Book Feature: Hiren’s Magical Adventure by Kathleen Patel + Author Interview (click here)
I'm so honored...Victoria is an incredible young lady : )
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Always a book lover- she's brilliant!
Book Feature: Hiren’s Magical Adventure by Kathleen Patel + Author Interview (click here)
I'm so honored...Victoria is an incredible young lady : )
Posted by Victoria Teoh
Friday, June 8, 2012
Guest host: The one and only Jeremy Laszlo
Please allow me to introduce the incredibly talented author,
Jeremy Laszlo:
The Blood & Brotherhood Saga is in my opinion, unlike any
other fantasy you have read before. Sure it has familiar elements of a
traditional fantasy read, but I really wanted to take the story somewhere else.
I wanted to go deeper with the story, and darker with the plot at every
turn. I can honestly say, that having read thousands of fantasy novels
myself, I have never seen anything else like The Blood and Brotherhood saga.
Perhaps other writers were afraid of trying something different for fear
of how it would be received by readers. Perhaps they try to keep their
work lite in order to widen the spectrum of readers. This is just my
speculation, but I chose not to constrain my creativity just to sell a few more
books.
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The Saga starts off with The Choosing, which by most accounts is
a traditional fantasy story. The book chronicles the
life of a few brave young men and women who journey to the City of Valdadore
for the choosing ceremony. Each of the young adventurers has a limited
knowledge of the world at large, and knows even less about the ceremony to
which they are approaching. The Choosing ceremony is traditionally a gathering
of young adults from around the realm who are then drafted into service to the
kingdom for a period of no less than five years. Not all are conscripted
into the armies of Valdadore however, many will be ushered into other services
to the realm, at least that is what they beleive.
The kingdom of Valdadore is in a precarious position. A dark
army gathers to the south of the kingdom, threatening to strike at any time.
In weeks past many villages have been razed, the men
and children slaughtered, the women raped and taken as slaves to the
inhuman army. Facing a superior force, what purpose will the kingdom
choose all those who come to the choosing ceremony for? What fate lies ahead
for those swearing their service to the kingdom?
Imagine if you will that you are seventeen. You were raised
in a small village where every one of your neighbors is like family to you.
The world outside your home is much a mystery to you, and you would like
nothing more than to simply live out your days in the village where you were
born. Alas this is not an option. As you have reached adulthood,
you, like everyone else your age, has been summoned to the castle city of
Valdadore to be forced into a life not of your own control. You have
heard rumors of an impending war, and as such it is likely that you will be
forced to join the armies of Valdadore. With impending battle, you likely
will not be properly trained and as such are consigned to die within weeks of
leaving home. What are you to do? What can you do? If you
flee you will likely be hunted down and if caught, condemned to death. If
you attend the ceremony you are likely to die.
Imagine that you live in a world where there are great champions
blessed by the gods with mighty powers or abilities. Though none know the
true motives of the gods, and many mistrust them, what if one of the gods vied
for you to become their champion upon the world? What if the bargain
seemed too easy? What if you knew there was more than what you were being
asked? What if your service to the god allowed you to shape your own
destiny? Would you align yourself with a immortal being without knowing
their motives, the cost of your sacrifice, or the source of the power given to
you? What if it meant that you could remain with the one person on the
world that you love more than life itself? What would you sacrifice?
You need to visit Thurr. Take a journey with Seth and Garret
and see what paths they choose. What you find will be sure to surprise
you. What story would be complete without a strong woman you may
ask? None! That is why you might like to get to know Sara, she is
entirely too mischievous for her own good, but who doesn't like a
naughty girl? Meet the gods, meet those who worship them, meet the
champions of Thurr, and witness the birth of Vampires and Werewolves unlike you
have ever before imagined. I warn you, though as I stated above, Book one
is very much akin to a traditional fantasy read, as you progress through the
series, do your best to prepare yourself for the unexpected.
Wait! Before I let you go wandering off to check out Jeremy's
awesome books, I have to tell you about a fun little exercise that we are
doing. We are asking each reader to contribute one word to a list that Jeremy
will have to use to create a poem. You can leave your word in the
comments. Jeremy will only have a couple of days to put together this
poem. Let's see what he comes up with : )
The Blood & Brotherhood Saga Starts here:
The Choosing (Book 1 of The Blood & Brotherhood Saga)
The Chosen (Book 2 of The Blood & Brotherhood Saga)
The Changing (Book 3 of The Blood & Brotherhood Saga)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007WVIHZU
Skulldust Circle- this is a blog Jeremy shares with some amazing authors
http://skulldustcircle.blogspot.com
Follow Jeremy on Twitter and Facebook
Skulldust Circle- this is a blog Jeremy shares with some amazing authors
http://skulldustcircle.blogspot.com
Follow Jeremy on Twitter and Facebook
Thursday, June 7, 2012
New Release- Deadly Science by Amy Mannemann
K-Congrats on your new release, Amy. Thanks so much for joining us
for an interview today. You are finishing your second novel in the 'The TaciAndrews Deadly Series'. What inspired
this series?
A-The whole idea of
a conspiracy theory is what inspires most of the series lol I enjoy a good
mystery mixed with humor so writing the Deadly Series has seemed to come
natural to me. The first book (Deadly Reunion) was inspired by the possibility
of attending my own high school reunion and the trepidation I had with that
idea. While the reunion never came about the story I gained from the experience
was well worth it. The newly released Deadly Science (book two) was in a round
about way inspired by my surroundings as I work part time for a medical office.
While the story itself is fictitious it leaves a reader wondering “What if?”. 
If your series is made into a
movie, who would you like to see cast in the roles?
A-Oh wow, if my series was made into a movie I
would be ecstatic!! Hmm, I honestly have no clue about a cast of characters as
this isn’t something I’ve ever considered. I just enjoy writing and telling a
story. What comes of it…..well, we’ll just have to see.
Please share with us, what is
your writing ritual? Where do you like
to write? How often? Do you schedule
time or wait for inspiration?
A-I would LOVE to say I have this fantastic
writing ritual that would leave all other authors jealous but I’m pretty much
like everyone else. I write when I can, where I can. As mentioned above I work
part time and have two young children at home so between work and running to
sports practices/games it makes writing a difficulty. I tend to carry a small
notebook in my purse to jot down ideas as inspiration hits, then go back later
and type away on my laptop. So not a perfect science, but it seems to be
working out OK so far!
Balance seems to be an issue
that most authors grapple with. I know it’s hard for me. How do you balance
your personal life with your writing and the promotional aspect of
writing?
A-I don’t think that perfect recipe for
balancing your personal life with writing and promoting exists. I just do
things when I can and always remember that my family comes first. Without their
constant love and support I wouldn’t be where I am in the first place.
K-I have a ritual. I like to do
a “writing exercise” with the authors that I interview. I give them a scene and
then ask them to re-write the scene in their own special style. Are you game?
A- Sure!
K-Okay- here you go:
Anil sat quietly in the dark room,
staring down into the amber liquid in the glass he held in his hand. He quickly
swallowed the whiskey, in one gulp. Then he screamed out filthy obscenities,
while he hurled the glass to the floor. He grimaced as a large glass shard bounced
up and lodged in his bare ankle. He reached down and grabbed the glass shard,
and pushed it deeply in to his skin, and then pulled the shard through his leg,
all the way up to his knee.
"Arrrrrrrrrrrrrr!"
He screamed out in pain and then
grabbed the glass shard and threw it back on the floor. He didn't notice the
blood gushing down his leg and pooling on the floor. He felt a little better
now. He had discovered that cutting himself seemed to calm him down. Sometimes
he became so irate and agitated it took more than just a few cuts. It was
starting to escalate. Like a drug, he needed more and more. The month before he
was not able to soothe himself until he had sliced off his pinky finger
A- Anil sat in the silence of the dark room,
staring blindly at the glass of amber liquid in his hand. Lifting it to his
lips he tipped the glass up, swallowing the contents in one gulp. Satisfied by
the burning sensation making its way to the pit of his stomach, he drew back
his arm, hurling the glass to the far side of the room. It shattered with
satisfying ease, drawing a bitter smile from Anil, until a glass shard bounced
back and pierced his bare ankle.
“Arrrrgggghhh!” he cried out, reaching down to
pull the shard out and toss it aside.
It figured he would get cut by the very thing
he meant to destroy. Not that it mattered much. The pain was just another tool
for him to use in the blackness that filled his soul. The more pain he
inflicted, the better he seemed to feel. Life was about pain and it called to
him like an aphrodisiac he was unable to deny.
K-Oh that was sinister! Loved it!!
Do you have any upcoming events
or book promotions?
A-I am currently promoting my new release,
Deadly Science, and have several blog tours coming up. You’ll be able to find
the information on my website for all the stops.
K-Amy, thank you so much for
joining us. It was wonderful chatting with you.
Where can people find you and your work on the web?
You can find me on my:
Kathleen thank you so much for having me, this
was a lot of fun!!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Interview, Casting & Writing Exercise with Diane Rapp
K- Thank you so much for joining me again, Diane. I am such a fan. I so enjoy your writing and this was a real page-turner! You develop the characters with such depth, even the animals. How do you get such great insight with the animals? I really got a kick out of Killer, the bossy Mongoose.
D- I’m addicted to nature programs—except for the icky stuff like spiders and gators. I actually saw some mongooses grabbing snacks at “High Tea” when we visited the island of St. John in the Caribbean. They were so fast we only captured blurs on our still photographs—and I really wished we had a movie camera. They’re engaging creatures and I couldn’t write about Felesia without giving her a mongoose who loves to catch snakes. Killer was eager to feed snakes to the baby dragon, Flash.
Mother Nature produces the most interesting creatures, ones that authors might not have enough creativity to imagine. Recently I watched a program about sea creatures and saw a cuttlefish. This creature flashes colors over its body in the same way I imagined my dragons display colors in their wings. It was mesmerizing and I immediately searched Google for more videos. The video of the Flamboyant Cuttlefish is riveting.
K- You really got me curious about those Cuttlefish. I found a video and it was amazing. Here’s a link.
Back to the book: It was great to see the previously abused women become empowered and actually train to be soldiers in the battle against their abuser, Jarrack. Was that a political statement?
D- I didn’t think about that when I wrote the story. It probably came out of my own experience as a child. I wasn’t abused but my father and mother argued until he flew into a wild rage and hit her. It scared me to death until the day I told him to leave the house because I was calling the police. He threatened to hit me, but I calmly said, “Go ahead. I’m still calling the police.” I was shaking but he looked at my face and left the house in tears. They got divorced soon after—his choice. I eventually developed a good relationship with my father but my parents were toxic for each other.
Whew! I didn’t know that idea was lurking behind my Samurai women until I started answering the question. I’m glad I gave them the power they needed to help defeat Jarrack. So how much do I owe you in counseling fees? When’s our next session, I’ll bring tissue.
K- Glad to help. My family calls me Dr. Patel : )
No interview would be complete without a discussion on casting. Who will play the roles?
D-Since the daughters are really the clones of Krystal (Dr. Alexander managed to change their eye color and hair color), they must be one actress or twin sisters. I thought about the Olsen twins (too thin) but I did a Google search and two sets of twins look interesting. Nicola and Teena Collins and twin sisters Connie and Cassie Pownie are beautiful (so I hope they can act). Google their names and tell me what you think. We have all the returning cast from Howl of the Wolf. Nathan Fillian might still be a great Donovan but Sam Worthington could edge him out, the cute young hunk. He was fabulous in Avatar and now he’s doing lots of different movies. I hear Julianne Hough is doing another movie and she’d look good next to Sam Worthington. (We’ll just clone them if they’re too busy.) I think Zachary Quinto might make a good Jarrack. He was a wonderful villain on Heroes and played a convincing Spock in the last Star Trek.
K- Between the twins, I would go with Connie and Cassie. However, I found some other twins Kelly Aldridge and Sabrina Aldridge that you might prefer... I like Nathan Fillian as Donovan and Julianne Hough would be perfect. What about Jack Black (with black hair) as Jarrack? He’s chubby enough. But, it's up to you.
Now, if you’d like, we can do the writing exercise.
D-Let’s try it.
K-Here you go:
I could hear the chanting. It sounded distant. I tried to sit up but to my horror I found that I could not move. I was completely paralyzed. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was vibrating in my skull. As I struggle to move the feeling of dark foreboding increased. Then I saw him. He was standing over me, his long black and gray hair hanging down like tendrils from a dirty mop. He smiled and that was when I saw the pure evil. The panic spread through my body like molten lava, burning a line from my toes to my head. He reached down and started shaking me by the shoulders.
“Wake up, wake up Shari . You're having a nightmare.”
D-
Smoke fills the room and music throbs in my head. Someone wants me to come closer, compels me to obey, but I can’t move. What’s wrong with me? I’m burning hot and sweat trickles between my breasts. The beat of the music vibrates through my skull and I feel the heat of his body coming, step by step, toward my bed.
I need to cover myself, but he won’t let me. Now I see him! Panic sears my veins like molten lava, shooting from my brain down to my toes, and it’s impossible not to look. Intense black eyes capture my gaze and his stringy gray hair moves like snakes writhing as he bends over me. That’s not the worst! He smirks at my pitiful attempts to break free from his control, and his sick thoughts sink into my mind. He’s evil, pure evil! Please someone, help me get away! I scrunch my eyes closed and shudder when I feel a hand grip my shoulder.
“Wake up. Shari , wake up.” I hear my mother’s welcome voice. “You’re having a bad dream, honey.” I’m not sure Jarrack is just a dream.
(You set me up to show you a glimpse of Jarrack in this one. Thanks.)
K- Wow! I love it! You never disappoint : )
So, what is coming up, Diane?
D-I’m so glad you asked! Dragon Defense is scheduled for release in July 2012. I’m still teaching our dragons how to gently greet guests before the virtual Facebook launch party. We have a few lessons scheduled before I dare let Earth humans pet them. Their eating habits might be a tad…gross…but their wing colors are incredible to see. I’m wondering how we transport giant eels and huskers from Drako so the dragons won’t consider guests…just walking appetizers. It’s difficult to schedule an intra-planetary party.
I’d better explain. I introduced one baby dragon, Flash, during Havenshire Resistance and she was most helpful during the battle against Jarrack. In the next novel, Dragon Defense, Felesia makes friends with a whole flock of dragons—much larger than Flash. The dragons might be instrumental in saving Drako from being destroyed.
We’ve also got new characters. Shariel is a grown daughter of Jarrack, who escaped from her father as a child. She inherited the talent of mind control and worries that she might become evil like her father. Donovan’s family must deal with Jarrack but he’s in a new form that might be more terrifying. A desert rider named Salizar and a new lordling named Brandon stir up “courtship” trouble with the princesses.
The best new characters in the new book are the dragons. Blaze and Dazzle have so much fun rescuing people that they allow weak little humans to ride on their backs—a new game. The humans need to make friends fast. They must keep their dragons’ interest and persuade them to help save the planet. Wait until you meet Sparkle…she’s waiting to take you for a personal tour of the dragon seaside cliffs.
K- I can't wait to read it! Where can we find you on the web?
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