fought off the attraction growing between them almost as hard as they fought their enemies and me. I never understood. What did Lusielle see in the bitter, wretched lord fated to die by my hand?
Lusielle was a powerful healer, I understand that, but why would she want to heal the very man who was destined to kill her? I mean, what kind of madness fuels that type of compassion? I never did figure all of that out.
If you ask me, love is a pretty disgusting ailment. It makes the heart weak and the mind feeble. Lust, on the other hand, is a bit more interesting, something that perhaps I might consider to ease my boredom from time to time. There’s this creature that I had to work closely with there at the end the story, a traveler of the dark realms like myself, a soul chaser who claims the souls of the cursed when I’m done with them. To satisfy a fit of lust, he wouldn’t be bad. But love? Please.
At what point of the book did you start getting nervous about the way it was going to turn out?
Nervous? Me? Ha.
I’ll admit that Lusielle gave me a few surprises along the way. She ended up being stronger, more skilled and resilient that I had anticipated. Perhaps I should have taken care of her early on, when I killed her mother. Lusielle’s wits turned out to be more impressive than most, certainly more impressive than the cursed Lord of Laonia.
He was all brawn, wrath and desperation, easy to tease, mock and mislead, until he found Lusielle and, together, they tried to defeat my curse. Fools. She gave him hope. Hope is another disgusting emotion, a dangerous delusion. Have I told you how much I relish tearing people’s hopes to shreds? It’s extraordinarily fun. You ought to try it sometime. But I’m getting off point. You need to know: Regardless of how the story ended, my curse prevailed and that’s the true measure of my power and strength.
If you had to trade places with one of the other characters in the book, which character would you really not want to be and why?
I wouldn’t want to be Brennus, Lord of Laonia, because if I were him, I wouldn’t have him to torture, would I? Also, I treasured the man’s hatred for me. Like I said in the book, loathing, hatred and revulsion are thrilling, satisfying emotions worth living with and for. I cherished the Lord of Laonia as my enemy because he refused to forget and forgive. He knew that I was dangerous and would always remain so. He was a creature after my own heart and I will forever relish the scent of his scarred soul.
How do you feel about the ending of the book, without giving too much away?
Doomed and damned are the souls of the cursed. Useless are their struggles. I’m the curse giver and you, you will always be my prey.
What words of wisdom would you give your author if she decided to write another book with you in it?
Embrace the wickedness within and you will find me; relish it and you will understand me.
Thank you for this interview, curse giver Jalenia. Will we be seeing more of you in the future?
Perhaps if The Soul Chaser has a story to tell, I’ll be in it, for cursed souls rarely live for long and the soul chaser must come.
Purchase The Curse Giver on AMAZON
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Dora Machado is the award winning author of the epic fantasy Stonewiser series and her newest novel, The Curse Giver, available from Twilight Times Books July 2013. She grew up in the Dominican Republic, where she developed a fascination for writing and a taste for Merengue. After a lifetime of straddling such compelling but different worlds, fantasy is a natural fit to her stories. She lives in Florida with her husband and three very opinionated cats.
To learn more about Dora Machado and her novels, visit her website atwww.doramachado.com or contact her at Dora@doramachado.com.
Subscribe to her blog at http://www.doramachado.com/blog/, sign up for her newsletter at http://doramachado.com/newsletter.php and follow her onFacebook and Twitter.
First Chapter Reveal: Dancing in the Flame by Ann Gimpel
Title of Book: DANCING IN THE FLAME
Genre: Spicy Paranormal Romance
Author: Ann Gimpel
Website: www.AnnGimpel.com
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
SUMMARY:
Life in a were bordello is all Keira has ever known. Because of her mixed blood, none of the magicians’ guilds want her, or protested when the Weres bound her as an indentured hooker. Mired in the hopelessness of her dreams, Keira longs for more.
Barrett, one of the Daoine Sidhe, runs a magician supply shop in what’s left of Seattle. No one is more surprised than he when the Sidhe leader commands him to extricate Keira from the weres.
Magic and intrigue throw Keira and Barrett into one another’s arms. Convinced they have a job to do, they struggle against the heat of the passion between them. Until it gets way too hot to handle.
FIRST CHAPTER
Eleven Years Later
Keira opened a door in the were bordello where she lived and worked and peeked out into the long hallway spanning the first floor of the building. Empty. Good. It was the middle of the afternoon, always a slow time. Her last customer had just left. Maybe, if she snuck out the rear door, she could claim a few hours of freedom. She ducked back into the room she shared with one of the other indentured hookers, donned a cloak and boots, and walked down the hall, making as little noise as possible.
The air was crisper than she’d expected as she eased the door shut behind her. Keira wrapped her arms around herself, wishing she’d brought a warmer coat. Most of her working clothes were wispy and suggestive. At least she’d been smart enough to put on tattered jeans, a moth-eaten sweater, and her favorite black cloak. For once it wasn’t raining. A pallid sun hung midway to the western horizon, bathing what were once busy urban streets with sallow light.
Keira emptied her mind, trying not to feel she was playing hooky. It wasn’t as if the weres kept her prisoner… She glanced at her left arm. Under the sweater and cape, she could have sworn the indenture bracelet spanning her upper arm tightened. Who am I trying to kid? They can find me anytime they want.
She walked briskly through Seattle’s Queen Anne district. Keira had the streets to herself today, but then she usually did. Good thing, too. Those like her, mixed-blood magic wielders with minimal power, were at pretty much everyone else’s mercy. Bottom of the New World totem pole.
Her gaze swept over urban rot. Keira grimaced. Buildings still stood, some of them, anyway. But most of the glass had been rocked out. Piles of trash blocked the roadways. Cars were a thing of the past. Out-of-control garbage had obliterated the sidewalks long ago. Paths wound through it, carved by varieties of magic wielders and prowling beasts. She made a point of ignoring what was underfoot. Most of it was too gross to even consider. It was a damned shame so many humans had been wiped out during the war. They’d taken care of things like that.
She pretended to consider what to do with her freedom, knowing her deliberations were a sham. She’d do the same thing she always did: head for Barrett’s magician’s shop. Housed in a cavernous Victorian on lower Capitol Hill, it was only about an hour’s walk from the were bordello. With its dark wood furniture, Oriental carpets, and overflowing shelves, the shop exuded a homey atmosphere which was irresistible.
Face it. The thing which makes it so enticing is Barrett. Keira smiled to herself as she pictured the tall, broad-shouldered Daoine Sidhe with his thick, coppery hair and pale blue eyes. Beyond his obvious beauty, though, he seemed kind. Not that she’d ever exchanged more than a few words with him, but he had laugh lines in the corners of his eyes and she’d watched him interact with other customers. He was always helpful, doing that little bit extra to assist someone find something. There was still bad blood among magic wielders, but not in Barrett’s shop. Everyone was granted equal status there. Never mind Daoine Sidhe magic was far more powerful than were, fae, or witch. Druid magic barely counted; it was nearly as feeble as hers.
The first time she’d stumbled into Barrett’s shop, it was by accident. She’d gotten into a big blow up with Simon, one of the staff at Were Calls, for refusing to service a customer in his animal form. Simon slapped her, which was a big no-no; punishment was supposed to be delivered through her bracelet per the terms of her indenture.
Keira had never seen Simon quite so angry. She didn’t wait around to see what he would do next. Despite being in her hooker garb, including high heels, she’d raced out the door and ran until her arches ached. It hadn’t helped when the skies opened and it began to pour. Not knowing what else to do—because she was not going back to Were Calls until things cooled down or they zapped her through the bracelet—she’d opened her magic senses. They’d led her straight to Barrett’s shop. It was only a couple of blocks from where she’d stopped.
Keira had pushed the heavy, carved wooden door open, ready to bolt if anyone so much as looked cross-eyed at her. No one did. The shop smelled heavenly. Herbs. Lots of them. They hung in bundles from a raised walkway, ten feet off the ground, which accessed a partial second story. Feeling a bit braver, she let her gaze roam the large room, crowded with shelves. No one paid her the slightest attention, which was amazing since all the other patrons were garbed in cloaks and coats. She glanced at her low-cut top, barely-there micro mini, and high heeled boots and winced. Her top didn’t leave much to the imagination since it was half-soaked through. Because she was cold, her nipples had pebbled into suggestive peaks.
— Excerpted from Dancing in the Flame by Ann Gimpel
Liberation Book One of the Andursian Chronciles Visits with Beyond the Books
Liberation Book Tour
BIO:
About the Author: Born in Havana, Cuba, Maria Lucia immigrated to the United States in 1960. A University of Memphis education graduate and a professional musician and vocalist, she moved deeply into the study of music and launched a very successful musical career. She spent many years in private practice, facilitating her own seminars and counseling on creativity. Her experience includes programs for gifted children in the public school system and creativity seminars for musicians at the university level. She has been a musical director for church programs, a composer of music, and a producer of concerts. She has traveled nationally, performing and delivering seminars for more than twenty years. Lucia has just relocated to Phoenix, AZ. The revised edition of her novel Liberation, Book One of the Andrusian Chronicles debuts at Changing Hands Bookstore in Phoenix on July 21st 2011.
https://www.facebook.com/MariaLuciaLiberation?v=wall&ref=ts
http://www.andrusianchronicles.com/blog.html
INTERVIEW:
Q: Welcome to Beyond the Books, Maria Lucia. Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?
A: This is my second time.
Q: What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?
A: My first book is entitled The Heart’s Unraveling. I self published it through a company named Trafford.
Q: For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?
A: I had an agent that shopped it for a short while but it got turned down by all five of the publishers we approached. Then I decided to do it myself since it was a book for a self help school I have and did my research online for the best self publishing road I could take at the time.
Q: How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?
A: I shut down almost. I only published it myself because of the school but I was shocked since the agent believed in it. I didn’t write for years after that.
Q: When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?
A: I published it with Trafford because I felt that they had great self publishing packages that I could afford, everything was included. I also looked at I Universe pretty strongly.
Q: How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?
A: I celebrated with the first book when I received some great reviews by people that I respect and love. I really didn’t think that they would endorse the book but they did. One was Dr. Bernie Siegel and the other was Barbara Max Hubbard. They really made my day when the endorsed it. To celebrate the event I went out with some friends to a wonderful restaurant by the water in Annapolis Maryland near where I lived at the time and we ate and drank Champaign. I was so excited!
Q: What was the first thing you did as far as promotion when you were published for the first time?
A: Not much, unfortunately I believed that Trafford would make it happen for me. I was under the illusion that someone would pick it up that was influential and that would be it. Trafford didn’t do much and I didn’t know at that time how involved authors had to get in the promotion of their work. Even with an established publishing house, authors have to get very involved in the promotion of their work and many times do it on their own. Big publishers have lots of books to handle and I believe that authors are responsible for a great deal of their promotion. They are the ones most invested in the work.
Q: If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?
A: No, but I wish that I would of known the truth about promoting your own work. It takes a tremendous effort to launch your own title, financially and time wise.
Q: Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?
A: I have created my own imprint since then Andrusian Press. I have grown in every way possible with Liberation. I have grown in my abilities as a write; I have grown in my understanding of marketing skills especially online projects. I have grown in understanding the appropriate road for getting your title noticed and respected. I have grown a lot in the past years and probably will even more in the next few years.
Q: What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?
A: the compilation of great reviews from respected sources.
Q: If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?
A: Something with animals. I’m not sure what. I love them.
Q: Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?
A: I have combined the best of a lot of worlds. I really love that approach. I really don’t want to give up anything I love.
Q: How do you see yourself in ten years?
A: On a large beautiful piece of property that has open spaces and several structures. One of the large structures will be for my workshops and school. I want to leave a curriculum and sound spiritual heart school to this world. Another of the structures will be for special animals that I will have with me. They too will part of the heat school and the teaching. Last I want a space for sharing with some folks that are into organic farming. I really want my food to be grown there and will gladly donate the land for it.
Q: Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?
A: There has never been a better time for authors to publish their own works. Everything in the publishing world is changing and I mean everything. It will be morphing into the path that movies and music follow, online sales, online marketing and big companies losing their grip. You can do it yourself. You can market it yourself. But do it right and save your money. It takes money to create a product and your book is a product for the world. Go and visit sites like www.readerwiews.com. You will see just one of many companies that support independent writers. If you want to have a book done then get going, make time everyday to follow your dream, and put time into what your heart wants. Do it because you love and respect yourself and your work. There are many industries built on self publishing. Choose well. There is a lot of junk out there. Go look at I Universe. Google self publishing, or you can do what I did. Create your own brand. There were no publishing houses that focused just on books that empower the heart. Not just romance novels or religious publishers but stories that show the power of love, the power of the heart. So I created one. And it’s not about sex or religion though it is spiritual. It’s about Love, why because that means something to me. Find out what means something to you and write about it. Then publish it, whether with an established well respected publisher, or your own. Don’t forget. Save your money. It takes money, thousands. You’ll need a publicist too, to help you place your work in the right place. But it’s worth it. Why? Because it is what you love, it’s who you are in this world.
If you don’t have money right now, then write. Get your work edited and have it ready for when you do manage to save a few dollars. Then do it right and make it look great. Because YOU are worth it! Get professionals to help and you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches. Until then do your homework and study the path of writing and publishing so you’ll be one step ahead when it’s your time to do it!
Thanks for the feature!
Interview with Robin Leigh Miller: ‘BLACK SMOKE’
Robin Leigh Miller knows a little about finding romance in odd places. A retired dirt track racecar driver, she found love and adventure on the track. After three months of dating a fellow driver, he proposed and seven months later, they married. Now she gets her adrenaline rush from creating spunky, determined kick ass women that don’t let anything get in their way. Mix in her passion for the paranormal, action and adventure and you have some unique thrilling stories. Enter a world where anything can happen and hold on tight. It’s a bumpy ride but worth the trip as you watch her characters plow through what life throws at them and come out the other side more powerful and of course in love. Information about Black Smoke and all of Robin’s books can be found at www.robinleighmiller.com www.robinleighmiller.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/robin.l.miller?ref=profile
Q: Welcome to Beyond the Books, Robin. Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?
Robin: I’m a multi-published author with seven titles available. Black Smoke is my first published work and the first to go into print. All other titles are available in ebooks.
Q: What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?
Robin: Black Smoke is the first full length novel that I’ve ever written. I dabbled around with short stories but found I wasn’t very adept at short versions. It’s also the first work that I sent out to be looked at by eyes other than my own. I still have a story that I outlined when I got started but it never made it any further than an outline. One of these days I plan on picking it up again.
Q: For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?
Robin: I cringe when I think about the rejections I received, eleven. Cerridwen Press gave me a chance, hooked me up with an amazing editor and together we polished and primped until the story was ready. Most of my rejections were, “We’re sorry but this genre isn’t what we’re looking for right now.” Thankfully, Cerridwen Press is always open to the paranormal romance genre.
Q: How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?
Robin: I’d be fibbing if I said the rejections didn’t sting a little. No one likes being turned down. I’m lucky enough to have a great support system behind me that kept insisting I keep trying. I’m glad I did.
Q: When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?
Robin: Cerridwen Press, who I’m still with, took me on and published Black Smoke. The more I researched them, the more I liked them. They give first time authors the chance to show what they’ve got. They don’t tell you what to write either. They’re open to new ideas, new voices and don’t dictate to the public what they should read. That being said, they don’t accept everything submitted either. You can find many, many fabulous stories at Cerridwen Press.
Q: How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?
Robin: Exhilarated, accomplished, successful and ecstatic. I remember when I got the word they were giving me a contract I couldn’t breathe. My heart raced, my palms were sweaty and I jumped around, screamed and then ran to my husband and squealed like a little girl. Of course, everyday life still needed to be taken care of, so once I got it out of my system I went back to work.
Q: What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?
Robin: Keep in mind, Black Smoke was first released as an ebook. I hit all the review sites and bought ad space. I started a blog, I set up a website and I told everyone I knew. Word of mouth is a wonderful thing. Now that Black Smoke is in print I’m getting help with Pump Up Your Book Promotions. It pays to get help from those with experience.
Q: If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?
Robin: No, I don’t believe so. I like the way things are going for me. I’m building a reader base and working my way up in the publishing industry. Every day I learn something new about the industry and that is invaluable. The more I learn, the more I’m glad I started out small.
Q: Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?
Robin: Six titles have come out in ebook since Black Smoke released. Two are part of the Black Smoke series, Boomer’s Fall and Ricochets Rouge. The other four are single titles. I take comments from reviewers and readers and try to learn where my weak points are or where I may need to focus my attention better. Criticism is hard but you can become better from it.
Q: Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?
Robin: My biggest mistake was waiting so long to submit my work. If I’d stepped up to the plate sooner maybe I’d have more books written. I don’t know. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. So, maybe waiting wasn’t such a bad thing. Honestly, I don’t have any complaints about how my writing career has gone so far.
Q: What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?
Robin: I guess that would have to be having six more stories published. I mean, really, this is still so unbelievable to me I have to look at my book covers to make sure its all happening.
Q: If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?
Robin: I’m living my professions. I’m a mother of three wonderful children, my husband and I have a business and life couldn’t be any better. I get to do everything I love and always wanted to do. Of course, the wilder side of me says getting back in a race car would be fun, or maybe becoming a rescue worker of some sort, something with a high adrenaline rate would be cool.
Q: Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?
Robin: Best of both worlds here. Writing gets done when everything else is accomplished so I’m kept on my toes. Late nights are normal for me since that’s when I do most of my writing. Once the children are settled for the night and all the days business is concluded, my time arrives. I always have a notebook with me to jot down ideas no matter where I’m at. If I’m waiting at school to pick up one of my children and my mind wanders to an idea that I think is good, I have something to write it down on. In my life, writing and everything else go hand in hand.
Q: How do you see yourself in ten years?
Robin: Oh my, ten years? I’m more of a live in the now person. Long distance planning is saved for college educations, retirement and large purchases. I would like to have more of my stories published and put into print. Maybe even make a best selling list. Right now I’m just having fun living in the whirl wind of having my first print book, holding it my hands and knowing my hard work paid off.
Q: Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?
Robin: My best advice would be keep writing, research, take classes and know the genre you want to write in. Read, read, read that genre. Learn as much as you can about the publishing industry and narrow down the avenue’s you want to take. I spent months researching how to write a query letter, a cover letter and where to submit my manuscript. Join a critique group and let others read your work. Listen to what they have to say and use the advice. Most importantly, don’t give up. Go for it! The world never came to an end after someone received a rejection letter. It might feel like it, I know. Sulk, pout, do whatever it is you need to do to get through it then shake it off. Hold your head up high and be proud that you even took the first steps on this journey.
An Interview with Paranormal Romance Author Shiela Stewart
Shiela Stewart has been writing for the better part of twenty years, pouring her heart out in words, living a fantasy through the characters she creates. It has always been a dream of hers to have her work published, a dream she has finally seen come to life.
When not writing, she is busy working on a website for organization she belongs to, tending to her three children, and spending time with the love of her life, William.
Shiela has a deep affection for animals and it’s evident in the five cats, one dog, eight fish, and three turtles she owns. Aside from writing, she enjoys sketching, painting, singing, and dancing, as well as stargazing, astronomy, and astrology. Her favorite time of the day is sunset.
You can visit her website at www.shielasbooks.ca.
Welcome to Beyond the Books, Shiela. Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published? Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?
Thank you so much for having me here today!
I am a multi published author whose first book, Kidnapped, was published in the winter of two thousand and seven followed by my second novel, Secrets of the Dead which came out in the summer of two thousand and seven. Discovery in Passion, book one in the Passion series was published in November of two thousand and seven, Escape in Passion followed in January of two thousand and eight and book three, Mercy in Passion was released in March of two thousand and eight. Finally, my current release, Seducing the Darkness, book one in the Darkness series was released on July 1st.
What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?
My very first book was titled, Too Young Too Evil and was never published. Why, you ask? Too raw. I wrote it when I was thirteen.
It was a story of a young girl who delves into black magic and finds herself becoming obsessed with it to the point of killing off her family.
It was very dark and definitely not a romance. It was a good story and if it probably would make a great scary movie and the more I think about it, the more I want to revise it. LOL Who knows, it could be a block buster someday. Ah…I live in a dream. LOL
For your first published book, how many rejections did you go through before you either found a mainstream publisher, self-published it, or paid a vanity press to publish it?
Oh, there are too many to count. I have a box of rejections. But that was before I knew the proper way to submit a novel to a publisher. I’ve learned so much in the year and a half since Kidnapped first came out.
I was so frustrated and jaded at the whole process that I was about to give up on writing. Then I decided to try one more time. I entered Awaken the Demon, a novel that has yet to be published, in the Starlight contest held by Linden Bay Romance. Though I didn’t win, I was one of the last three finalists.
It was enough of a boost for me to consider submitting something else. I searched through my many manuscripts, trying to decide which one to submit. You see, I’d handwritten over fifty novels at that point, all waiting for a publisher to give them a home. I decided to submit Kidnapped, a comedy and the senior editor at Linden Bay Romance sent it back to me with suggestions on how to fix it up. She continued to guide me while I rewrote the book and then much to my surprise and delight, I was given a contract for the book and haven’t looked back since.
How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?
With the first few rejections I took it in stride. I figured the book I had sent just wasn’t to their liking. But when more kept rolling in I started to doubt myself. Was I good enough to become and author? All the rejections told me I wasn’t. It’s hard to take when you keep getting rejected. You pour your heart out into your story, spend hours crafting it, building your characters only to have someone tell you, “It just isn’t right for their company” It really hits the heart.
I nearly gave up. I figured I just didn’t have what to took to be an author. And even thought I felt defeated, I couldn’t stop writing. The stories kept pouring out. And there was always that little voice inside my head that said, “Just one more time”
I’m glad I listened J
When your first book was published, who published it and why did you choose them?
Linden Bay Romance published my very first book and I’ve stuck with them—or they’ve stuck with me—ever since. I had so many files on Publishers that it was beginning to make my head spin. Then one day as I was browsing over a newsletter from a writers group I belonged to, I saw the word, “Contest” It intrigued me enough to read on. It was an invitation to Linden Bay’s Starlight Contest, open to all non-authors. The winner would receive a contract with Linen Bay Romance for the publication of their book. The little voice inside my head said, “One more time” and so I looked into the company, researched what style of romance they liked and submitted one of my stories. I held my breath and waited. I was one of three finalists which gave me a huge boost and even though I didn’t win, I was given a full detailed roprt on why my story wasn’t chosen. It was enough for me to feel like I just might be able to do this after all.
How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?
Oh, I was beside myself with joy. LOL I read the letter, stared at it for a few minutes then started yelling, “I did it. I finally did it” My children thought I’d lost my mind. LOL
I’d been married for twenty years at the time, was a stay at home mom pouring my heart into giving my children everything they needed and more but seeing that contract…well, I felt like I had finally accomplished something in my life. This was solely mine. I created it, I worked hard for it and I achieved it. And that was the greatest feeling in the world. J
I didn’t graduate from high school and I never went to University. So achieving my goal of becoming an author meant a lot.
Two days later my hubby and I went out for a nice dinner alone which is a rarity in of itself. J
I also received a wonderful chest filled with goodies from my youngest sister along with a card that said just how proud she was of me. It moved me to tears.
What was the first thing you did as for as promotion when you were published for the first time?
Oh Lord! I went overboard. LOL
I contacted a printing company and had five hundred mouse pads and fridge magnets made up with my book cover and info. I still have a great deal of them. LOL
I’d done a lot of research and had been instructed to have items to give away to readers who participate in my contests. Well, I had no idea how much I would need. That’s one of the first pieces of advice I give to new authors. Don’t go overboard on promo items. LOL
If you had to do it over again, would you have chosen another route to be published?
I wouldn’t change a thing. I am overjoyed with Publishers I am with now. The gals at Linden Bay are phenomenal and so easy to work with and very understanding. They are quick in responding to questions or problems and they’ve been so helpful to me while I learn everything there is to learn about being an author.
Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?
I’ve had five books published since my first book a year and a half ago. Not bad, I think at least, for someone with no education and no clue to what she was doing. LOL Plus, I’ve signed contracts for four more books which are part of a series.
Seducing the Darkness comes out on July 1st
Desiring the Darkness: September
Embracing the Darkness: November
Charming the Darkness: January 2009
Penetrating the Darkness: March 2009
I’m pretty proud of myself for accomplishing what I have so far.
I’ve learned so much since my first book was published. When I first began, editing took months and there were rewrites that needed to be done as well. Now, editing is a piece of cake. But with each book there is always something new to learn and like with any job, you never stop learning.
Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?
I definitely could have done more research into creative writing, and learned more about how to write and create a good story. That was my biggest problem was I had no idea the proper etiquette in writing.
What has been the biggest accomplishment you have achieved since becoming published?
I find that since I’ve been published, new things come up everyday that thrill me! For instance, my first book, Kidnapped, reached number one most recommended read on Ebook mall and stayed there for several days before dropping to number two. Having any of my books hit number one on anything is pretty darn exciting!
And the week after I had my very first book signing for Kidnapped, it hit the number one best sellers list for trade paperback romance at McNally Robinson’s Book store! I’m still giddy about that and it also makes me nervous. I have a book signing coming up at the end of July for all three of my passion books. They have a lot to live up to if they want to beat out Kidnapped. LOL
If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?
Once upon a time not so long ago I aspired to become a counselor. I wanted to help abused or neglected or troubled children. I’ve always been a good listening, and I love trying to help people overcome obstacles and who better to start with than children. But I put that dream on the back burner to raise my children and by the time they were all in school, I was too chicken t go back to school myself. LOL
I think things worked out just fine for me. J
Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?
Oh no, I wouldn’t give up what I have now for anything. My heart and soul belongs to writing. It’s who I am, what I am. If I couldn’t write I really do believe I would lose my mind. I have to create, and long before I ever considered becoming published I wrote simply for me. If I’d never been published I know I would still be writing just for myself. What a joy it is for me now, though, to know I bring happiness to those that read my work!
How do you see yourself in ten years?
A little greyer in the hair, more wrinkles and probably wearing glasses because I’ve noticed my eyesight is fading. LOL
Seriously, I see myself sitting right where I am, my fingers clicking away on the keyboard creating yet another story of love, suspense or fantasy and loving every minute of it.
Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?
Never, ever, give up on your dreams! Even if the rejections come at you in buckets, keep plugging on. Just because one editor didn’t like your book, doesn’t mean the next one will feel the same. And never stop learning your craft. Research publishers; find out what they look for in a book. Join writing groups and have other writers look at your work and give you input. That is very important! I don’t know what I ever did without my Critique partner. She is a treasure!
But most of all, love what you do!
ATTENTION: This interview is being brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion. As a special promotion for Shiela Stewart’s book, DISCOVERY IN PASSION – BOOK 1 IN THE PASSION SERIES, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away one FREE virtual book tour or $25 Amazon gift certificate to one lucky person who comments on Shiela’s blog stops during his virtual book tour in July. Leave a comment below to have a chance to win one of these prizes! For more stops on Shiela’s book tour, visit www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com.
Beyond the Books 