One Word Interview with Lisa Swinton

Today, we welcome Lisa Swinton, author of Fallen Angel to the writing chair. Let's get to it!

Stranded on a desert island. What's your must have item?
Satellite phone so I can call for help wherever the island is in the world and get rescued ASAP!

You are a wise woman.

What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
Jane Austen

That would be a fun lunch. I'll bet she's very entertaining.

Ideal romantic getaway spot?
Just so long as it has a beach, warm water and my husband, I'm good.

Sounds perfect to me.

What trait do you share in common with your main character?
With Antonio - I'm a planner. With Renatta - I love music.

I love music too. Planner, not so much.

You're performing on Broadway. What show are you in?
This changes hourly as I love musicals and have loads of roles I'd love to play. At this moment - Glinda in Wicked.

Awesome. Such fun music in that one. 

Thanks so much for being with us today, Lisa! 

Fallen Angel

Antonio does not believe in love at first sight until he sees her fall into a street in Milan and get hit by a motorcycle. Compelled to know if she can return his affection, he becomes Renatta’s hospital volunteer only to learn that the accident erased her memory. Together they must discover her past, present and future. In the way of happily ever after stand her opera career, tyrannical mother, and fiancé.  Antonio must win Renatta’s heart before she bends to the will of her mother and marries Marcello.  Failure means a lifetime of loneliness, for love at first sight never happens twice.  

You can buy it here: 

Lisa Swinton caught the romance bug early by way of fairy tales and hasn’t been able to cure it since. Instead, she feeds her addiction with romance novels and films. In between being a doctor’s wife and mother of two, she occasionally puts her B.A. in Musical Theater to good use via community theater, church choir and teaching the art of singing. In her elusive spare time she enjoys researching her family tree and baking (especially with chocolate). She loves to travel, Jane Austen, and all things Italian. In her next life, she plans to be a professional organizer 

Social Media Links:

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One Word Interview with Crystal Collier

Today we welcome Crystal Collier, author of Moonless, to the writing chair. Thanks for coming today, Crystal!

Zombie apocalypse! What fictional character do you most want by your side?
Thor

Oh, yeah. He'd be a good choice!
 
What trait do you share in common with your MC.
Facing my fears

An excellent quality to possess.
 
What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
Benjamin Franklin 

I'll bet he would be quite entertaining. Great choice!
 
You’re having your favorite author over for dinner. What are you serving?
Cheese soufflé

That sounds delicious.
 
You've been set down in the middle of your latest book. Weapon of choice?
Kiren’s pendant

A pendant, huh? Sounds intriguing.

Thanks so much for being with us, Crystal!

Crystal Collier is a former composer/writer for Black Diamond Productions. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her blog and Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

MOONLESS: Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.

Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless.

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One Word Interview with Annalisa Crawford

Today, we welcome Annalisa Crawford, author of Cat and the Dreamer, and That Sadie Thing, to the writing chair! Take it away, Annalisa

The house is on fire! Aside from your children, what would you grab first?
My fountain pen.

You are a wise woman.

You're performing on Broadway. What show are you in?
Evita.
 
(Imagine me singing) Don't cry for me Argentiiiiiina!

What's your dream romantic getaway spot?
Florence.

Oh, yes. Anywhere in Italy is good for me.
 
What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
Jane Austen

Fun! I want to come to.

We're holding a banquet in honor of your awesomeness. What are we serving for dessert?
Chocolate cheesecake!

Now, there's a type of cheesecake I can live with!

I live in Cornwall UK, with a good supply of beaches and moorland right on my doorstep. I live with my husband, two boys, a dog and a cat. Despite my location. I neither surf nor sail, and have never had any inclination to try. I much prefer walking along a deserted beach and listening to the waves crashing over rocks. For this reason, I really love the beach in the winter!

 

 

 

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Cat and the Dreamer:
As a teenager, Julia survived a suicide pact, while her best friend Rachel died. Julia’s only escape from her
guilt, and her mother’s over-protection, is her imagination. When Adam arrives in the office, Julia’s world takes a startling turn as she realises reality can be much more fun than fantasy. Finally she has someone who can help her make the most of her life. But can she allow herself to be truly happy?


That Sadie Thing:
That Sadie Thing and other stories is an intense and emotional journey through the relationships that define our lives: a couple breaking up on a rainy night; a woman finding comfort from eating lunch as her best friend lies in hospital; a runaway longing to go home; a teenager oppressed by her father, and many more. All of the characters in this collection are struggling to find their place in the world, attempting to find connections that matter with the people around them, however fleeting. This is a dark, unsettling yet memorable collection.

One Word Interview with Nicole Zoltak

Today we welcome fantasy author Nicole Zoltak, author Black Hellebore to the writing chair. Take it away, Nicole!

Stranded on a desert island! What's your must-have item?
 A fully loaded kindle that has a never ending battery 

A wise decision. Books are necessary for survival for sure.

You've been plunked down in a fairy tale. What character are you?
Snow - but only if she's the Snow in Once Upon a Time.

Yes, she's much better than the Disney version, isn't she?

You are having your characters over for dinner. What are you serving?
Chicken with pesto and wine and something chocolaty for dessert

Your characters must love you! Yum.

What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
Joan of Arc

This is always the question I look forward to most. So many interesting people to choose from. I would love to meet Joan of Arc too!

If you could time travel to any period in history, where would you go? 
Late Middle Ages / early Renaissance 

A fascinating time.

Thank you so much for being with us, Nicole!

Nicole Zoltack writes speculative stories for all ages. When she's not writing about knights or superheroes, she loves to spend time with her loving husband and three energetic young boys. She loves riding horses (pretending they're unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire, dress in garb. She'll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her favorite current TV show is The Walking Dead. To learn more about Nicole and her works, visit www.NicoleZoltack.com or http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com



Black Hellebore: 

Once a year for the past decade, Nicholas Adams returns to Falledge and leaves a black hellebore on his

His girlfriend's twin, Julianna Paige, is Falledge's deputy, struggling to solve several murders. Nicholas, and his alter ego the Black Hellebore, helps her, even as she helps him move on and even start to love again.

Unfortunately, Nicholas wasn't the only one changed in the laboratory explosion, and now there's a supervillain bent on destroying Falledge, and killing the Black Hellebore. But falling in love might prove more dangerous than any supervillain.

girlfriend's grave. While departing Falledge, he chases after a man sneaking into the laboratory and dies for his trouble. A witch brings him back to life, but Nicholas soon realizes he's not the same man. Turns out, magic combined with a black hellebore in his pocket changed him into a kind of a super man.
Black Hellebore, first in a new superhero romance trilogy The Heroes of Falledge.
eBook release: October 2013
print release: January 2014
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
ISBN 10: 1-61252-363-3
ISBN 13: 978-1-61252-363-7

One Word Interview with Randy Lindsay

Today, we welcome Randy Lindsay, author of the LDS speculative novel, The Gathering. Welcome, Randy!

You've been set down in the middle of your latest book. Weapon of choice?
Faith

Amazing answer! I had never thought of faith as a weapon before, but yes.

What one trait do you have in common with your main character?
Doubt

I think all our characters reflect the deepest parts of ourselves.
 
What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
William Shakespeare

Love it! Can I come too?
 
We are holding a banquet in honor of your awesomeness. What are we serving for dessert?
Ice Cream

A man after my own heart.
 
What fictional world would you most like to live in?
Narnia

See? There you go again. Just what I would have chosen. :)

Thanks so much, Randy!

Randy Lindsay is a native of Arizona. From an early age, his mind traveled in new and unusual directions. His preoccupation with "what if" eventually led him to write speculative fiction. According to his wife, "everything is a story to Randy." And it is. The Gathering is his first novel, but he has been published in a variety of science-fiction and fantasy anthologies. He lives in Mesa with his wife and five of his nine children. If you want to find out more you can check out his website at RandyLindsay.net.

Robert Williams didn't expect an early honorable release from his mission, but upon his return home, he sees the reason for the surprise decision. Unemployment, rampant violence, and frequent food shortages have put the United States on the brink of another civil war. As the threads of society unravel, the Williams family must adapt to drastic changes as the long-foretold gathering begins to take place.

One Word Interview with C. Michelle Jeffries

Today, I am pleased to welcome my good friend C. Michelle Jeffries, author of the futuristic suspense thriller, Emergence, to the writing chair. Take it away, Michelle!

Zombie apocalypse! What fictional character do you most want by your side?
Acheron Parthenopaeus from Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunters
 
Excellent! Sounds like a good guy to have your back.
 
You've been plunked down in the middle of your latest book. Weapon of choice?
British .338 sniper rifle
 
Efficient, accurate, and deadly!
 
You are having your characters over for dinner. What are you serving?
Chinese
 
Takeout, I hope. Gives you more time to visit!
 
You've been transported into a fairy tale. What character are you?
The Snow Queen
 
Brrrrrr. I think I'd prefer a warmer character, personally. :)
 
What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
George Washington

I am always so interested to see what historical figures people choose. What a great lunch that would be! I wonder what he'd think of America today.

Thanks so much for being with us, Michelle!

C. Michelle Jefferies practically grew up in a library. The oldest daughter of four, she spent hours devouring books with her mother. When she was ten, she realized that she wanted to write stories like the science fiction books she loved to read. In high school, she met another writer that inspired her to write a novel instead of just short stories. She finished that 189 page handwritten novel the summer of her junior year.

A mother of seven, she put her writing on the back burner while she focused on raising her young children, and volunteering as a breastfeeding counselor in her community. When her children were old enough for her to spend a few hours on the computer, without them burning the house down, she returned to writing and hasn't stopped since. Often writing or editing with a baby in her arms or under her feet.

Married to the guy her high school boyfriend introduced her to; she claims the last 20 + years as her education and mission experience. With a love for natural mothering, and a passion for secret agents and all things Asian she writes about bad boys turned good and fantasy of the urban type. All while beating herself up three times a week in Karate class as she works toward her black belt in Tang Soo Do.

Buy Emergence on Amazon!

A Hitman with a Conscience.

Assassin Antony Danic has never killed an innocent man. At least the corporation he works for has never given him a reason to think otherwise until now. Reeling from a series of demanding assignments, Antony is desperate for some downtime. As he sits on a beach in Tahiti watching his wife play in the ocean, a messenger from his employer delivers a death threat. Suddenly, the hunter has become the hunted. While Antony struggles to find a way out of his till death do us part contract, he's faced with the decision of a lifetime: kill another man who may be innocent, or do what's right even if it puts his family in jeopardy.

One Word Interview with Fay Klingler

Today we have our first non-fiction writer in the writing chair. Welcome, Fay Klingler, author of numerous inspirational non-fiction books, including A Woman's Power, The LDS Grandparents' Idea Book, and Shattered: Six Steps from Betrayal to Recovery. She also has two new books coming out this March! We Are Strong! Mothers and Daughters Stand Together, and I Am Strong! I Am Smart! 

Stranded on a desert island! What's your must-have item?
A water purifier. (Of course that comes with a shaded oasis complete with an active spring in the middle! Oh, yes, and could there be a side pocket on that purifier that produces life-sustaining puree?)

A very practical answer! Especially the shady oasis part. 

If you could travel back in time, what ere would you visit?
You know, when I was younger, I thought I’d make a great pioneer during the 1800s or early 1900s. But lately, when my stomach is empty, I’ve wondered how some of my ancestors managed on little food and very scanty money. What era of the past to visit? No doubt one of the most wonderful times to visit would be the 1970s–1980s when my babies were young and active.

What a sweet answer. That sounds nice.
 
What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
Abraham Lincoln. I have several questions for him and would look forward to a frank conversation.

Ooooh. Wouldn't that be great?
 
You're performing on Broadway. What show are you in?
Mary Poppins. I can really relate with her character role . . .

Yes, I can see that in you. :)
 
What one character trait do you feel serves you best?
Organization and leadership. Oops! You said one character trait. Hmmmm. How about the trait of organizationaleadership?

An excellent trait to have! However you spell it.

Thanks so much for being with us today Fay!


Fay A. Klingler, author and illustrator, is an award-winning creative and technical writer, as well as a sought-after motivational speaker for women’s groups and radio and television audiences. Her expertise includes successful patterns for life, betrayal recovery, and effective grandparenting. Her newest publications to be released in March 2014 are I Am Strong! I Am Smart! and We Are Strong! Mothers and Daughters Stand Together. Fay’s previous publications include: A Woman’s Power: Threads that Bind Us to God; Shattered: Six Steps from Betrayal to Recovery; Daughters of God, You Have What It Takes; The LDS Grandparents’ Idea Book; My Magnificent Mountain; The Complete Guide to Woman’s Time; Our New Baby; and A Mother’s Journal.


Fay loves to hear from her readers. You can send her an email at fay@klingler.com, contact her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FayKlingler, or visit her website at www.fayklingler.com.

One Word Interview with S.M. Anderson

Today we welcome science fiction author S.M. Anderson to the writing chair. I am thrilled to be part of the blog tour for her new sci-fi adventure novel, Copied.


What fictional world would you most like to live in?
Damar 

From Robin McKinley's Blue Sword, I assume? I haven't thought about Damar in a long time, but I'd love to live there too.
 
What are you asking Santa to bring you for Christmas? 
Tuition for Writer conferences

Smart idea! I hope you get lots.
 
Which of your characters is the most like you?
 Xan

The main character in Copied. We writers often have lots in common with our MCs, though I presume you weren't genetically engineered. ;)
 
What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
 Eliza R Snow or  William Tyndale

I love both of those answers so much! Both wonderful and interesting people.
 
You're having your characters over for Christmas dinner. What are
you serving?
Sushi

That wouldn't be my first choice, but I think it would be interesting to dine with your characters.
 
Thanks so much for joining us today!

S. M. Anderson (Sarah Anderson) was born in Lima, Peru. She has lived in seven different countries, on five continents, and speaks a smattering of languages. As a child and even young adult, writing and reading were difficult for her, so difficult that she received extra help outside the classroom and was diagnosed with a learning disability. However, she always loved stories, especially ethnic folktales from the countries she lived in. It was the desire to create stories of her own that fueled her determination to overcome the challenges that came with writing. She has a BA in Art Education from BYU, with a minor in Russian, and a love of power tools. She has a growing family of three kids and currently lives in Springville, Utah.

You can find Ms. Anderson on her website or on Facebook

Adopted off the black market, Alexander Mitchell, has no idea his DNA is copyrighted and property of military weapons giant Texacom Defense. Nor that his DNA is being used to develop an army of clones. When the company discovers he was not properly disposed of 17 years ago, they send an assassin copy, BETA23, to terminate Xan and cover it up After he narrowly escapes BETA23’s first attempt, Xan teams up with Lacey, a genetically engineered genius he’s surprised to find common ground with— only they’re awkward together. Half of the time she stares at Xan like the science project he is and the other half…let’s just say Xan can’t keep his eyes off her lips. When they manage to capture a company copy by luck and sheer stupidity on Xan’s part, Lacey is determined to see the good in their prisoner to the point she believes BETA23 can be persuaded to give them the intelligence they need to keep the company forever off Xan’s back. Xan’s not sure if he can trust the darker version of himself, not when it means gambling with the lives of his family and the possibility of losing Lacey.

Watch the book trailer!

One Word Interview with Jaclyn Weist (with a Giveaway!)

Today we welcome Jaclyn Weist, author of the brand new YA contemporary fantasy novel, Stolen Luck. (Don't miss the blog tour giveaway at the bottom of the post!) Welcome to the writing chair, Jaclyn!

You've been plunked down in a fairy tale. Which mythical creature are you?  
Unicorn

Very beautiful and very wise. Sounds appropriate.

Uh-oh! Your house is on fire! After your kids, what's the first thing you grab? 
Books

If your house is like mine, you'll only have time to save a small fraction!
 
What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with? 
Shakespeare

I'm certain the bard would make a delightful lunch companion.
 
What quality do you share in common with your main character? 
Megan? Her unwillingness to give up. Also, she's not a morning person and neither am I. :)

Both excellent qualities! (Although, I am being converted to morning person against my will.)
 
We're holding a banquet in honor of your awesomeness. What are we serving for dessert? 
Cheesecake
By far the most popular dessert choice. Confession: I don't like cheesecake all that much. I must be missing something!

Thank you so much for being with us today, Jaclyn

Jaclyn is an Idaho farm girl who grew up loving to read. She developed a love for writing as a senior in high school, when her dad jokingly said she was the next Dr. Seuss (not even close but very sweet). She met her husband, Steve at BYU and they have six happy, crazy children that encourage her writing. After owning a bookstore and running away to have adventures in Australia, they settled back down in their home in Utah. Jaclyn now spends her days herding her kids to various activities and trying to remember what she was supposed to do next.
Find Jaclyn on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, or her blog.


Sixteen year old Megan Crenshaw has everything going for her until the day a leprechaun shows up on her doorstep and steals all her luck. Not only that, he follows her around and wreaks havoc in her life. With the help of her friends, Megan must get her luck back before he manages to destroy her life and the lives of all those around her.

Buy Stolen Luck from Amazon
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One Word Interview with R.L. Drembic

Today  we have R.L. Drembic, author of The Knights of the Caers. Take it away!

You're trapped in a dark alley with the bad guys on your heels. Which one of your characters do you want by your side?
Cal

He must be quite the character!

Zombie apocalypse! Weapon of choice?
Lightsaber

Excellent choice! That should stop them.

If you could travel to any period in history, where would you go?
Renaissance

That would be an interesting and exciting time to visit.

What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
Sir Robert Peel

He sounds like an interesting man.

You're performing on Broadway! What show are you in?
The Phantom of the Opera

Good choice. Maybe I should have asked which character you'd play.

Thanks for being with us today!


R.L. Drembic has loved reading from an early age. It wasn’t until shortly after high school that he got the idea for a book of his own. Inspired by a friend’s courage to try and get her own novel published, Drembic began writing and has continued through his college career. Drembic has plans for a dozen more books and hopes for a chance to share these adventures with avid readers everywhere.


Excerpts from The Knights of the Caers
     The flames danced and weaved intricate and ever-changing patterns in the desert breeze.  The light flickered and cast shadows from the rocks around the fire.  Edric sat on an old fallen tree, mesmerized by the dance.  This is where Edric found the closest thing to peace these days, the only place where he could come close to forgetting the past.  But the past was kept near by the bear tooth necklace that always hung like a weight around his neck.  Edric would never stop carrying this necklace though, it meant too much.

      The Knights fought desperately side by side.  The Freemen's charge had been valiant, but now their dwindling group was completely surrounded by the [enemy].  Their chant had also died away as the tide of battle turned against them.
     Edric fought with a dagger in his left hand and a sword in his right.  He furiously tried to hold the [enemy] back, blocking swords left, right, and overhead.  Beside him, Cal fought with two swords.  His skill was magnificent as he whipped the swords around, in unison but individually as well.  On the other side of Cal were Stephen and Quint.  Stephen was still fighting with a single sword but Quint had dropped his and was using the two daggers he favored.
     The [enemy] pressed in on them, but they were no match for the Knights of the Caers.  More and more [enemies] fell, but it seemed like there was an endless supply; each time an [enemy] fell, another one stepped forward.
   
      With the shift in focus to Captain Madiba, Edric and Cal found themselves at the back of the group.  Edric leaned over and whispered, "Why don't we get to be captains?"
     Cal rolled his eyes.  "Remember that time when Osgood let you plot the course back to Eliada. and we ended up in Avid?"
     "Oh, right."
     "However, I'm not sure why I don't get to be captain," Cal shrugged.
     "How 'bout the time Osgood gave you the helm during the mock battle and you almost sank both ships."
     "Yeah, I was never any good at sea tactics," Cal admitted.
     ...
     "Why don't I get to be a captain?" Quint asked, having heard their earlier conversation.  "Captain Quint, it has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"  He said with a grin.
     "You don't get to be captain because you'd paint the Storm Cloud orange," Edric replied, remembering the horrid orange robe Quint had bought back in Eliada.
     "I would not," Quint said indignantly.  "Maybe blue..." he shrugged, mostly joking.
     "So why is Stephen the captain?" Cal asked suddenly.  "It's his fault..."
     "Yeah, but otherwise we wouldn't have a ship and therefore no need of a captain to captain the ship that we wouldn't have anyways," Edric answered quickly.
     "I guess that makes sense... sort of," Cal said, still pretty confused.

One Word Interview with Yolanda Renee

Today we have mystery author Yolanda Renee in the writing chair. Thanks for being with us Yolanda!


House is on fire! What do you grab first?
Patches! (Our house did catch on fire last March, and Patches, my Boston terrier is the only thing I grabbed. I never thought about my laptop, or my purse. I panicked.)

Aw. That's a lucky dog. And I sure hope your house was okay!

You've been called upon to solve a murder. What fictional detective do you want by your side?
Walt Longmire. He has that stoic demeanor that almost but not quite masks a hidden passion.

Sounds perfect!

Which of your characters is most like you?
Mavis.She's a meddler, always right, and has all the answers.

Heehee. That's terrific.

What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
Obama.

Interesting. I think that's the first time a still-living historical figure was named. I hope someday you get the chance!

You're having your favorite author over for dinner. What are you serving? 
Shepherd's Pie. (To have Margaret Mitchell and Stephen King in the same room at the same table – how awesome would that be?)

That would be awesome indeed. And Shepherd's Pie is one of my favorites!

Thanks for asking me Angie, this was a blast!

Thank you for being here, Yolanda!

Yolanda Renée really wanted to be a drummer, or a racecar driver. Obviously she's neither, but they are on her bucket list, that, and owning her very own fire breathing dragon! Renée claims to have always loved books, and that it was through books that she escaped and experienced all the things she'd only been able to dream about. Through the stories, the characters, and the places created by talented authors, such as Caroline Keene, Margaret Mitchell, and Stephen King. She now reads K J Larsen , Jennifer Hillier, Joanie McDonell, J D Robb, and well, pretty much everyone and anyone who gets their words in front of her! SHE LOVES BOOKS! Renée says she's always been a writer, and that making things up gets her through the day - a crazy imagination is a good thing - right? An adventurous spirit took Yolanda Renée to Alaska where she hiked the Brooks Range, traveled from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, and learned to sleep under the midnight sun. She claims her vivid imagination as a blessing, a habit, a hobby, a calling and sometimes a curse. Renée now resides in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, two sons, and Boston terrier, Patches.
You can find Renée here:
~ Defending The Pen ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~


Memories of Murder
Decades ago, the seeds were planted …
Today, dark, fathomless eyes rake the image before him. One final task and the transformation is complete. Steady fingers screw intricately carved horns on each side of a stiff brow, and a gargoyle suitable for Notre Dame scowls from the smokey mirror in satisfaction. A jagged smile rips through his smooth, hairless face, and inked, reptilian scales caress his naked body. A laugh of hideous resonance emanates from his gut as the demons of hell welcome Lucifer into their fold. In a dungeon-like chamber, his Lilith awaits. The kidnapped daughter of a nun, groomed to fit the final piece in the complex puzzle for world domination. Will Lucifer marry his bride, on the summer solstice? Only two things stand in his way ...His greed ...
And ...
Detective Steven Quaid.
***** ***** *****
~ Memories of Murder ~&~ Murder, Madness & Love ~
Amazon ~ Kobo ~ B&N ~

One Word Interview with Sarah E. Seeley

Today, we have Sarah E. Seeley, author of Maladaptive Bind for a Halloween-themed One Word Interview. Welcome, Sarah!

Trapped in a monster movie! Which character are you?
I would be Evelyn from The Mummy. She's honest, smart, a little bit clumsy, and she totally cracks me up.

Heehee. Good choice.

What quality do you have in common with your main character? 
I'd like to think I have Angela's determination to face and overcome my inherent character weaknesses for the sake of my (future) children.

 That is an excellent quality to possess.

What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
I'd love to have lunch with Charles Darwin. I think we'd be good friends. 

Interesting! I'll bet you two would have a great conversation.

The little goblins are coming Trick-or-Treating. What candy are you handing out?
Mwahaha. Probably the first thing I'd hand out are the full-sized boxes of Jr. Mints that have gotten hard since we bought them as movie contraband a year ago. Then I'll hand out the good stuff (gotta save the best for last, right? Make sure there's enough bite-sized Twix and Snickers left over as an excuse to eat them myself). You can blame my dad for these tactics, haha. Just kidding. I'll probably mix a couple of NEW random bags of goodies of no particular preference. That just sounded way too boring by itself, so I thought I'd make it a little more intriguing. Although, I'll probably still swipe a few treats for myself... ;-)

That was more than one word, but I'll let it slide. I always swipe a few treats for myself. How else am I going to get any?

Alone in a haunted house! What's your must-have item?
I feel I must have my cello. Nothing keeps the ghosts and ghouls at bay like good music.

I never would have thought of that, but it's perfect!

Thanks so much for joining us in the writing chair today, Sarah. Have a happy Halloween!

Sarah E. Seeley is a speculative fiction writer who worked with dead sauropods and ancient odonates while acquiring her BS degree in geology from Brigham Young University. She hopes to study more dead things in the future and contribute to scientific discussions about what makes life on Earth so amazing. In the meantime, she explores the bright side of being human by writing dark fiction.


Angela Thornley doesn’t know why she’s still alive. When park rangers found her, she couldn’t speak or move, let alone remember what the serial killer, “The Man,” did to her and her husband before he buried them alive. At least, not until she hears the social workers talk about putting her five-year-old son, Blake, in a foster home and she feels his little fingers slip from her hand.

Determined to function so she can protect and care for her son, Angela works hard to unlock and heal the dark memories of her kidnapping buried deep in her subconscious. But her journey leads to unsettling discoveries about the darkness she harbors in her own soul. Due to an unknown combination of genetic and traumatic triggers, Angela is beginning a rapid, painful transformation. The anger that kept Angela alive is also driving her to dangerous thoughts of retribution on the man that killed her husband and broke her spirit.

Soon, Angela begins attacking innocent victims she believes are “The Man.” As she struggles to cope with her transformation, she must determine how far she is willing to go to protect her son and avenge her wounded psyche before she becomes the very sort of monster that bit her.

Maladaptive Bind, is an LDS psychological thriller with a speculative twist, available as of October 3, 2013 in paperback on Amazon and electronically just about anywhere ebooks are sold.

One Word Interview with Kevin Crouch (and a giveaway!)

Today we welcome author Kevin Crouch, author of Borrowed Lives.

Stranded on a desert island! What's your must-have item?
My wife—I would want someone interesting to talk to.

Aw. That's sweet. :)

What period in history would you most like to visit?
1755—I want to know what life was really like in the court of Louis XV.

That sounds fascinating.

Which of your characters is most like you?
Idella Pinson— but perhaps not in a positive way.

It is amazing what our characters can teach us about ourselves, isn't it?

We're having a banquet in honor of your awesomeness. What are we serving for dessert?
Crème Brulee—is an explanation really necessary?

Mmmm. Sounds wonderful.

Which historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
Josephine Beauharnaise— she witnessed the most transformative events of 18th and 19th Century history.

What an interesting woman. I would like to meet her too!

Thanks for being joining us in the writing chair today, Kevin!  

Kevin has graciously agreed to give a copy of his novel, Borrowed Lives, to a reader of the blog. Just leave a comment, and you'll be entered! Leave your email address, so I can reach you. Drawing will be held on Wed. October 23.

About Kevin Crouch
I grew up in a beautiful Northern California village that was entirely too small for my big imagination. Nearly every free hour was spent at the local library, reading about distant places I could only dream of visiting, and people whose lives were far more interesting than my own. At night, I would fall asleep imagining myself occupying the lives of the people that I came to know on paper.

Eventually, I escaped and was able to see some of the world that I had read about and have adventures of my own. As I continued to read, I became fascinated by the coincidences of history that cut across time: how people and places and dates intersect in unexpected ways, although sometimes separated by thousands of years. Along the way, I acquired a wife and best friend, a degree in fashion design, and a son, in that order.

More years passed. Careers came and went; some glamorous and some not. Over time, I found that the thing I most enjoyed doing was helping others to discover and develop their own talents. Thus, about ten years ago, I became a professor of fashion at a design college on the outer fringes of Nashville, Tennessee. I love the work, I love the creativity, and I love the freedom to dream.

I have co-authored two non-fiction books, at the request of my wife’s editor, The Gospel According to Elvis and Sun King: The Life and Times of Sam Phillips, the Man Behind Sun Records. Before my tenure as a professor, I designed professionally for Vogue, Nevada Ballet Theatre, and Disney. My wife says I have a dry sense of humor, which you will come to appreciate if you sign me to be a client. As a writer, I want to have a body of work, not just one novel. I’m looking for an agent I can form a relationship with to advise and help me achieve that goal.

www.kevincrouchwrites.com
kevin@kevincrouchwrites.com



Borrowed Lives by Kevin Crouch
Synopsis
Reclusive literary researcher Ray Haddon is on the verge of a breakdown. The carefully crafted cyber wall that was created to keep the outside world at bay became a prison after the death of trusted mentor Ruth Meredith. It appears that the only way out of this self-inflicted fortress of solitude is to retreat into the past to figure out how life got so complicated. But this is not solely a mental exercise. The secret behind Ray’s successful career is the ability to travel back in time to gather research first-hand from the borrowed lives of others. So two weeks are set aside for quiet soul-searching in the ancient past.

What should have been a straightforward journey turns to confusion when Ray is unexpectedly trapped in Edwardian London, in the host body of an individual whose troubled life eerily mirrors Ray’s own. Quick to embrace the distraction of fixing this host’s problems, Ray gets embroiled in a chance encounter that offers the possibility of romance. Along the way, Ray’s interference becomes the intersection point for a variety of real life historical personages whose lives intertwine in surprising ways. But what is ignored tends to fester, and before long Ray’s problems seize control. What follows is a disaster that leaves everyone involved worse off than before.

Angry and hurt, Ray finally arrives in 12th Dynasty Egypt, where the calamity of London is almost repeated. Recognizing the mistake in time, Ray is able to work the issues through in tandem with the new host body, coming to the realization that life must be lived in the present, not the past. An attempt to right the chaos left behind in London proves only partly successful, but sets Ray up for the biggest adventure of all: living one’s own life.

Borrowed Lives is the first book in a series about Ray Haddon. There is also a short story, Idella Pinson, about one of the characters from the book.

One Word Interview with Karey White

Today we have Karey White, author of  My Own Mr. Darcy. Welcome to the writing chair, Karey!

You've been set down in the middle of a fairy tale. What character are you?
 Matchmaker 

Awesome! I would love to be the matchmaker too and find everyone their true love! 

What's one trait you share in common with your MC? 
Stubborn 

People talk about stubborn like it's a bad thing. I don't think so. Way to be!

You're having your favorite author for dinner. What will you serve
for dessert?
 ChocolateChipCookiePieWithVanillaIceCream

Yum. Just yum. That is all.

What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with? 
Eve 

Wonderful choice! That would be quite the lunch. I wonder if it would be like lunch with a favorite grandmother. :) 

What is your dream romantic getaway spot? 
Norway 

I've never thought of Norway as romantic, but now that you mention it, sounds wonderful!

Thanks so much for being here today, Karey!

After being dragged to the 2005 movie Pride and Prejudice by her mother, sixteen-year-old Elizabeth’s life changes when Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Darcy appears on the screen. Lizzie falls hard and makes a promise to herself that she will settle for nothing less than her own Mr. Darcy. This ill-advised pledge threatens to ruin any chance of finding true love. During the six intervening years, she has refused to give any interested suitors a chance. They weren’t Mr. Darcy enough.

Coerced by her roommate, Elizabeth agrees to give the next interested guy ten dates before she dumps him. That guy is Chad, a kind and thoughtful science teacher and swim coach. While she’s dating Chad, her dream comes true in the form of a wealthy bookstore owner named Matt Dawson, who looks and acts like her Mr. Darcy. Of course she has to follow her dream. But as Elizabeth simultaneously dates a regular guy and the dazzling Mr. Dawson, she’s forced to re-evaluate what it was she loved about Mr. Darcy in the first place.

One Word Interview with James Wymore

Today we have James Wymore, author of the sci-fi/fantasy adventure The Actuator: Fractured Earth, as well as other books.  Welcome, James! Always nice to have a fellow sci-fi author in the writing chair.

 Alien invasion! Weapon of choice?
Flamethrower

That would come in handy! You can be my alien invasion buddy any day.

You've been set down in your latest book. What character do you
seek out first?
Red 

I'll bet he's a tough one!  

What fictional world would you most like to live in?
Essentia

That sounds exciting!

We're having a banquet in honor of your awesomeness. What are we
serving for dessert?
Cheesecake

A popular dessert choice among interviewees. Confession: I'm not a huge cheesecake fan myself.

What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
 Huxley

Aldous or Thomas Henry? Either way, fascinating choice. Interesting men to meet for sure.

Thank you so much, James! Be sure to check out his blog and his latest release. It sounds like an exciting tale!

One Word Interview with Anna Del C. Dye

Today we have the delightful Anna Del C. Dye in the writing chair. She is the author of the young adult Elfs fantasy series. Take it away, Anna!

What fictional world would you most like to live in? 
Anduriah, the world were my Elfs live.

Sounds terrific. I'd like to visit sometime.
 
You have been set down in the middle of your latest book! Weapon of choice?
Two stylistic short swords, worn across my back.

Those sound both beautiful and handy.

Which of your characters is most like you?
Princess Adren, the main character in “The Silent Warrior Trilogy”. She has lost all her kindred and has to be adopted by another race. I left my Country at 21 and left everything I knew behind to be adopted by another race, customs, language, and love. :)

That's lovely. :)
 
What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
King Arthur at his round table, eating roasted pork, potatoes, corn, hot bread 

Wow. Wouldn't that be something!

You are having your favorite author over for dinner. What are you serving? 
That would be J. R. R. Tolkien and we would dine in the white halls of the White City, Middle Earth: rabbit stew, hot bread and ale. 

Awesome! Can I come too?

Thanks so much for being with us today, Anna!

Anna del C. Dye was born in Valparaiso, Chile, amongst some of the world’s most famous beaches. After meeting Rodney, a native of Idaho, in her hometown, two years later, Anna traveled to Utah on Christmas Eve and married him two weeks later. Their love story, "Why Him?", was published by Covenant in the book entitled Tender Mercies. Anna and Rodney reside in Taylorsville, Utah and are the parents of three princes and a princess. They love to camp, canoe, explore ruins, and have sword fights.

Anna del C. Dye is an accomplished, multi-award winning author. Her short story “Amerine—Fairy Princess” won 2nd place in the Oquirrh Writers contest. The first book in her new YA Romance Series entitled “A Kingdom By The Sea” won 2nd place in The Absolutely Write contest. Book three of “The Silent Warrior Trilogy,” won a bronze seal in the League of Utah Writers. Shahira and the Flying Elfs won Honor in the Oquirrh first chapter contest. Emerine’s Nightmare, a pre-teens short story, won 1st place right before it was released in digital formats for the Kindle and Nook.

Anna’s works include “The Silent Warrior Trilogy,” the beginning saga of her young adult elf series. Book one, “The Elf and the Princess” book two, “Trouble in the Elf City” and book three, “Elfs in a Conquered Realm.” Her stand alone books: “Curse of the Elfs,” “A Royal Elf of Abalon”, now “Shahira and the Flying Elfs” and also her children’s book “Emerine’s nightmare”

One Word Interview with LuAnn Staheli

Today we have LuAnn Brobst Staheli in the writing chair. LuAnn has taken on the challenge of publishing a book a month this year! Wow. I'm super impressed.

Alien invasion! What fictional character do you most want by your side?
Indiana Jones

Excellent choice, that.

You've been set down in the middle of your latest book. What character do you seek out first?
 Ida Mae Ruth

I like her name. I'll bet she's quite a character!

What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
William Shakespeare (We are 12th cousins, once removed)  

That's very cool. I'll bet he's an interesting conversationalist.

You're performing on Broadway! What show are you in?
Mama Mia!

Oh, how fun!

You are having your characters over for dinner. What are you serving?
Breaded tenderloin, mashed potatoes with white gravy, corn on the cob, and homemade strawberry pie.

Your characters must love you!

Thank you so much, LuAnn!

Lu Ann Brobst Staheli got her start as a celebrity paparazzi-stalker-chick, which led to her award-winning career as a ghostwriter for celebrity memoirs. A masochist at heart, she taught junior high school English for 33 years, moved to the school library beginning year 34, and once spent two weeks summer vacation backpacking through Europe with fifteen of her students. She has won three Best of State Medals—two for writing and one for teaching—but refuses to wear them all at the same time because she’d hate to be known as a show-off. Her other published works include Just Like Elizabeth Taylor; The Explorers: Tides Across the Sea; Leona & Me, Helen Marie; A Note With Taking; When Hearts Conjoin, the story of the conjoined Herrin twins; Psychic Madman about mentalist Jim Karol; One Day at a Time: Teaching Secondary Language Arts; and Books, Books, and More Books: A Parent and Teacher's Guide to Adolescent Literature. Lu Ann says, “But 2013 will be the year of the eBook for me. A long list of titles are in the finalization stage, and I’m excited to make them available to my readers.”

Lu Ann’s articles have appeared in Grit, Byline, Scouting, Library Media Connections, and The Writer magazines, and she is featured in the upcoming book release, Best of The Writer. She has published invitational essays in Teaching Secondary Language Arts K-12: It Really Works (Christopher-Gordon Publishers) and Famous Family Nights (Cedar Fort International).

As a Senior Editor with Precision Editing Group, Lu Ann Staheli has had a hand in a number of releases from Deseret Book, Shadow Mountain, Covenant Communications, and other regional publishers, including several winners and finalists for the Whitney Award and New York Times bestsellers. A former Associate Producer of Alan Osmond's Stadium of Fire, Lu Ann resides in Spanish Fork, Utah, with her husband, and tries to keep track of their five sons.

Twelve-year-old Liz Taylor has known for a long time that she would escape—escape the abuse against herself, and against her mother. She just didn’t know how or when. Then the perfect opportunity comes—money left of the table by her mother’s abuser—and Liz is on the run. But a girl her age doesn’t have many options when it comes to hideouts, making a K.O. A. campground and a nearby middle school her perfect choices. If only she can keep to herself, Liz, now using the name Beth, knows she can make it on her own, until things change, and she realizes she must face her situation head on if she is to save herself and her mom.

WINNER — Utah Arts Council Original Writing Competition, Juvenile Division
WINNER — League of Utah Writer’s Juvenile Novel & Diamond Quill

Follow me:
www.luannslibrary.blogspot.com
Twitter: @luannstaheli
Facebook: LuAnn Brobst Staheli, Author

One Word Interview with Donna K. Weaver

Today's One Word Interview features clean romance author, Donna K. Weaver, whose romance/adventure on the high seas novel, A Change of Plans was released recently. Welcome to the writing chair, Donna!

 Stranded on a desert island. What's your must-have item? 
Hubby 

Aw. That's sweet. :)

Which one of your characters is most like you? 
None. All.

Oh, I can relate! They are all like us in some ways, and yet not at all.

If you could take a cruise anywhere in the world, where would it be? 
World

Sure! I mean, why choose just one place, right? (Can I come with you?)

What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with? 
Helen Keller (nonreligious)  

Ooo, Interesting choice. I really admire her. 

We are holding a banquet in honor of your awesomeness. What are we
serving for dessert? 
Cheesecake

Yum. Just, yum. That is all.

Thanks so much, Donna!

A Change of Plans: When Lyn sets off on her supposedly uncomplicated and unromantic cruise, she never dreams it will include pirates. All the 25-year-old, Colorado high school teacher wants to do is forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. Lyn plans a vacation diversion; fate provides Braedon, an intriguing surgeon. She finds herself drawn to him: his gentle humor, his love of music, and even his willingness to let her take him down during morning karate practices. Against the backdrop of the ship's make-believe world and temporary friendships, her emotions come alive.

However, fear is an emotion, too. Unaware of the sensitive waters he's navigating, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship--on the very anniversary Lyn is on the cruise to forget. Lyn's painful memories are too powerful, and she runs from Braedon and what he has to offer.

Their confusing relationship is bad enough, but when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise's snorkeling excursions in American Samoa things get worse. Paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped and Lyn's fear of a fairytale turns grim. Now she must fight alongside the man she rejected, first for their freedom and then against storms, sharks, and shipwreck. Get the audiobook!





Donna K. Weaver has always loved reading and creating stories, thus she’s been ever entertained. A Navy brat and U.S. Army veteran, she’s lived in many U.S. states as well as South Korea, the Philippines, and Germany. An avid cruiser, she’s sailed the Pacific four times. When she retired from Shorei Kempo Karate with a black belt, she decided it was time to put her imaginary friends and places on paper. She lives in Utah with her husband. They have six children and eight grandchildren.

Find her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads

One Word Interview with C. David Belt

Today, we welcome LDS fantasy author C. David Belt to the Writing Chair. His novel, The Penitent, the second in his Children of Lilith Series was a 2012 Whitney Award Finalist. Welcome, David!

Zombie apocalypse! What fictional character do you most want by your
side?
John Carter.

An excellent choice!

Your MCs house is on fire. What's the first thing he would grab?
Daytime: cloak; Nighttime: broadsword.

Of course. He is a vampire after all!

You've been plunked down in the middle of your latest book. Weapon of choice? 
Mortal: M-16;  Vampire: basket-hilt claymore.

Yeah, I think I'd go for the sword myself.

What historical figure would you most like to have lunch with?
John Adams

That would be interesting. I wonder what he'd make of our current political climate.

You're having your favorite author over for dinner. What are you serving?
Spoo.

Wonderful! (Bonus points to everyone who gets the reference.)

 Thank you so much for joining us today!

In all the 6,000 years that the Children of Lilith have walked among us,
there has never been an unwilling vampire . . . until now.

Carl Morgan has lost everything. His wife and children were killed in a
senseless accident. Then he witnesses the murder of his sister at the hands
of a beautiful and mysterious woman named Rebecca. When the police cannot
locate the killer, Carl takes matters into his own hands. But his search for
justice costs him everything he holds dear.

Carl is unknowingly transformed into the world's first and only unwilling
vampire. He is cut off from the light, damned to an eternity of darkness,
barred from heaven and any hope of a reunion with his family.

Moira MacDonald, a repentant vampire, has roamed the earth alone for
centuries seeking redemption. The very existence of an unwilling vampire,
something she thought impossible, changes everything. Has she finally found
a path to redemption . . . and an end to her loneliness?

Carl and Moira discover that Rebecca's vampire Master, Michael, plans to
unleash a plague of vampires on the city. Can Carl and Moira stop the
slaughter of countless innocents?

In 6,000 years, no vampire has ever defied Lilith, Queen of the
vampires...until now.

Moira and Carl Morgan have saved the city from the horror of Michael and his
evil wives, but victory has come at terrible cost.

And there are consequences to every choice, every victory.

Word has spread that someone has broken Lilith's power, that someone has
defied the ancient Queen of the vampires.

And she's not happy about it.

For 6,000 years, Lilith and her Children have walked the earth, hunting,
preying, seducing, corrupting, ruling from the shadows...until now.

An ancient prophecy, spoken by Adam, Lilith's grandfather, foretells her
doom. She will do anything, corrupt any innocent, murder countless mortals
to save herself.

To survive, she knows she must destroy Carl and Moira Morgan.

The war has begun.