Cloaked by T.F. Walsh

 

Interview with T.F. Walsh, Author of Cloaked

What made you decide to be an author? I grew up listening to bedtime Romanian stories that could only be compared to the Brothers Grimm tales, and ever since then folklore and mythology has fascinated me. These influences have trickled into my stories, and in particular Cloaked & Cloaked in Fur, which are based in Transylvania—a place seeped in legends. Now, when it comes to love, I’m a sucker for stories about two people from different worlds falling madly in love and fighting against the odds to stay together. This is the story I wanted to tell in The Wulfkin Legacy Series; showing how far someone was willing to go to hold onto true love.

What do you like best about being a writer? What do you like the least? Best part is making up stories and letting my imagination go wild. Hardest part is the editing and getting it perfect.

How do you think your life experiences have prepared you for writing? Growing up with my father as an author, I’d always had books around the house and was encouraged to read when possible from a very young age. So this definitely got me into wanting to write my own stories.

Have you ever felt as if you were being dictated to while you wrote a book--as if the words came of their own accord? If yes, which book did that happen with? To be honest, that happens in all my books, but not for every scene. I got with the flow and let the characters in my head tell their story as they see fit, even if sometimes they refuse to talk to me.

You’ve written eight novels and are working on a 9th novel. What’s your favorite time management tip? Breaking up a big goal into small daily ones that are easy to achieve. Before I know it, a huge project is close to being completed. Planning ahead is a big part of that.

Are you a plotter or a pantser, i.e., do you outline your books ahead of time or are you an “organic” writer? Plotter. I always outline my books down to chapter summaries. I have to know where I’m going before I can write the story.

If you had one take away piece of advice for authors, what would it be? Join a critique group for writers and don’t be shy about sharing your stories. As writes we are so close to our stories that sometimes we miss the most obvious holes in our tales.

Did music help you find your muse with this book? If yes, which song did you find yourself going back to over and over again as you wrote? I listen to a myriad of songs as I’ve created playlists for different scenes I’ve written – action scenes, romance ones, emotional driven ones. The songs vary from rock to pop to classical.


Book Description: Raised by an overly protective wulfkin pack, Daciana leaps at the chance to venture into the human world for her one-year independence ritual. But after someone steals the endangered bear cubs she’s been assigned to protect, she must locate them or lose her job and return home in disgrace. The sexy inspector on the case isn’t making this any easier. He knows nothing of her kind, and wulfkin rules forbid relationships with humans.

Newly divorced Inspector Connell Lonescu trusts no one but himself. He’s convinced relationships are a waste of time and thinks burying himself in work will ease the pain. Yet he’s attracted to the gorgeous and mysterious Daciana, even if there’s something slightly odd about her. Can Connell learn to trust the sexy but secretive woman?

Cloaked is only 0.99c

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Excerpt:  CHAPTER ONE

DACIANA

Damn bear. Leaving footprints on the outskirts of the forest, winding around the apartment blocks, and scaring locals for the past week. No wonder the cops had threatened to shoot him on sight today.

Sunrise wasn’t far away; neither was my transformation from wolf into human, so I had to hurry. Romania’s morning breeze wove through my fur, and the distinct dried-clover-and-grass scent screamed bear. He was definitely here—always just before dawn.

Not that I should care. Wolves and bears weren’t the best of friends. But I’d seen the way humans made killing us a sport, and I couldn’t stand to see any animal hurt.

Careening around the corner of the building, I halted and silenced my breaths.

Fifteen feet away was a frizzy, brown bottom sticking in the air. The bear that belonged to that butt balanced on the edge of an oversized trash can, head down inside, his scratching and grunting muffled.

A few steps closer, I snarled, the sound vibrating through my chest.

The bear jerked upward, a butter container sitting over his nose. He clacked his teeth and forced an expulsion of air, throwing the container off his face.

I backed up. Yep, this might be a funny moment on television, but not when you were the one facing the six-foot animal standing on hind legs.

He flopped back onto all fours and momentarily gazed back at his trash.

I have no plans to take your garbage. A growl slipped past my throat, and I lowered myself, feigning attack posture. Come on, boy, get out of here before it’s too late. I stalked forward.

He swiped at me with a front paw, huffing.

I jumped back and circled him.

But he lunged suddenly, slapping the concrete ground several feet from me, and stood there, his mouth hanging open. He roared and made a pulsing sound deep in his throat.

Oh, he felt threatened now. Good.

I ran around him in a circle, faster. His claws swatted at me, inches away, but once I was at his back, I leapt closer and nipped his hindquarters.

His bawling echoed, but I hadn’t drawn blood, and it sure as hell was better than a bullet.

The crunch of leaves sounded, followed by footfalls, from around the building behind me.

I flinched and sniffed the air. Humans.

The bear turned and ran away from the trash, from me, from the city, heading toward the forest. I chased after him to make sure he got as far away from here as possible.

He bolted faster, his paws hitting the ground with each pounce.

“The bear. And a fucking wolf?” a disembodied voice boomed from my left. In the empty grassland between the apartment block and the woods, two police officers with rifles watched us. They were there to hunt the bear and broke into a run in our direction.

Fuck, this was bad. Really bad. I burst into the dense Transylvanian forest behind the bear, trampling foliage and dried twigs. He’d swung right and already put distance between us. He was safe, but what about me?

Heading straight ahead, I sprinted across forest floor, dodging low branches. I glanced behind me. Footfalls resonated, and the two figures raced my way. Heavy breaths strangled my lungs as I bolted. The ground flew beneath me and fresh pine-scented air splashed over my face, promising escape. Except my heart was attempting to break free from my chest.

A shot was fired, and I scampered faster. Ten pulse-wrenching minutes later, the police were nowhere in sight or smell range. That didn’t mean they couldn’t still be trailing after me.

The first ripples of a transformation into my human form crawled through my back legs. I scrambled up the hill, claws digging into the soil for leverage with each rapid lunge.

Not yet.

My body shuddered, and I stumbled forward, shivering uncontrollably as thousands of tiny bite-like nips swarmed across my flesh. I whimpered, and a long exhale gushed past my lips. The change was happening.

Cloaked is only 0.99c

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Coming Soon

Cloaked in Secrecy (Book #2) – March 2016

Cloaked in Blood (Book #3) – May 2016

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TF Walsh emigrated from Romania to Australia at the age of eight and now lives in a regional city south of Sydney with her husband. Growing up hearing dark fairytales, she's always had a passion for reading and writing horror, paranormal romance, urban fantasy and young adult stories. She balances all the dark with light fluffy stuff like baking and traveling.
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www.goodreads.com/author/show/7150942.T_F_Walsh
www.amazon.com/T.F.-Walsh/e/B00DW1C56Q


Tour giveaway
5 custom made bookmarks featuring Cloaked book cover
2  $10 amazon vouchers

Sands of Time: Fate of the True Vampires by Christine Church

Interview with Christine Church, Author of Sands of Time: Fate of the True Vampires

What made you decide to be an author?  I didn’t choose to be a writer, it chose me. I was born with an intense imagination that needed release. My big loves were in acting and music, even though I wrote a lot, it was for me. Due to being born with a severe chemical imbalance in my brain, traveling as I needed to fulfill acting and music dreams couldn’t happen. I was for the  most part home bound.

I actually started writing “seriously” when I was nine years old. I would sit down with several sheets of paper and pen a "picture book" with drawings and text, then tape them all together (I guess I was too young to be allowed staples) and give them a title. I even gave them a publishing company name. By middle school, my disability earned me the status of being one of "those kids" who was bullied, spat on, name-called and kicked around. To escape, I sat in the back of the class and wrote short stories about rock stars and horses. Most of my stories were paranormal or fantasy (one that I wrote when I was 15 years old, is now a full novel called Beyond Every Mirror, not yet published, but hopefully soon). In 10th grade, I quit school, got my GED and went to college.

The first novel I wrote (a romantic thriller) wasn't very good, but I didn't know that at the time. I was asked for the completed book by several editors and agents in NYC and their rejections made me start to really look at my writing and compare it to other (published) books!

I started writing non-fiction then, as I had heard "write what you know." I knew almost everything about cats, so I wrote a cat care book. In the meantime, I did have a few articles published, one in a world-renowned magazine (ironically, Dog Fancy). It took years of rejections and rewrites, but my cat care book finally made it into the realm of traditional publishing (which is a story in itself). For several years I was handed nonfiction book assignments by various publishers, but that eventually came to an end when others caught on and books under my topic became commonplace (but I was the first!! lol)

In the meantime, I found the right medication (after a lifetime of being misdiagnosed and put on meds that made me more of a zombie than the Walkers on the Walking Dead), and started to feel more like a real human being. I then did something I had only dreamt of my entire life... I bought a horse! My very own wonderful, gorgeous, perfect, life saving horse!! How I came about him is a magnificent story in itself, and one day I hope to write it into a book. He saved me! After a few years, I was able to get myself onto a train and travel to NYC...alone!

As a trained actress, I did little shows and stuff in NYC while still working to get a novel published and learning the craft. Unfortunately, by this time, well into my 40's and with a horse to care for, and not 100%, I could only do little things here and there. I have found since, that so many roads are now closed to me due to my age and certain limitations. I'll never be a rock star (or marry one, my other dream growing up lol), I'll never be a famous actress (though, I do still go down to NYC for seminars and classes). But my writing is still there. And it's something I work hard at every single day!

Two years ago, I had completely redone and "revamped" one of my old novels. I sent it out to an agent I had met at a local writer's conference. She wrote back about 2 months later saying she LOVED it, loved my writing, said, "oh my goodness, you are talented!" (her direct quote, to add a little brag in there ;-), BUT, she said the market is "over-saturated." I am still looking for an agent or publisher for that book.

In the meantime, I decided to tear apart another book I had written back in the '90's and make diary entries, (not like "Vampire Diaries," more adult with a plot that's fresh and new ideas, but enough traditional to appease all vampire fans). I gave each character their own book and I planned that this series I would SELF publish, which would be a first for me. And so, now there is "Sands of Time: Fate of the True Vampires," and this is only the beginning of a really cool series.

What do you like best about being a writer? What I like best is the freedom. I like/NEED to be my own boss. I am on partial disability due to not being able to “work a regular job” but it pays squat and I have a horse to care for, who is my therapy, keeps me sane, and is my “son,” my entire world. I can write at night, then work all day at the stable in exchange for having to pay for my horse. So he lives at a magnificent place with all the best (that I built for him myself and give him every day) and I work caring for him and all the horses at the barn every day, and it’s a perfect arrangement. I can work there because HE is there! If he was not there, I could get to work every day. So, being a writer gives me the freedom to be able to care for my “son” the way he deserves. It also allows me to disappear from my disability, from my anxieties and be someone else, go anywhere, live my dreams in a sense.
 
What do you like the least? Writing!! I know, sounds strange, I hate writing. I LOVE creating, thinking, dreaming, but typing is tedious and I can’t think out loud, so I tend to write my first draft in long hand in a notebook I carry around and when I think of things, I jot it down. When I am able mentally, I sit down and put it all together. Second drafts are then transcribed to the computer, etc. But the thing I hate most is how darn HARD it is to get traditionally published in fiction (I’ve had little trouble in nonfiction, I am the head writer of a local magazine and have many books in nonfiction). I CHOSE to self publish my Fate of the True Vampires series simply because it is SO hard to get published in fiction, even when you are good. I go to writer’s conferences, I’ve talked to and submitted to numerous agents and editors. I have been told I’m super talented and a great writer. But, the market in paranormal is “over saturated” and so rejections abound and it takes years to get one book out! I’d never self published before, and marketing is OH MY GOD difficult, but I was able to format my book MY way, I did the cover myself AND I am an expert editor. So, I paid no one to do anything with my book and it’s ALL mine. But, the marketing is a nightmare and is taking up much of the time I would rather use writing. However, I have NO money, so I can only do a little and hope for the best.

How do you think your life experiences have prepared you for writing? My LIFE has been writing. So, every experience I’ve had has taught me something that can always be used in a book.

Have you ever felt as if you were being dictated to while you wrote a book--as if the words came of their own accord? If yes, which book did that happen with? Yes!! Every book, every character comes to life for me. Most tell me their stories. When I was writing my fantasy romance novel (not yet published), Beyond Every Mirror, someone fated to be a small minor character ended up being integral to the entire plot, and will be a main character in the second book. The main character of Beyond Every Mirror (Dane) is so much a part of me, he is with me all the time and I have to give him a bottle of wine and send him to bed to get him to shut up so I can write my other books! He has so much voice, he has his own blog!!

You’ve written 10 novels and are working on a Compendium to Sands of Time: Fate of the True Vampires. What’s your favorite time management tip? Write when and where you can! They say “don’t wait for the muse” and that is true for the most part. Sometimes just getting started works… other times you have to MAKE the muse come… for me it’s a bottle of wine, no lights (I have an illuminated keyboard), late night, window open, music playing softly, and my wine!

Are you a plotter or a pantser, i.e., do you outline your books ahead of time or are you an “organic” writer? Depends on the book. For Sands of Time: Fate of the True Vampires, it was a whole other book. I took each character away and started from the beginning. Kesi’s story is key to all of it, so I started with her.

If you had one take away piece of advice for authors, what would it be? PLEASE learn the actually craft of writing well before self publishing. There are so many books published that I feel were just tossed together, barely edited, with no care to really getting into the character’s head. They’re more like book summaries than actually books. When writing, YOU know what you’re character is thinking, but we the readers need to see, feel, smell, hear and taste everything they do (to an extent, don’t go overboard). Go to writer’s conferences, talk to agents and editors, find out what they sell… even if you self pub, this will help you write a better book.

Did music help you find your muse with this book? If yes, which song did you find yourself going back to over and over again as you wrote?  This is tough, because this book is a small piece of a previous novel I wrote in the ‘90’s… THAT book was written based on the song “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler. But Sands of Time is not based on any music.

Book Description: The main character in this first installment is Kesi (later known as Kesi Akhede, as in ancient Egypt they really had no last names). Kesi is a hybrid; half human and half "Pet Mer," a term used for her father's people who are from another place after theirs was destroyed.

She appears a delusive Goddess. She is ageless. But what she wants most is family. Unable to bear children through her own body, and after the death of her husband, she travels the world searching for a way to "create" a child (later known as “Vampyr”). She offers aid to those who need her. But, her deep desire to have a family of her own is never met until she comes across an alchemist by the name of Yin.

Taking what she needs and leaving behind chaos, Kesi continues to run, to search, and to hope. Her everlasting quest takes her through history, from one continent to the next; from her home in Egypt, to China, Scotland, Rome, and finally France.
Read the journals to hear her story, learn about the truth behind the "myth" of what humans call the vampire, read about her unique take on her species and those they create, and discover the chaos and bloodshed caused by a man determined to put an end to vampires forever.

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/gaCXGCv87AA

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Excerpt:
“Queen of the Nile”
Entries found on Papyrus sealed and preserved within a tomb in Egypt
Circa 20th Dynasty
English Translation, 1958
Believed to be written by Kesi, who lived in a village near Giza, and is later known as Kesi Akhede.

Wind over the desert creates a sandstorm that has left all in ruin. The days of old. Eras long past. Will he believe that I existed long ago and was dubbed "The Nile’s Graceful Queen" by pharaohs and kings? Will he believe that, to Amenhotep I in the eighteenth dynasty, I was viewed as an "exquisite work of art?"

I pray now. Not to the gods the desert people bow to, but to my ancestors and my family. I pray that he will understand what it is I must tell him. Who I am. Where I come from. And where I must go.
I think about the time that has passed so quickly. My heart swells with love for my family, for the desert so cruel yet forgiving, the people, and most of all for Jabari.

Life was once simple yet elegant and my people worshiped. When I was young, I heard say that all of the gods had blessed me with a part of themselves. The grace of Bast, the eyes of Horus, the wisdom of Thoth, and even the cruelties of Seth made me who I am. Perhaps this is true still. And yet I remain as I always have and life around me continues to weave its gradual yet inevitable web anew.
Now, the sands of the Sahara have drifted, propelling the destiny of the Pet Mer in a new direction, forcing me to choose, to make the most difficult decision of my life. A decision on which I have procrastinated for too long. A decision, I know, I must make on this night.  And so, I prepare my journey with a questionable destination.

Christine Church began writing at the age of nine, penning and illustrating picture books, taping them together, and even creating a publishing company. In school, she could be found sitting in the back of the class, writing short stories (she aced English and literature). By 1992 she was professionally published in both nonfiction and short stories. In 1998 her book was traditionally published, which led to many more book deals (nonfiction).

Her books and articles have won many awards. She lives for the paranormal, writes in the deep dark night and has a closet full of Goth clothing rarely worn any longer. By day she works at a horse barn caring for 7 horses, including her own noble steed--her best friend, her “son.” She is a professional photographer, actress, and voiceover artist as well. In rare spare time, she loves riding, archery, swimming, singing and auditioning for “Survivor.”
www.christinechurch.net
www.sandstimebook.weebly.com
http://www.authorchristinechurch.com/
www.twitter.com/christinechurch
https://www.facebook.com/SandsofTimeBookOne/

Tour giveaways
gold and crystal ankh bracelet and necklace

 

Interview with Michael Weekly, Author of Mystical.

What made you decide to be an author? My life is always changing. I’m very indecisive about thigs. I may want to look a certain way then all of a sudden be someone different. Ideas are always flowing in my mind constantly each, and every day. Being an author I have this ability to jot down all of my ideas, and tell all of the stories that are stuck in my head. I feel limitless, and there’s a sense of losing myself in a world that I’ve created. It’s mind blowing when you think about it. Creating a world just from words? It’s pretty insane. At least I can say it calms me down. I’m no longer as indecisive as I thought I was. I have my laptop, notebooks and my ideas. People can read my stories and to experience my indecisiveness within my words, or to become emotionally attached to certain characters…That’s what I think inspired me to be an author.

What do you like best about being a writer? What do you like the least? I like being able to explore characteristics of different characters. I enjoy creating a made up world from my mind and pick and choose what I want realistic or not. My mind drifts off into a ‘what if’ status almost all the time, and writing allows me to answer my own ‘what if’ questions. What I hate the most about writing is knowing the ending to a story and then having to get there slowly.

How do you think your life experiences have prepared you for writing? We constantly moved around when I was growing up with my family. Meeting new people and exploring new places was pretty much an everyday thing for us. Traveling so much kind of influenced me a bit.

Have you ever felt as if you were being dictated to while you wrote a book--as if the words came of their own accord? If yes, which book did that happen with? It was definitely my Mystical series!

Are you a plotter or a pantser, i.e., do you outline your books ahead of time or are you an “organic” writer? I’m a total pantser! I’m he most unorganized person you’ll ever meet. Whenever I try to do outlines I never follow them, so I like to go with the flow.

If you had one take away piece of advice for authors, what would it be? I would say write what you want to write. Do not follow trends and do not get lost with following the crowd. I find it easier to conquer writer’s block when you’re writing something you love.

Did music help you find your muse with this book? If yes, which song did you find yourself going back to over and over again as you wrote? Hands down it would be Tinashe’s Come When I Call. That song was so magical and mysterious to me, it gave me my whole storyline for Mystical.

Tell me more about Mystical.
Sure! Here’s the blurb.
When Eliza Rose found out she was a witch, she thought she’d be casting spells…

However, it turns out Eliza is on her way to becoming a mystical assassin. But first she has to start college with her best friend Dawn Roberts and her feline familiar Jared. If you think college is stressful, try finding your best friend being seduced—nearly to death—by a venomous fairy. Something is horribly wrong, and Eliza must find out what it is.

Knowing who’s who in the Mystical world can be a burden—or save her life…

Murderous mermaids, seductive fairies, and manipulative elves are terrifying enough, but pure witches can become corrupt…and they’re the most dangerous creatures of all. Eliza struggles to discover the source of this chaos, but is repeatedly attacked—and saved by a shadowy figure. On a very personal note, Eliza must learn whether corruption is beginning to claim her mother.

Her strongest ally might be handsome, enigmatic Donovan—but he is hiding a shocking secret…
Donovan wants nothing to do with his old gang—not after the things they’d made him do. But when he meets Eliza, he’s both frustrated by her amateur skills and impressed by her emerging strength, and he feels compelled to help her grow into the assassin she’s meant to be.

Every answer has a price, and there are beings born to corrupt the pure.

Eliza fights to master her skills before it’s too late, while Donovan must determine whether Eliza can be saved…or if she must die to keep her out of the hands of those who would use her powers to reign over all of Mystical.

How about an excerpt from Mystical?
I attempt to move and save her. Instead, I clench my hands into a fist, my throat is dry, and my heart drops inside of my chest. My hands are shaking, and I’m struggling to breathe properly. I can’t lunge forth. I’m too nervous.

I press my lips together. Anxiously, my eyes slide from left to right as I try to think of what I can do to save this innocent girl. I glance down as soon as I hear something moving below me. Gravel on thin strands of weeds puckers out of the ground slowly and slithers up my calves. I cringe as the feeling of the moist dirt on my skin stings my legs.

The sweet wind his wings create brush against my face, intoxicating me and causing my neck to numb. I become drowsy, my vision becomes blurry, and I forget about trying to save her. I’m paralyzed in this peaceful reverie. The smell of fresh roses controls my thoughts and actions. My eyes daze and, though I blink twice to wake myself up, I don’t want to fight against this calm feeling.
It feels amazing.

The weeds continue to wrap around my legs, holding me in place. I shake my head, trying to fall back into reality. I press my lips tightly together and focus on cutting off the weeds slowly. With each slash, it feels like my movement and reactions are slowing down. It must be the scent causing the nerves in my body to act strange. I cover my nose and continue cutting the strands of weed silently.

Each cut increases the growth beneath me. The mud from the gravel thickens, gluing me further in place.

The girl moans in pleasure while the weeds attach to me and cling onto the fabric of my clothing. The noise she is making and the weeds from underneath me are overwhelming me. My heart picks up frantically, and my lips feel dry.

The strange creature caresses his prey’s bruised body. There are glowing hickeys all over her skin. He allows the weeds to slither around her neck slowly. He leaves another colorful hickey on her skin. He kisses her neck, eventually pulling on her skin with his sharp teeth.

The scent of his tongue sliding slowly on her neck flows over to where I’m being held captive. My lips part as her eyes roll back into her head. I can feel my mind and thoughts drifting away with her. I want the creature’s lips on my skin just as much as his prey does.

Think, Eliza, think. Stay focused.

I shudder as the cold wind tickles the tiny hairs on my skin. The guy stops kissing the girl and the moans fade away. He looks up and scans his setting. His eyes lock on my hiding place. I increase my cutting movement as fast as I can. He smirks at me with colorful drool dropping to the ground from his white blade-like teeth. His red lips glimmer in front of me in the shadows.

He lets the weeds take over the girl’s body, preserving his meal for later. She is still stuck in ecstasy.

Her eyes slide in my direction. Even though she must be in pain, she’s smiling. Weeds form around her body, slither up, and then slap across her eyes and mouth.

The creep holding her captive flutters toward me slowly. He reaches out as weeds beneath the ground and roots spring up and wriggle around my ankles and neck. They travel up against my thighs and then slap across my mouth, preventing me from screaming. I am lifted up against the wall, just how the girl is in front of me.

I raise my dagger to try and cut the weed covering my mouth, but I lose my grip and it falls to the ground. I panic, struggling to breathe, but the same scent crawls into my nostrils. Its sweet taste overpowers my senses. My heart beat slows down drastically as my eyes follow the monster, who is floating in front of me, grinning wickedly. He touches my skin with his soft hand, sizzling and calming my emotions.

My heart skips a beat. It’s finally my turn.

Where can readers find more about your stories, books and you on the Internet? I’m very active on Wattpad and Instagram!
Website: www.michaeldweekly.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormichaelweekly/?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaeldweekly
Instagram: @AuthorMDWeekly
Buy Links: http://amzn.to/1IbmirC
Michael, thank you so much for being with us here today. I know my readers will enjoy your work and your interview.
Thank you so much for having me!

Interview with Marilyn Meredith, Author of Not as it Seems.

What made you decide to be an author?
I’ve always written in one form or another. I don’t think it was ever a conscious decision, I always thought of myself as an author. By this time of my life, I know I am one.
 
What do you like best about being a writer? What do you like the least?
I adore the whole writing process—coming up with the idea for the book, creating new characters and problems for ongoing characters, describing the various settings, moving the plot along, reading chapters to my critique group, rewriting and send it off to the publisher to be edited. And of course, holding the finished book in my hand.

What I like the least is the time it takes to promote each book. Don’t get me wrong, there are different types of promotion I truly enjoy, one is being a guest on a blog like yours. I also like doing blog tours. However, to really keep a book in front of prospective buyers, promotion is an ongoing process—too much time on Facebook and Twitter.

I am not fond of the usual book signings where you sit in a book store with a smile on your face and try to engage passers-by. What I do like is giving a presentation about some phase of writing or about my experiences as a writer and about my books. I enjoy book and craft fairs and talking to strangers about my books, not so crazy about the time taken away from writing to do these.
 
How do you think your life experiences have prepared you for writing?
Because I’ve always been a busy person: raised 5 of my own children and several grandkids, worked in many jobs along the way—I’ve learned to be a multi-tasker, something I believe helps me in my daily life, not just writing. I’ve lived a long time and had many experiences so it’s inevitable that some of these experiences have turned up in my books in one form or another.
 
Have you ever felt as if you were being dictated to while you wrote a book--as if the words came of their own accord? If yes, which book did that happen with?
Many authors call this being in the zone. It’s when you don’t have to think hard about what to write, it just comes easily. With me, it happens periodically in any book I’m writing.
 
You’ve written nearly 40 novels and are working on yet another.
At the moment, this is where I am. A new Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel is expected in a month or two called The Crushing Death. I am developing my promotion for it. I am also writing the next Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery which I don’t have a final title for.
 
What’s your favorite time management tip?
Always do what is most important first. If you don’t, you’ll be worrying about whatever it is and not be able to focus on the next task as you should. I do this with my writing too. I like to finish pending projects, or even something like paying bills, so I can put my full concentration on my writing.
 
Are you a plotter or a pantser, i.e., do you outline your books ahead of time or are you an “organic” writer?
I’m a bit of both. I have some ideas written down before I begin including new characters like murder victims and suspects. I don’t always know how a book is going to end until I’m well into writing it. As ideas come to me during the writing process, I write them down. I refer to my notes all along the way.
 
If you had one take away piece of advice for authors, what would it be?
Set aside time to write at least five days a week, but take time off to live.
 
Did music help you find your muse with this book?
I’m not an author who listens to music when I write—I’m too busy listening to my characters speak.
 

Tell me more about Not as it Seems.
Tempe and Hutch travel to Morro Bay for son Blair’s wedding, but when the maid-of-honor disappears, Tempe tries to find her. The search is complicated by ghosts and Native spirits.
 
How about an excerpt from Not as it Seems?
(From Chapter 1)
Tempe and her husband, Hutch, traveled to Morro Bay for her son Blair’s wedding. Blair asked Hutch to officiate at the ceremony, and both he and Tempe looked forward to meeting Blair’s fiancée and her family.

Soon after checking into the Bay Cottage Inn, on one of the main streets of Morro Bay leading toward the beach, Blair arrived.

Her son’s anguished expression alarmed Tempe.

“Oh, honey.” She hugged him. “What’s wrong?”

Blair sank into a chair at the table in the small room. “I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep anything from you. Amaresh’s best friend is missing.”

“What do you mean?”

“No one has heard from her and we’ve talked to everyone who knows her and she doesn’t seem to be anywhere. Amaresh is so upset I don’t know whether or not we’ll be able to go through with the wedding.”

“You have gone to the police, right?”

“Of course. They were reluctant at first to even take the report. The desk sergeant went through the rigmarole that Kathy, that’s her name, Kathy Welling, is an adult and has the right to disappear if she so desires.”

“Amaresh became so angry I was afraid of what she might say. Though her eyes blazed, she explained carefully that Kathy is one of her best friends and was looking forward to being the maid of honor in her upcoming wedding. Finally the officer took down all the information, but I don’t think the police are doing much about it.”

“Oh, honey, that’s terrible. Have you checked with her family and all of her friends?”

“Of course, Mom, but no one knows anything.”

“What do you want me to do?” Tempe asked.

“I was hoping you’d ask. Do you think you could see what you could find out?”

Tempe glanced at Hutch who ran his fingers through his already mussed auburn hair and frowned.
He said, “Don’t you think it would be better if the investigation was left up to the local police department?”

Blair shook his head. “No, I don’t. They aren’t going to work fast enough for Amaresh. What do you say, Mom?”
* * *
Where can readers find more about your stories, books and you on the Internet?
Website: http://fictionforyou.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.meredith
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarilynMeredith
Buy Links:
Amazon 
Barnes and Noble
Mundania Press
Marilyn, thank you so much for being with us here today. I know my readers will enjoy your work and your interview.

Romantic Getaways for Valentine’s Day by Jana Richards, Author of Chill Out

The ultimate gift a couple can give themselves is time. So this Valentine’s Day how can you make time for each other on any budget?
1.    We’re off to Grandma’s House! – If you can’t afford to get away for a weekend, how about sending the kids to visit grandma (or any other reliable adult) for a sleepover? You can stay home and cook your favorite meal together, and then have a totally relaxing and romantic evening in. How about starting with a bath together with scented oil or bubble bath, a glass of wine and candlelight? It doesn’t have to cost much but it brings you closer together. The best part – sleeping in the next morning.
2.    A Small getaway – In my city, some of the big downtown hotels advertise specials around Valentine’s Day that include dinner, a night’s stay and breakfast the next morning. There’s no travel on icy winter highways and it’s totally relaxing, with someone else doing the cooking. Ah, Heaven!
3.    Going the extra mile – If you don’t mind a little travel, I’m sure you can find a small inn, bed and breakfast, or an affordable cottage to rent near your home, like these in Ontario, and these in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. In my neck of the woods, there are fully winterized cottages to rent in a nearby provincial park that come with wood burning fireplaces and hot tubs. You can be as active as you want to be; you can hike, cross-country ski or snowmobile. Or you can spend the entire weekend in bed. Your choice!
4.    Going All Out – There’s no shortage of suggestions for weekend excursions for Valentine’s Day online. Are you reading this in Europe or the UK? The Guardian has dozens of suggestions, from a weekend trip to Bruges, to an excursion to the moors of Yorkshire. If you’re in North America, how about a getaway cruise? Or maybe a ski trip to Whistler in BC or Aspen in Colorado. Anywhere is possible if you have the means!

You don’t have to spend a lot of money in order to get away from it all. All you need is some imagination and the desire to be with your loved one. Whatever getaway you choose, make it something you’ll both enjoy.

Where would you like to go this Valentine’s Day/weekend? What’s your suggestion for getting away from it all and spending time with your love?

Renata Cabral needs to hide for the weekend. Her cousin’s Valentine’s Day wedding means she’ll face embarrassing questions from her large, extended family. Questions like “Why aren’t you married yet?”  Since the breakup of her last relationship, she’s not ready to answer that question. She invents a work-related excuse and escapes to a friend’s lakeside cottage.

Noah Brownlee has been hiding for two years. But now he’s ready to come home and mend his broken relationship with his brother. When a friend offers the use of his lakeside cottage, Noah arrives in the middle of a blizzard with his English Mastiff, only to find the place is already occupied. With her big brown eyes and quirky sense of humor, Renata stirs feelings he thought long dead.

As the blizzard rages, the candy hearts predict love. Can Valentine’s Day work its magic between them?

This is part of a multi-author series of novellas The Wild Rose Press has put together for Valentine’s Day- all can be read as standalone titles

Amazon US    Amazon UK    Kobo    Chapters/Indigo   Bookstrand

Excerpt:
The bedroom door swung open and Renata stood in the opening wearing a short robe that revealed her lovely legs. A light floral fragrance drifted to his nose—he envisioned a field of flowers. Spike brushed past her and entered the room.

“Oh! I didn’t realize you were with Spike.”

“I’m sorry. When he gets a notion, he’s pretty hard to stop. I’ll get him out.”

“No, that’s okay. I don’t mind having him in my room. Besides, I doubt you could make him leave if he doesn’t want to.”

She was probably right. “You’re sure? He snores something awful. And did I mention the drool?”

She smiled. “Yes, I discovered the delights of sleeping with Spike last night. But I have to admit, I kind of like having the big lug around.”
“You’re sure you don’t mind?”

“I’m sure.” She took a step backward into her room, holding the door between them. “I should get some sleep.”

“Yeah.”

She hesitated, as if waiting for him to speak. For a moment he thought she was going to invite him into her room. But then she swallowed and lowered her gaze.

“Goodnight, Noah. Sleep well.”

“Goodnight.”

She quietly closed the door. Noah’s heart beat frantically as he stood outside. He wanted her in a way he hadn’t felt in a very long time, a deep primal urge, an overwhelming desire. Should he knock, ask to come in, ask to spend the night with her? Should he throw caution to the wind and let her know how he felt?

He raised his hand, ready to knock. What if he’d misread the way she’d responded to his kiss? Were his feelings for her simply a product of their isolation together? If she made love with him tonight, would she later regret it?

Fear slapped him in the gut. He couldn’t face another rejection. He let his hand drop to his side and walked to his room.

In her life away from writing, Jana Richards is an accountant/admin assistant, a mother to two grown daughters, and a wife to her husband Warren. She enjoys golf, yoga, movies, concerts, travel and reading, not necessarily in that order. She and her husband live in Western Canada with their Pug/Terrier cross Lou and several unnamed goldfish.

When Jana Richards read her first romance novel, she immediately knew two things: she had to commit the stories running through her head to paper, and they had to end with a happily ever after. She also knew she’d found what she was meant to do. Since then she’s never met a romance genre she didn’t like. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and historical romance set in World War Two, in lengths ranging from short story to full length novel. Just for fun, she throws in generous helpings of humor, and the occasional dash of the paranormal. Her paranormal romantic suspense “Seeing Things” was a 2008 EPPIE finalist.

She loves to hear from readers.  Connect online at:
Website:  http://www.janarichards.com
Blog:  http://janarichards.blogspot.com
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/JanaRichardsAuthor
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/JanaRichards
Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/author/janarichards
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Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274Jana_Richards
Google+ Profile:  https://plus.google.com/100820406211390323245

Tour giveaway
1 $15 Amazon Gift Card