Hywela Lyn

FALLENWOOD by Leslie D Soule - Review and guest post

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Tour Contest

Leslie will be giving away a $25 Barnes and Noble Gift Card to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour as well as to the host with the most comments. Comment on each blog tour stop to increase your chances. Full list of tour stops can be found HERE

Today I'm delighted to welcome Leslie Soule to my blog as part of her Blog Tour . I've just read her book 'Fallenwood' and here are my thoughts on the story:

Fallenwood—a land where magic is the life force, dragons are sages, and wizards good and evil battle for supremacy. When 23-year-old Ash is thrust into the middle of Fallenwood’s power struggles, she is also forced to face her own inner battles. Life on Earth was hard enough on Ash, who is locked in grief for her stepfather. Now, the fate of Fallenwood rests on her shoulders. She must destroy the Great Crystal—the catalyst for all the land’s magic. As the kingdoms prepare for war, Ash must look inside to find the power to save the world, and herself.

I really enjoyed this delightful tale of a young girl finding faith in herself, and a reason to go on - of adventure, prophesies, and romance. Like all good fantasies, it has its dark moments, but these are necessary before the final hurdle can be overcome. The heroine, Ashley Kensington, is in the depths of despair when the book opens, mourning the death of her stepfather, to whom she was closer than she is to her mother. After scattering the ashes (is it a coincidence she is called 'Ash'?) she wanders into the woods and is transported through a portal into another world - an 'alternate' Earth, but one where magic is commonplace - and has a heavy price!

The other characters in this book are many and varied, so many in fact I had a job to keep track of them sometimes, but that was due more to my own shortcomings than to the writing. Characters with weird and wonderful names, and not all human either. There is a talking cat called 'Greymalkin', who had not always been a cat, a beautiful but deadly black unicorn, an evil toad, an ancient wolf who guards a crystal of ultimate power, and, of course, dragons. The humans are, for the most part very likeable and easy to relate to, apart from the 'villains' of course, some of whom hide their darker side beneath a surface of charm and good looks. You will meet wizards and magicians, gypsies and a jester, Kings, Queens and a Prince or two and they are all beautifully painted, with interesting and varied personalities. I have to to say I especially liked Will, who is a cental character in the book, and not only a kind of monk, but a magician with his own secret.

The journey for Ash is long and difficult, but along the way she makes friends, as well as the odd enemy or two - and finds her Prince. Most importantly though, she discovers a new faith in herself and a sense of purpose, leaving behind the hopelessness and dreary future she'd envisaged in the world she had known. If I were asked to be critical, I might say there is rather a lot of 'telling' in the narrative, especially in the first few chapters, but this is really being rather 'picky' as it in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the story. There are some really beautiful passages, and much of the description is so vivid and well drawn, I could visualise them as if they were illustrated in colour on the page, or rather, screen.

Altogether a thoroughly enjoyable story, with all the elements required in a good fantasy, including a satisfing love interest. I would not hesitate to recommend it for young adults and more mature adults alike. Now I'll step back to let Leslie herself, to tell us about her world building, and how much is actually based on fact and how much is pure fantasy.

Over to you Leslie:

World-Building: Fact and Fantasy

Leslie D. Soule

Hello there! Thanks for inviting me to join you today.

So the question has been posed as to how much fact versus fantasy I’ve used in the process of building the fantasy world of Fallenwood. For me, this goes back to a debate I had with a co-worker of mine, and an essay by C.S. Lewis where he talks about what fantasy really is. With the debate, my co-worker and I were talking about where ideas are derived from. He argued that when writing fantasy, your ideas shouldn’t be a rip-off of something you’ve seen before – “derivative”, which he used as a derogatory term for something. I argued that everything is essentially derivative of something else, and that there’s nothing wrong with that.

So it’s hard to claim that something is a unique product or creation of mine, because the act of creation involves derivation. Here I’m going to explain the C.S. Lewis essay – he talked about how to create a fantasy item – his formula involved taking two common things like gold and a tree, and combining them to make a gold tree, which doesn’t exist in reality. One of the things I created for Fallenwood was a pack of dragons that usher in the new day, called the Dragons of the Dawn. There are four of them, each a different color. However, claiming them as mine becomes problematic if I think about how I created them – by taking a staple of fantasy literature, dragons, and combining them with the Sword of the Dawn from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (an excellent game, by the way). In the same way, Greymalkin is derived from the “Greymalkin” mentioned in Macbeth and from the talking Redwall creatures I’d read about when I was a child.

Although I can claim the finished products as my own, the things they are derived from are most assuredly not. Let’s see…Magic having a Curse was my idea, but the idea of magic needing a “price” came from the book How To Write Sci-Fi and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card. Portals connecting two worlds is a staple of fantasy literature and I cannot claim to own it by any means – it’s been used by C.S. Lewis, Lewis Carroll, and whoever wrote the screenplay for the made for TV movie The Tenth Kingdom. Most of the people in Fallenwood are based on real people I’ve known. A big free-hanging crystal in a cave that needs to be destroyed can be found in The Dark Crystal, but there are also crystals in the original Final Fantasy game.

I’d like to stake my claim on the black unicorn, but I know it’s been done before and by other people as well, and I think Terry Brooks even has a book titled The Black Unicorn. Dragon teeth creating soldiers is from mythology, as is Discordia from the Pan-Experiential. The Pan-Experiential itself is sort of Matrix-derived, I suppose, because if you die in your dream, you die in real life. I’ve borrowed its rules from the Matrix. So….there ya go! I think it’s easy to see how the parts themselves are derived to create unique things, just like C.S. Lewis explained.

Thanks for having me here!

It's a pleasure to have you, and that was really interesting, Leslie. I'm a great admirer of both C S Lewis and Orson Scott Card, myself, and I think, just as there is supposed to be a finite number of plots, there are also a finite number of original fantasy or S F elements. In my own writing I tend to draw a lot on ancient myths and legends, especially those of my native Wales, and combine and enlarge different aspects to try and create something different and as original as possible. I think this is actually how most writers work, in whatever genre, taking a variety of ideas and weaving them into something new and different and unique to themselves.

As a horse lover, I empathised with your black unicorn and was hoping she would not be destroyed in the final part of your book - and I loved your 'Dragons Of The Dawn' which conjured up a beautiful picture in my mind. Thank you so much for being here today and sharing some of the background to 'Fallenwood' with us.

FALLENWOOD
Excerpt One:

Tears blinded her. She couldn’t stop and even the rough winds couldn’t scatter the wild thoughts that swirled in her mind—memories of her stepfather, words that people had said at his service, images of her mother and that stupid grin she wore—all she could do was run. Ashley was deeply wounded but was powerless to heal this kind of pain. She’d looked into the face of evil. Her feet hit the gravel, and the wind whipped at her face as she tried to outrun her anguish. She closed her eyes for a split second, and the wind stilled, and she stopped. Ashley looked around her. It had suddenly become night, and she was now in an unfamiliar part of the woods.

Excerpt Two:

The dragon’s eyes glowed, for a flickering moment, with white light.

“Ash,” the dragon continued, “Welcome to Terra Illumina…or as it is more commonly known, Fallenwood.” Then a fierce roaring laugh erupted from the stone, as though the dragon thought the new name a joke. “A dark, difficult, dangerous path lies before you, Ash Kensington.”

Ash’s heart grew heavy. In truth, she knew that she was destined to some terrible, dark fate. For so long, her life was filled with sadness and doubt, and one horrible thing after another. What else can I hope for?

“But Ash, you must not lose hope. Our world needs you..."

Leslie Soule lives in Sacramento, California. Fallenwood is her first fantasy novel. She has received her B.A. in English from Sacramento State University and is currently working on her Master’s degree in English at National University.

Website: www.lesliesoule.com

Price: $4.99
Pages: 194
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
PURCHASE FALLENWOOD HERE

And to whet your appetite further, here is the trailer for 'Fallenwood'

Don't forget to leave a comment, with your email address, if you'd like to be included in the Prize Draw

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The Fall of Rain Book tour

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:30:00 +0000

The Fall of Rain

(Book Three of the Emerald Isle Trilogy)

by Renee Vincent

I'm sorry to be late posting this, many apologies to Renee and CBLA. I'm really keen to share information about Renee and this book, partly because I find Norse history and legends absolutely fascinating, and also because, as well as writing, Renee and I share a love of horses and riding.

Blurb:

Leif Dæganssen, an archeologist from Norway, is determined to trace back his Scandinavian roots as far as the Dark Ages and find proof of their existence on the Emerald Isle. After several years of living off the west coast of Ireland, he finally uncovers an ancient artifact—an intricately decorated chest with pagan carvings—buried beneath the very porch of his coastal cottage. Knowing it only confirms the presence of a glorified Norse-influenced settlement on Inis Mór, he’s determined to establish a link between himself and those who once inhabited the rugged isle.

For as long as she can remember, Lorraine O’Connor has had dreams of a Norse warrior kissing her. And even though she’s never fully understood the reason for her vivid subconscious imagination, she welcomes the meaningless and wanton pleasure of being in a Viking’s protective embrace—until the day she meets that brazen Northman on an impulsive vacation trip to Ireland.

Though blindsided by the relevance of her dreams and the strange familiarity of the man within them, Lorraine can’t help but feel a deep-seated intimacy toward Leif. And the more she gets to know him, the more she’s convinced they’ve shared a life together in a time long forgotten.

Are the clues to their ancestral past hidden within the contents of the chest or buried deep within their hearts?

Excerpt:

Leif laughed inwardly as he heard the lock engage. Lorraine was definitely an odd sort of female, with all her outlandish outbursts and peculiar reactions, but no less interesting. She had this way about her that made him pay close attention, made him want to pay close attention, else he might miss something. No woman had ever been able to do that to him.

He was not a man easily beguiled. ‘Exceedingly picky’ were Kristoff’s words on many occasions when they could’ve had a few choice opportunities with several of the women who entered Tí Joe Mac’s Pub in Kilronan. But he always found a way to stay clear of them. Either their hair was too short, their fingers too long, or they were excessively giggly over anyone who spoke Gaelic to them. No matter how beautiful they were to the eye, Leif always managed to find some flaw, an imperfection he couldn’t get passed.

The only imperfection Lorraine possessed, if he could call it that, was being unreadable. Even then, he couldn’t rightfully hold it against her. He was glad that she left him guessing, left him wondering what she’d say or do next. Every time he spoke to her, he had no idea what would come out of her mouth.

And what a pretty mouth it was.

Her lips were a delicate shade of rose and looked just as supple as the petals from which its color derived. He imagined they felt as soft and delicate in a kiss, and longed to taste them, to press his lips against her and savor every blessed moment of it while watching her eyes close in automatic response.

Oh, those eyes…

Their exquisite brilliance utterly entranced him. He couldn’t look away no matter how hard he tried. They shone as bright and vivid as the intrinsic color of an emerald, with flecks of lighter green pigments fissuring throughout.

Though he’d stared at them as if they were rare jewels tucked within the hilt of a Viking warrior’s ceremonially-bent sword, uncovered from a sacred burial site, he couldn’t help but feel he was gazing into something he’d known and seen before. Words could not describe what he felt, except that his longing was innate—as if her eyes and all its wonders had been engraved on him from years past.

Again, he laughed inwardly, reminding himself that his entire week had fallen into the epitome of the absurd. Between finding the carved chest of treasured antiquities buried beneath his porch to having a gorgeous woman bathe in his home, he could hardly believe his bizarre stroke of luck.

He quickly left the hallway and entered the kitchen, flipping the nearly burned fish in the pan. The unrelenting vision of her slick wet body clung to him like a wet blanket, drenched with his own lustful musings of what she’d feel like if he dared to touch her. At least, he was glad to know he was still a red-blooded man. As many times as Kristoff had ridiculed him for his lack of interest, tonight he didn’t have to ponder his gender. It was as plain as the nose on his face, and stuck out a bit further than he cared to admit.

Reaching down, he shifted himself, trying to award his erection some more room in his jeans, while cursing it all the same. “Now is not the time.”

“Not the time for what? Dinner?”

Leif turned at the sound of Lorraine’s voice, not expecting anyone to be behind him, and almost knocked the pan off the stove. He caught it by the handle, fortunately, steadying it before it slid off the edge.

“I take it you’re not used to a woman in your home,” she stated discernibly.

Heaving a sigh, he smiled. “How was your shower?”

“Exhilarating.”

I’m sure it was. “Good.” He rallied his best casual voice and turned back to the fish, still simmering on the stove. As he resumed cooking, he secretly regarded the way the small swell of her breasts put curves in his oversized T-shirt that her raincoat had once hidden. Though her dainty figure had been virtually swallowed up by his cotton drawstring sweats, he knew somewhere beneath all that fabric was an enticing set of feminine curves.

“Since my clothes were still damp, I hung them over the shower rod to dry,” she confessed. “I hope that’s all right.”

His grip tightened on the handle. The image of a lace-lined bra and delicate panties, hanging in his bathroom flashed in his mind and he could do little about the smile teasing the corners of his lips. Without facing her, he shrugged his shoulders, pretending he hardly cared and changed the subject. “I hope you’re hungry,” he replied, fisting a quartered lemon above the pan-seared cod and dousing it with lemon juice. “I’ve made enough for the whole village it seems.”

He thought he heard a slight chuckle, regretting that he’d probably missed the first opportunity to see her smile. But he kept to his mission of transferring the food to the two plates sitting on the adjacent counter. That little feat required more of his attention given he wasn’t much of a practiced chef.

“It smells delicious.”

Adding the final touches to the plate with a few island flowers he’d picked days ago—only because he heard from the more experienced chefs in Dublin’s pricey restaurants that presentation was everything—and a slice of soda bread on top, he turned around and caught her looking at him. Her eyes, however, did not meet his until they jumped up from a lower direction.

She cleared her voice and looked away, feigning that she had ever been looking at his arse. Leif was not a stupid man, nor did things often get passed him, but for her sake, he acted as if he were none the wiser.

“Please. Have a seat.”

She did as he suggested, wringing her hands in the extra T-shirt cloth at her waist.

She’s still nervous.

For that reason, he sat in the seat directly across from her instead of next to her where they could share the same corner of the table. Disappointed as he was, he refused to show it, keeping a keen eye on her facial expressions and body posture. At the present, she sat stiff-backed in the chair, her eyes fixed on the bounty of food he placed in front of her.

A quick grin teased her lips when she saw the white and yellow daisy garnishing the corner of her plate. She never said a word in regards to his makeshift embellishment, but the smile that hung about thereafter was enough for him.

She didn’t waste any time taking her first bite, closing her eyes as she pulled the fork from her mouth. Her shoulders melted and a slight hum reverberated from her lips.

“Does that mean it’s good?”

“Are you kidding?” she asked, her eyes nervously diverting from his the moment they met. “This is the best pan-seared fish I’ve ever had.”

He shook his head, forking his first bite. “Now I’m convinced you have a concussion.”

“I’m serious. I’ve never had fish like this before. Most times it’s fried to a crisp or bland as hell.”

“Well, I don’t know much about Kentucky, but I believe they’re known for their horses, not herbs.” He took another generous bite and waited. “That wasn’t funny?”

She mildly smiled and stuffed a piece of bread in her mouth. “You make a better cook than a comedian.”

“Ah, look at that. Give the small town Kentucky girl a hot shower and some food and she’s as good as new.”

Another smile. That one he was sure to catch.

“I don’t know about all that,” she replied uncertainly.

“Well, you’re gaining a bit of confidence. It’s good to know you’re less fearful of me.”

Her hand froze, her fork stuck in another cut of fish. “I don’t fear you, Leif. I just don’t know you.”

He set his utensil down and crossed his arms, eager to finally delve into a meaningful discussion. “What is it you’d like to know?”

I shied from his intrusive eyes, feeling the heat of his stare setting me ablaze.

He leaned in. “I know you are avoiding me because you feel ‘tis right. ‘Tis moral. ‘Tis safer. But you needn’t fear me.”

I took a deep breath. “I fear you not, Dægan. I simply know not enough about you.”

His face recoiled slightly as if my choice of words had stunned him. He released me and crossed his arms in front of him. “What would you like to know?”

“Rain?”

Leif’s voice caught her off guard and she looked around, confused, the name Dægan echoing in her ears. She blinked, staring at the man across from her, his face illustrating as much bewilderment as her own.

“You all right?” he asked, reaching for her hand.

Instantly, she pulled away, trying to gather her wits. It seemed she’d hear Leif’s words in the same minute she’d hear the exact same thing from a man by the name of Dægan.

What the hell was wrong with her? Why did she keep seeing things that weren’t really there or hear conversations from an unknown past, which were so akin to what she was talking about now?

“You blacked out for a moment,” he explained.

“I did?” The question came out of her mouth even though she knew she had gone somewhere else, somewhere that seemed like memories. It was as if she were having personal recollections of long ago, which involved her and a Norse warrior in some uncanny fashion.

“Yeah, you did. I asked you what you wanted to know about me, and suddenly, your eyes glazed over. You stared straight forward, but focused on nothing. Are you sure you’re all right? Perhaps we need to wake up the good doc.”

She fidgeted in her chair. The thought of a doctor looking her over and determining she was categorically crazy was not in her vacation plans. She tried to go back to her normal routine of eating, forking another bite of fish to prove to him, if not herself, he was overreacting. “Really, I’m fine. You shouldn’t worry. I just need to finish eating and get some rest. I’ve had a long day.”

Again, he didn’t look convinced. But what else could she say? She was as lost as he was when it came to her “blacking out” and no amount of pondering it could procure a logical explanation.

For the rest of the meal, they both lost their tongues for small talk and the only sound heard was the casual clinking of silverware on their plates. It was just as well, since neither seemed to know what to say anyway. Despite the great food and warm hospitality Leif had provided her, Lorraine wanted nothing more than to be alone. To lie down with her thoughts and hopefully be exhausted enough to sleep.

She prayed for sleep. Sleep without dreams. Somehow, as she glanced over at Leif looking at her in the most concerned way, she didn’t think she’d get her wish.

Buy Links:

Amazon print: http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Rain-Emerald-Isle-Trilogy/dp/1937389553/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322576302&sr=1-1

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Rain-Emerald-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B006HM9QZA/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323032349&sr=1-2

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fall-of-rain-renee-vincent/1107867696?ean=2940013440005&itm=1&usri=renee+vincent

Turquoise Morning Press: https://www.createspace.com/3729821

All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thefallofrain-651760-140.html

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/110678

Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/the-fall-of-rain

About The Author:

I am an author with a passionate interest in Irish and Norse history. I live in the rolling hills of Kentucky with my husband and two children on a beautiful secluded farm of horses and hay fields.

When I am not writing, I love to spend my time on the back of a horse, whether with my family or with my friends. There is nothing like feeling the sunlight on your face, the wind in your hair, and the power of the animal beneath you as you enjoy the beautiful scenery. Seeing the world from a saddle is, by far, the best view and the best therapy for a heavy heart or a troubled mind. My therapist's name, or my horse's, rather, is "Statues Suddenly Lucky", a full-blooded Tennessee Walker, and of course, he goes by the name of Lucky for short.

I am a sucker for a good cup of coffee (lots of cream and sugar...and whipped cream if I can get my hands on it), great conversation, and a lilting Irish accent. I love to read and I can't resist watching great epic historical movies.

Links:

Website: http://www.reneevincent.com

Blog: http://www.pasttheprint.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/reneevincentauthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ReneeVincent

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3005290.Renee_Vincent

Deep In The Heart Romance: http://www.deepintheheartromance.com/

Publisher:

Turquoise Morning Press http://www.turquoisemorningpress.com/

Organizations:

Romance Writers of America http://www.rwanational.org/

Kentucky Romance Writers http://www.kentuckyromancewriters.com/

Ohio Valley Romance Writers http://www.ovrwa.com/

Celtic Hearts Romance Writers: http://www.celtichearts.org/

Hearts Through History: http://www.heartsthroughhistory.com/

Reviews:

Ræliksen

*Winner of two categories by Love Romances Café

“Best Book Cover 2010”

“Best Historical 2010”

“This book and author earn my highest recommendations and I feel privileged to have read one of the best. It is a must read for any lover of historical romance or even lovers of romance in general.”
~ 5 Stars TOP PICK ~ Night Owl Reviews

“…this story is realistic, historically accurate and unforgettable; a story you will remember long after the last page is read.”

~ 5 Blue Ribbons! ~ Romance Junkies

“Every word of this story has meaning. Every moment leads to the next. Every word is simultaneously natural and brilliant, each one holding an unmistakable place in history with the telling of this tale.”

~ Author Sarah Ballance

Mac Liam

*Winner of the “5 Heart Sweetheart” Award

from The Romance Studio

“It comes alive and winds its way into your heart. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical romance and I cannot wait to read the final book of the trilogy as this story has stayed with me days after I read the last word.”

~ 5 Hearts ~ The Romance Studio

“I will admit to being skeptical that this story would capture me as much as the first had, but I was blown away by the awesomeness that is Mac Liam. Ms. Vincent surpassed all of my expectations with her impressive writing abilities, while offering more incites and revelations that will keep readers coming back for more.”

~ 5 Stars TOP PICK ~ Night Owl Reviews

“The steadfast, true love Ms. Vincent creates in Mac Liam takes one’s breath away.

A memorable, satisfying story!”
~ 4.5 Books ~ Long And Short Reviews

Silent Partner

"Ms. Vincent’s writing has the unique ability of capturing both the reader’s heart and mind… I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this story and would love to see it become a movie. Another highly recommended read by Renee Vincent!"

~ "5 Star TOP PICK" ~ Night Owl Reviews

Her writing sparkles, and given this is the author’s first attempt at contemporary mainstream romance, she creates the right impact for settings, pace and conflict. Her balance of the self-absorbed hero meeting emotionally challenged heroine is stunning because of her research into the heroine’s background. This book is a keeper."
~ "LASR BEST BOOK" ~ Long And Short Reviews

Renee's other hosts on her book tour can be found here: http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/01/blog-barrage-fall-of-rain-book-three-of.html.

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH 'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH'

Also available on Kindle

UPDATE ON SHARON

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:22:00 +0000

Poor Sharon's surgery has been delayed yet again! She is now due to have it late this morning (Thursday) Please continue to send your prayers for her, I spoke to her last night and she wanted me to thank everyone who's sent messages and prayers, and voted for her book, and to give you all her love. It's a little difficult to keep track of all the kind messages, and everyone who knows Sharon loves her, and admires her so much for her courage and determination and we're all praying and willing her to get through this and make a good recovery, so I'm going to set up a message post on Sharon's blog, like we did when she had her first major heart surgery. Her Blog address is: http://sharondonovan.blogspot.com/ and I'll try to keep it updated with her progress. Thanks again for all your prayers and warm wishes.

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH 'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH'

Also available on Kindle

My friend Sharon Donovan

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:29:00 +0000

As some of you may know, Sharon was due for a heart operation yesterday, but it was put back until today (Wednesday) and your Prayers would be so much appreciated. She's been through so much and is so brave and determined as well as talented.

I'd just like to add that her story in the WRP 'Jewel Of The Night' series 'Charade of Hearts' is nominated for best short Romance. If you'd like to vote for her story, here's the link:

http://www.critters.org/predpoll/shortstoryr.shtml

(It's the one starring her dishy virtual butler, Oliver.) Of course she can't tell people about the nomination herself at the moment, so if you think her story should win, please spread the word. It's a wonderful story, full of suspense and romance.

The main thing I ask for though, is to keep praying for her to be able to go through this operation with Faith and courage, and to come out of it with renewed strength and soon be on the road to recovery.
Thank you so much. Last time I spoke to Sharon she asked me to send her love and thanks to everyone who's been praying and sending good wishes for her recover.

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH 'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH'

Also available on Kindle

HAPPY 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 23:01:00 +0000

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and that the New Year will bring you everything you wish yourselves. I've just returned from Wales, where I soaked up the clean (and wet) Welsh air, and visited my sisters and family and thought you might enjoy the New Year's fireworks display from London, which we all enjoyed last night whilst toasting the New Year with a glass or two of Bucks Fizz.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Our Christmas tree

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate
'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH '

Also available on Kindle

De Ja Vu Blogfest

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The Deja Vu Blog Fest is today, December 16th, hosted by DL Hammons, Lydia Kang, Katie Mills and Nicole Ducleroir.
All of those taking part will re-post their favorite blog offering, or one that didn't receive the exposure they would have liked.
(I apologise for this posting late, I was not around much today and had a few problems with my internet connection and hadn't realised my post was not up.)

Check out the other participants HERE

Mine is quite an old entry - 2008 in fact, although it doesn't seem like more than a couple of years ago. 2008 was notable for three quite different events . The first, a sad one, was the loss of my beloved horse Sally (imortalised in my book 'Dancing With Fate'. The second and third events, much happier, were the release of my debut novel 'Starquest', preceded by the release of 'Dancing With Fate' by the Wild Rose Press as part of their 'Song Of The Muses' series. I've now regained my rights for that story and re-published it on 'Smashwords', but Starqest, and the sequel 'Children Of The Mist' are still available from The Wild Roise Press in print and ebook.

Ayway, here is the post I wrote in the spring of that year about my other two horses, Harry and T'pau.

Although I lost my little golden mare, Sally, at the beginning of the year, I still have my other two horses, Harry (Pentrepiod Sovereign) and 'Flying T'pau. Harrry is a lovely jet black Welsh Cob and an absolute sweetheart. T'pau is a gorgeous paint Quarterhorse mare, who likes to rule the roost and show Harry who's boss!

They are kept quite a long way from where we live, unfortunately. We don't have any land of our own but are lucky enough to be able to rent some land and buildings which we share with a friend. The land adjoins a bridleway so it's nice to be able to ride without having to go on the road.

This is the Bridleway (the narrow track winding into the distance)
It leads across some fields and then along a lovely leafy lane, over a little humpbacked bridge to some parkland.

We spent a lovely day today, just
'messing about' with the horses, moving fences and taking Bouncer for a walk along the bridleway. It was a bit too hot to ride, unfortunately, but Bouncer enjoyed himself sniffing in the hedges and tracking rabbits.

The summer rape is out now and the fields are looking lovely and green. When I'm walking or riding there are red kites flying overhead and we can hear the call of pheasants in the distance. I know some people love the city, but I'm a countrygirl and couldn't live anywhere where it wasn't green! England's countryside isn't as spectacular as my native Wales, but it's still very pretty. Much for my inspiration for my writing has come from being close to nature and her secrets, in the countryside

and to end with, and to give you 'two for the price of one' here is another post from earlier this year which I'd love to share with you again. If you care about the beautiful mustangs of the American West, please check out the 'Cloud Foundation'. There's a link in my sidebar.

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH '

Also available on Kindle

Christmas reduction

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:11:00 +0000

Christmas is coming, and to celebrate I'm offering 'Dancing With Fate' for just 99c (63p)

You can purchase it for this special price until 12th January 2012, so if you enjoy a story full of legendary magic and an enduring love story, take advantage of this bargain price.
HERE
For UK readers I am also offering autographed paperback copies at a special price of £3.50 email me at Hywelalyn@hywelalyn.co.uk for more details, and let me know what dedication you'd like.

A Tribute to Anne McCaffrey

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:49:00 +0000

ANNE McCAFFREY, the Irish/American Science Fiction writer, died on 21st November. This incredibly talented writer was my idol. I was enchanted by her 'Dragons of Pern' stories, and cried over 'The Ship Who Sang'. Many years ago. I wrote to her and was surprised and delighted to received a hand written postcard back, with the advice 'Write what you would like to read.' I've never forgotten it.

She wrote so many wonderful books - the first one I read was 'The Ship Who Sang', which I originally read as a short story and was delighted to find it had become a full length novel.

The story is about Helva, a severely disabled girl becomes the core of a starship, or Brainship, with her mind controlling all its major functions. Her brain had been saved and implanted into the titanium body of an intergalactic scout ship. The blurb says 'She had to choose a human partner, to soar with her through the daring adventures and exhilarating escapades in space.' This is actually a very moving love story but I won't say any more in case I spoil it for you if you have yet to read it.

She told Locus Magazine in 2004:

"I think the best story I ever wrote was 'The Ship Who Sang'. It still causes people to cry, including me. When Todd (her son) and I were reading it at Brighton, they had a BBC crew filming it. So there were these BBC cameramen hunkered down filming us, and comes the end of the story (which Todd always reads, because I can't go through it without weeping), I saw that these cameramen had tears rolling down their faces. That's such a thrill — a story I wrote at the beginning of my career, and it's still packin' the house."

Anne McCaffrey is probably best known for her 'dragons of Pern' stories. Pern was a distant planet settled by humans but threatened from time to time by life-destroying "Threads", which fell from a neighbouring planet. To combat these, the humans genetically modified a species of winged reptile, native to Pern, each one of which was bonded symbiotically with a human rider from the moment the 'dragon' hatched. These dragons and their riders fought the dreaded thread and a unique telepathic relationship formed between dragon and rider. Anne said she hoped to redress the balance because she felt dragons had previously had a 'bad press'. 'Dragonflight' is the first of the dragon books and chronicles the 'impressing' of Lessa with her Queen dragon and her romance with bronze dragon rider, F'lar.

Not all her readers realise that she was also very fond of horses and had her own stables at her home in Ireland. One of her few non Science Fiction novels is 'Ring Of Fear,' a thriller romance, set in the world of horse shows.

She had an amazing imagination, and created a variety of different and unique worlds.

She will be sorely missed by her many friends and fans. Rest in peace, Ann, may your journey 'between' be smooth and your stories enthral the angels.

NB Most if not all of Anne's books are available on Amazon and you can find out more about this wonderful writer at http://pernhome.com/aim/

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I did it!

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:43:00 +0000

My blogging this month has been haphazard to say the least and I apologise. My excuse is it's NaNoWriMo and I've been hard at it writing 50,000 plus words. I wasn't going to participate this year, since I already have two NaNo novels to edit - but my husband insisted I make it a 'hat trick' and cunningly placed a large bar of Toblerone on the top shelf of my bookcase well out of my reach, as an incentive. So I took an idea for a short story, dusted it off, added some more characters...

I'm glad to report that tonight I've devoured a large part of that chocolate bar and downloaded my 'winners' certificate.'

Congratulations to all the other winners, and to those who didn't quite make it to the finishing line, you're still a winner for simply attempting it. It's a huge adrenaline rush with highs and lows. I for one had serious doubts at times that I'd made the 25,000 mark, let alone the 50,000!

Normal service will now be resumed as soon as possible! :)

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH

Also available on Kindle

Meet Grace Elliot - a treat for animal and romantic fiction lovers

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0000

I had the pleasure of meeting Grace Elliot at the Festival Of romance recently and I'm delighted to be able to welcome her as the special guest on my blog today.

Fasten your seatbelts, take your favourite drink from the replicator and settle back to learn more about this fascinating lady. To start with, here's her bio:

Grace Elliot leads a double life as a veterinarian by day and author of historical romance by night. Grace works in a companion animal practice near London and is housekeeping staff to five moggies, two teenage sons and a guinea pig. She turned to writing as an antidote to the stress of modern life and believes intelligent people have the greatest need to read romance!

Grace’s published work includes the acclaimed “A Dead Man’s Debt”, new release “Eulogy’s Secret” and a non-fiction book “Cat Pies” (feline historical trivia) - due out December 2011.

HL: Tell us a little more about yourself – you’re a veterinarian, and as you know I’m an animal lover as are many of my friends here and we’d love to know a little more about your work.

GE: Being a vet is both the best and worst, job in the world. The best because you get to work with animals - the first thing I do every working day is to check the kennel room, say hello to in patients and give those that want it a fuss or cuddle - it’s like having a never ending supply of pets! Strangely, the worst side isn’t what you might think - putting animals to sleep, because there is the comfort of knowing their suffering is at an end. For me the worst aspect is aggressive dogs.

So many owners fail to understand the need their pet has for discipline and treat dogs like toys. A bit like careless drivers, that’s fine until someone gets hurt because of it - as was the case when 70 kg Mastiff, treated like a cuddly toy by his owner, grabbed me by the throat. I’m only here today because of my quick reflexes that meant his jaws didn’t lock in place. Have that happen to you once and you're guaranteed to become quite preachy about responsible ownership!

HL: I couldn't agree more, as you say, a badly trained animal can be a danger to itself and those who try to handle it. but back to writing. When did you actually start writing?

GE: I started writing in 2002 after a school reunion. To my surprise, school friends who I hadn’t seen for twenty years, were eager to know if I still wrote. They remembered the stories I wrote for English homework being read out to a hushed class and were convinced I’d go on to be a multi-published author!! Being reminded of those stories was a real “Eureka” moment. The enjoyment of writing for pleasure, of creating new worlds and escaping to them, came back to me and after a 20 year gap I started writing again.

HL: What comes first: the plot or the characters?

GE: Characters - without a doubt!

And the key to establishing a character is to decide on the right name - just like naming a baby!

My latest book “Eulogy’s Secret” was inspired by the word ‘Eulogy’, which in turn sprang into my mind when I saw a poster on the London Underground for a memorial concert. I couldn’t shake the feeling that ‘Eulogy’ would make such a sad, enigmatic name, and that for anyone to call their child Eulogy there must be a heart rending story behind it - perhaps the death of the mother in childbirth, or worse….but as for what Eulogy’s secret is and why she was named thus, you have to read the book.

HL: I certainly agree about characters, and the importance of names.Tell us about Eulogy's Secret' and what you think readers will enjoy about it

GE: My second book, “Eulogy’s Secret”, is a story of greed, prejudice and a stolen identity. Again, characters and how they react in circumstances beyond their control, is key to my work. I aim to write the sort of page-turning book that I love to read and hope readers will find this to be true.

Eulogy’s Secret is a story of contrasts about a heroine who has lost everything and yet sees goodness everywhere, and a hero, who is wealthy but cynical and jaded. It is a story about truth, trust and love finding a way - the literary equivalent of a long soak in a warm bubble bath after a hard day at work.

HL: It sounds so intriguing - if someone were to play one of your characters in a movie, which character, and what actor would it be and why?

GE: This is such a good question! I have something akin to a photographic memory and write by closing my eyes and describing the action as it plays like a movie behind my eyelids. Being able to clearly see the hero and heroine in my mind’s eye is crucial….and so on reflection, I’m not going to answer this because I’m curious to see if anyone picks up on who the inspiration behind Eulogy Foster and Jack Huntley really are. Winks.

HL: Grace, I didn't realise you were such a tease! So what have you learned about writing since you were published that surprised you the most?

GE: Two things spring to mind.

Firstly, how anal some critics can be about minor punctuation errors. Don’t get me wrong, I can be pretty anal myself, but when it comes to a rollicking good read I don’t get too stressed about the odd misplaced comma or colon.

But this leads onto my second point which is that as a writer, you’re never as good as you want to be. Writing is a constant learning curve - you crack one aspect of the craft, only to discover you could do better elsewhere - lucky then that I believe in learning through my mistakes and moving on.

HL: This is so true, as writers, we are always learning. What’s you’re writing process? Has it changed since writing your first book?

GE: This year, for the first time I enrolled on NaNoWriMo, (National Novel Writing Month), which is a challenge to write 50,000 words in one month. I can honestly say my writing process had changed dramatically because of this. Previously, I wrote for a minimum of twenty minutes a day. If the muse didn’t visit during that time my conscience was clear and I would stop. But with NaNoWriMo I’ve learnt to stop procrastinating and write no matter what. The increase in my productivity has been astounding.

When November draws to an end I fully intend to keep up the habit of writing at least 1,667 words a day - who knows, I may even stick to it.

HL: Snap on the NaNo. I've done it twice, although I'm way behind this year, but it is a great motivator. Apart from this, what is your personal definition of success?

GE: My personal definition of success is more philosophical than materialistic - I just want to be content and bring happiness to those around me. Sounds sickly I know, but it happens to be true.

HL: What is your favourite source of inspiration?

GE: Inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere. As I said earlier, “Eulogy’s Secret” sprang from a poster on the London Underground, whilst “A Dead Man’s Debt” came from a portrait of Emma Hart (she married Lord Hamilton and later became Admiral Nelson’s mistress.) Book two in the Huntley trilogy (working title, “Hope’s Betrayal”) was inspired by the coast of the Isle of Wight, whilst book three was inspired by a visit to the Hell Fire Caves in West Wycombe. Who knows where inspiration will strike next!

HL: That's so interesting, I love how a picture can spark off a train of thought that becomes a plot, and I've visited the Hell Fire Caves too, so I can see how that would be inspiring for an historical romance writer.

Well sadly, we're nearly at the end of the interview and I have one last question. (I can't resist.) If you were an animal, which one do you think you would be, and why? (I have a sneaking suspicion I know the answer to this one already.)

GE: Lyn, you are naughty - I’m chuckling now! And yes, you guessed it - I’d be a cat!

Cats have so got life sussed. What is that saying? - “A dog has a master but a cat has staff.”

That sums life up in the Elliot household. At this moment Widget is snuggled against my leg, Noni is roughing it on two faux fur rugs (folded into quarters and stacked on top of each other), Wallace and Pilchard are curled up on a cushion my bed, whilst Gromit is out hunting - but will be back later for a snack and to sleep with my eldest son.

That aside, my body metabolism is already geared to being a cat - sleeping 20 hours a day and waking for biscuits suits me perfectly!

HL: *Grin* Absolutely! Cats seem to have life perfectly sussed out! Thank you so much for a fascinating insight into your writing life, Grace, and as an animal lover it's been great to learn a little about your veterinary work. Before you go, let's find out a bit more about your latest book EULOGY'S SECRET.

Eulogy’s Secret - a story of greed prejudice and a stolen identity

In the four weeks since her guardians’ death, Eulogy Foster has lost everything. Penniless and alone she seeks the help of her estranged brother, Lord Lucien Devlin. But Devlin throws Eulogy out onto the streets and the mercy of a passing stranger, Jack Huntley.
As Eulogy seeks the truth behind her birth, she is drawn into the world of art and artists, where her morals are challenged and all is deception.

Jack Huntley: bitter, cynical and betrayed in love. He believes women are devious, scheming, untrustworthy creatures - and when he rescues a naïve Miss from being raped, his life is about to change forever. As his attraction to Eulogy grows, caught in a deadlock with both denying their true feelings, events take a sinister turn as someone seeks to silence Eulogy….forever

BUY LINKS

Smashwords.

Amazon US

Amazon UK.

If you would like to know more about Grace please visit her blog:

http://graceelliot-author.blogspot.com

or website:

www.wix.com/graceelliot/grace-elliot

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH'

Also available on Kindle

Author Roast and Toast today

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:34:00 +0000

'We're barbequing -er - roasting Brinda Berry over at the Author Roast and Toast today.. Come and join us in celebrating her Y A book 'The Waiting Booth' an leave a comment for your chance to win an E-copy.

http://authorroastandtoast.blogspot.com/

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Also available on Kindle

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:24:00 +0000

Had to share this lovely, review!

"Sometimes little gems come along, and this little novella is one of those gems one feels proud to own!

When Greek myth blends with Welsh legend more than mere magic causes a heart to flutter, and the title "Dancing with Fate" is a teaser in itself..."

Thank you so much Fracine!
You can read the rest of the review at Francine Howarth's Blog here:

Francine Howarth - Romancing the Blog

or at her lovely historical romance blog

HERE

Available at Smashwords

Kindle UK

and in Paperback at Amazon

(UK readers can purchase signed paperback editions

by dropping me an email at Lyn@hywelalyn.co.uk Lyn@hywelalyn.co.uk)

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH 'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH'

Also available on Kindle

Denise Tomkin's Book Tour for 'Legacy' - 'The Allure of the Bad Boy

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0000

A warm welcome to Denise Tomkins who is stopping by today at what is nearly her last spot on her blog tour. First of all, Denise, I really enjoyed your book, 'Legacy', especially your yummy dragon-shifter hero Bahlin!

So before we talk more about Legacy, let's hear your views on the 'bad boy' hero we love to - er - well, love!

Every romance seems to have one. Every urban fantasy seems to center around one. Every Regency romance creates one.

The Bad Boy

The one man who seems untamable. The one man every woman wants but who has successfully defied all efforts to bring him to home and hearth.

There are different facets of the Bad Boy—some mildly wicked but still opposed to commitment, and others wholly developed and full of hellfire, determined to never settle down.

What is it about the bad boy that seems to draw us in, that makes writers want to play with him on the page and encourages readers to develop a character crush? I’m not a psychologist but, as both an author and a reader, I have a few suppositions.

(Danger alert: writer philosophizing!)

First, there is a deeply drawn need for us to tame our man. To take that which is wild and uncontrollable and overwhelm him so with love that he cannot help but fall victim to our charms.

Second, and this is focused at authors, he’s a great deal of fun to play around with. He’s the character who refuses to conform to our standards of etiquette and civility. The Bad Boy is the character who pushes us to ratchet up the tension and to find ways to soften his heart toward the central focus of the book without compromising who he is. He challenges us.

Third, the man who challenges us (both as readers and writers), who forces us to think outside the box in handling him, ignites in us a sense of conquest. We look at the man, fictional or real, who embodies the traits we covet—those of the passionate, slightly angry lone wolf—and we want to heal him. We want to take all the baggage he comes with and sort through it, ultimately proving the final point, which is—

Fourth, we want to believe love conquers all…even him. We need to believe that, no matter what happens, his loyalty is undivided. And even beyond that, we cling to the idea that love is the only way he’ll find redemption in the harsh light of life, and it gives us hope.

The Bad Boy is the ultimate prize in many a story. He is taken down by a heroine, dismantled brick by brick. He is redeemed and proven worthy of our heroine’s love and affection by, in turn, offering his own version of the same. By this I mean he’s often retained many of the same characteristics that set him apart as a Bad Boy but he’s softened toward the one woman who was strong enough, determined enough, and wily enough to get past his defenses.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to write. I have a series of Bad Boys waiting their turn on the page.

Thank you so much, Denise, I think I'll just like down in a darkened room for a bit and muse about bad boys and how to tame them!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Denise Tompkins lives in the heart of the South where the neighbors still know your name, all food forms are considered fry-able and bugs die only to be reincarnated in aggressive, blood-craving triplicate. Thrilled to finally live somewhere that can boast 3 ½ seasons (winter's only noticeable because the trees are naked), her favorite season is definitely fall. It's the time of year when the gardens are just about to pass into winter's brief silence, and the leaves are out to prove that nature is the most brilliant artist of all.

A life-long voracious reader, Denise has three favorite authors. Why three? Because favorite authors are like chips: a person can't have just one. Her little house was so overrun with books last year that her darling husband bought her an e-reader out of self-preservation. He was (legitimately) afraid she might begin throwing out pots and pans to make room for more books, and he didn't want to starve.

Along with reading, Denise loves travel, is obsessed with the British Isles, practices photography, enjoys cooking and looks forward to Christmas as an excuse to bake.

Her debut novel, Legacy, is the first book in The Niteclif Evolutions and will be available in both e-book and print from Samhain Publishing.

You can find out more about Denise by following her on

Author Website
Author Blog
Twitter
Goodreads
Facebook Page

Her debut novel, Legacy, is the first book in The Niteclif Evolutions and is available in both e-book and print from Samhain Publishing.

LEGACY The Niteclif Evolutions

When Fate makes you her bitch, accept it and adapt. Or die.

Looking back on the wish she made on Midsummer’s Eve, Maddy Niteclif should have been more specific. She only wanted to escape the shadowy nightmares that plagued her nights, not to be thrust into a completely altered reality.

If a strangely familiar, sexy dragon-shifter named Bahlin, who causes a never-to-be-mentioned-again fainting spell, isn’t enough to make her question her sanity, his insistence she’s the Niteclif ought to do the job. Prophesied super-sleuth of the supernatural world—a world that desperately needs her help—isn’t a job she’s remotely qualified for no matter what her family tree says.

Catapulted into a very different London ruled by dark mythology, mystery and murder, Maddy makes a few startling discoveries. Paranormal creatures exist. Getting shot really sucks. And her body responds remarkably well to dragon magic—in more ways than simple wound healing.

But in this kill-or-be-killed world, reality bites. And Maddy must choose to go back to what she knows…or stay and fight for the man she knows she can’t live without.

Warning: This book contains a shape-shifting dragon with a Scottish accent, modern and archaic weapons, global inter-species politics that make democracy seem mild, some very steamy sex underground, a severed head, murder, and…oh yeah…a woman caught in the middle of it all.

Legacy: The Niteclif Evolutions, Book 1
Author: Denise Tompkins
Genre: Fiction – Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Published by: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (October 18, 2011)
Age Recommendation: 18+ For Mature Content & Explicit Sexuality
Format: eBook
ASIN: B005IZUXZE

Buy the eBOOK at:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Barnes & Noble

Samhain Publishing, Ltd

All Romance

My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book even though I found the heroine Maddie a little brash and irritating at times, but I did warm to her and could understand why she was the way she was, and sympathise with her in her grief for the loss of her parents.. There are a wide variety and diversity of characters and shifters introduced in fairly quick succession and it's interesting trying to work out who are the 'bad' guys and gals, and who are actually on Maddie's side, and there is a revelation concerning a well known fictional character which I found very original. The hero, Bahlin, is everything a hero should be, even his dragon form is compelling and attractive! I loved the way he truly did love Maddie, and how he cares for her and puts up with her occasional tantrums and moments of doubt.

It was slightly tricky keeping up with all the different supernatural beings and I had to be careful not to read too quickly and miss something - this is a real page turner! There is plenty of action, suspense and sizzling romance, as well as some surprises. I have to admit the climax really had me shocked and I really didn't want the novel to end and was surprised when it did! I had to do a double take to make sure I hadn't missed somehow skipped a couple of pages on my e-reader! What a way to keep one in suspense and make one eager to read the next book - can't wait!

Denise's Blog Tour organised by:

http://nurtureyourbooks.com/vbtblog/?p=2242

This is the penultimate stop in her tour, but why not check out her previous stops as well as tomorrow's, November 15th – Lisa Ma @ A Casual Reader’s Blog

October 18th – Jaidis S. @ Juniper Grove

October 19th – Florence P. @ Romance Me

October 19th – Kristen T. @ Seeing Night Book Reviews

October 20th – Tammy G. @ News and Reviews from the Heart of the Dragons Den

October 21st – Paula P. @ The Phantom Paragrapher

October 24th – Laurie J. @ Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews

October 25th – Sheila H. @ The Dark Circle

October 26th – S.J.W. @ Fantasy Cookie

October 26th – Jasmyn No. @ Jasmyn’s Reviews

October 27th – Lea. R. @ Journey Reader

October 28th – Aparajita B. @ Le’ Grande Codex

October 31st – Beverly G. @ Everyone Loves A SiNner

November 1st – Aubrie Di. @ Flutey Words

November 2nd – Lindsay H @ Everyday Is An Adventure

November 3rd – Krystal L. @ Live To Read

November 4th – Shandy S. @ Mama Knows Books

November 7th – Wendy Mi. @ Rage, Sex and Teddy Bears

November 9th – Lena Sl. @ Lena Sledge’s Blog…Books, Reviews and Interviews

November 10th – Krishna A. @ Journey with Books

November 11th – Farrah K. @ The Book Faery Reviews

Also available on Kindle

Gerald G Griffin continues his Blog Tour - 'Of Good and Evil'

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:00:00 +0000

I am pleased to welcome Gerald G Griffin to my blog today, as part of his Blog Tour with NURTURE:

"People say you should write about what you know. Do you have any personal experiences that helped you while writing this book?"

I did with my first novel, The Corruptors, because a majority of the events in that book took place at and around Michigan State University during the time I was there working on my PH.D., and my personal experiences then helped me in writing the book, as did my personal experiences, to some extent, in writing my subsequent novels, The Death Disciple and The Last Coming.

I feel writing about what you know is essential to your first book and perhaps to your second and even third, but eventually a writer has to go beyond "what he knows" firsthand from personal experience (especially with novels) if he's to continue his writing. That is the case with Of Good And Evil.

For the most part then, except for what sort of creeps in subconsciously, personal experiences did not help me that much while writing OfGood And Evil. That is not to say that there were no personal experience drawn on in writing the novel. In fact, a spark initiating the novel came from a memory of personal (professional, really) experience. While I was still in private psychological practice in Atlanta, Georgia, I treated a few veterans in therapy who were still suffering from unresolved psyche/emotional trauma stemming from combat trauma. Years later, when I first began writing Of Good And Evil, my professional experiences with these veterans helped to formulate the book's hero, Ron Sheffield, leading to aspects of the novel's plot.

Aside from that, it was the experiences of others --- which I'm not at liberty to divulge, and my own research, knowledge and the imagination of my creative process that proved to be helpful in writing the book. This time it was not so much "what I knew" from personal experiences but "what I knew of" from other sources.

Author Bio: Gerald G. Griffin was born in Flint, Michigan. He received his MA and Ph.D. in psychology from Michigan State University. Set up private practice in Atlanta, Georgia as a Consulting Psychologist, a practice of 18 years doing psychotherapy, counseling, diagnostics and executive consultation. Moved to Gainesville, Georgia to enter writing full-time, at first doing ghost-writing and screenplays before turning back to novels. At present, putting the final touches to A Time of Reckoning, the sequel to Of Good or Evil.

Author’s Website: http://www.authorgeraldgriffin.com

Author’s Blog: http://www.geraldggriffin.blogspot.com

Author’s Twitter Account: http://www.twitter.com/#!/GeraldGGriffin

Synopsis: A timely, quick-paced, action-packed story with vivid, vibrant characters and international locales, and villains both fictional and ripped from international headlines.

Ron Sheffield, a gifted but tormented Green Beret, plagued by suicidal guilt because of his “special” abilities, is discharged from the army for going “crazy.” Immediately, he is brutally beaten and shot by the Mafia, and is hospitalized near death. His life is dramatically saved by Amber Ash, who also possesses “special” abilities; and from there the two are propelled against mobsters, terrorists, and a government cell out to kill them over Iraqi documents Ron possesses from his army service. Ron becomes a Mafia hit man, targeting fallen mobsters. This brings Ron and Amber into contact with the powerful and humane gifted secret society, Eros; this contact eventually actualizing Ron’s mental gifts to a point beyond his imagination. Ron is confronted with the imminent nuclear obliteration of a major American city by a suicidal terrorist cell that only he can stop. But will he be able to do it in time? Of Good and Evil is a spiritual fight against tyranny.

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Also available on Kindle

Sky Purington's new release: The Victorian Lure

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:40:00 +0000

One of the first friends I made when I became published in the US, was the lovely Sky Purington. We've appeared on each other's blogs quite a lot and read each other's books. We were also 'muse sisters' for the Wild Rose Press's Greek Muse Anthology 'Song Of The Muses'. (See my last post) Today Sky has published her wonderful creepy vamp story, The Victorian Lure, which is a wonderful, romantic twist on the current vogue for vampire stories, with I think, a real traditional 'Gothic' feel although the book is bang up todate with modern technology - anyway, why not read the blurb and an excerpt for yourself? (Oh and did I say the book stars a very handsome Scot?)

Is it true love or is the magnetic pull just another part of the Victorian's lure?

Dakota Allerton depends on no one but herself, but then she's never needed a ghost hunter. When her dream home becomes a house of horrors that is holding her hostage, her only hope is a Scotsman who investigates the paranormal.

The supernatural is nothing Leathan Stewart can't handle. However, trapped in Dakota's cursed Victorian home, he finds himself falling back in time. Only those who persevere can survive the dark domination.

Fear has a way of drawing two people together but so does the need to be loved. Dakota and Leathan must fight against unknown enemies, discover the secrets of Calum's Curse and defeat a vampire bent on finishing the legacy it began.

Read an excerpt...

You can purchase this, and Sky's other books at:

Amazon Kindle
Smashwords

Barnes & Noble Nook

THE VICTORIAN LURE ia released from the Wild Rose Press, go on - treat yourself today!

Wishing you many, many sales, Sky dear friend.

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH'

Also available on Kindle

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:22:00 +0000

Today and over the weekend , I'm over at my good friend Sky Purington's blog, together with the hero and heroine of 'Dancing With Fate', Terpsichore and Myrddin. http://skypuringtonwrites.blogspot.com/ If you get a moment please pop over and say 'hello'. I'm giving a download of my book to two randomly drawn commentors. Thanks,

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH'

Also available on Kindle

National Novel Writing Month

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:41:00 +0000

In a fit of madness I signed up for a third year for this! (I haven't finished editing the first two yet!) Wish me luck and forgive me if my Blog is a bit sparse over November, I'll be going to ground with a hot keyboard, my faithful mutt and, hopefully, copious amounts of chocolate!

I do have a review and an interview or two lined up though, and I'll post an account of The Festival Of Romance soon.

For those who don't know about NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH, as it's name implies, it's a month of novel writing frenzy when writers who are gluttons for pubishment push themselves to the limit by attempting to write a novel of at least 50,000. Whether I'll make it this year is doubtful, the plot I have in mind is probably more of a novella length - but we'll see!

You can find more details of NaNo HERE - and no, it's not too late to start!

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH 'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH'

Also available on Kindle

Happy Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:08:00 +0000

I was going to post an account of the Festival Of Romance today - but seeing as it's Halloween (Or All Hallow's Eve) I thought I'd just post some cute graphics instead. I don't write about vampires or wherewolves, although I have written the occasional ghost story, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the occasional spooky thrill. I love having the local youngsters come around to 'trick or treat' but they may get more than they bargained for since I dress up, myself, and have a couple of scary witch figures with glowing eyes, given me by a friend a few years ago. This year when I open the door, I'll be wearing a beautiful golden Cleopatra masquerade mask, given to me by my dear friend Sharon Donovan. (And I'm well stocked up with cakes and chocolate|!)

Have a very Happy and Safe Halloween, enjoy your parties and your trick or treating, but please make sure not to frighten or upset anyone elderly or vulnerable, and make sure your furbabies don't get scared either - and if you'd like a creepy but romantic read, I wrote a 'freeread' entitled 'A Bargain With Death', a while ago and it's up at the Wild Rose Press - you have to go through the checkout process, but you won't have to pay for it, I promise.
Get it here: A BARGAIN WITH DEATH

Let me know how you enjoy it - and what is your favourite ghost story of all time?

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate

Also available on Kindle

Aubrie Dionne

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:00:00 +0000

It's my great pleasure to welcome Aubrie Dionne back to my Blog today, as part of her Virtual e-book Tour with CBIS Promotions to promote her latest SF romance 'Paradise 21'. First of all let's find out a little more about this talented lady:

Aubrie is an author and flutist in New England. Her stories have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, A Fly in Amber, and several print anthologies including Skulls and Crossbones by Minddancer Press, Rise of the Necromancers, by Pill Hill Press, Nightbird Singing in the Dead of Night by Nightbird Publishing, Dragontales and Mertales by Wyvern Publications, A Yuletide Wish by Nightwolf Publications, and Aurora Rising by Aurora Wolf Publications. Her epic fantasy is published with Wyvern Publications, and several of her ebooks are published with Lyrical Press and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. When she’s not writing, she plays in orchestras and teaches flute at Plymouth State University and a community music school. http://www.authoraubrie.com http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com

I've reviewed Paradise 21 in an earlier post, so without further ado let's read the summary and an excerpt from her fantastic story.

Book Blurb:

Aries has lived her entire life aboard mankind’s last hope, the New Dawn, a spaceship traveling toward a planet where humanity can begin anew—a planet that won’t be reached in Aries’ lifetime. As one of the last genetically desirable women in the universe, she must marry her designated genetic match and produce the next generation for this centuries-long voyage.

But Aries has other plans.

When her desperate escape from the New Dawn strands her on a desert planet, Aries discovers the rumors about pirates—humans who escaped Earth before its demise—are true. Handsome, genetically imperfect Striker possesses the freedom Aries envies, and the two connect on a level she never thought possible. But pursued by her match from above and hunted by the planet’s native inhabitants, Aries quickly learns her freedom will come at a hefty price.

The life of the man she loves.

Excerpt:

“Might as well stay here and make camp for the night.”

His casual tone stung her composure. How could he talk of such mundane things when they’d almost been captured, when she’d touched him so tenderly?

“We’ll let them get farther away,” Striker explained, reasonable as always. “We’re going in their direction tomorrow.”

The sting of rejection grew, burning a hole in her heart. “Why?”

“Why what?”

Her lips trembled. “Why not kiss me like you did before?”

“I can’t.” He shook his head, and the air cooled between them; so much so, Aries wondered if the desert had turned into deep space.

He’d teased her with such affection before, it was cruel to take it away. “I don’t understand,” she said, wishing she didn’t care, wishing she could stop all the emotions he’d started in her heart.

Aries caught a glimpse of pain etched in the wrinkles around his eyes. Striker turned away and started pulling supplies out of his backpack. “I can’t do this.”

“Do what?”

Striker shook his head and Aries prompted, “Can’t kiss me, can’t trust me? What?”

“I can’t allow myself to get tangled up with someone. Not again.”

The thoughts of Striker with another woman confused her. On the New Dawn, everyone had one lifemate and that was it. “You mean you loved someone before?”

Striker’s hand tightened on the backpack. “I trusted someone a long time ago, allowed myself to love, if you will. She hurt me so much I lost my entire life and ended up here. I can’t experience that kind of pain again.”

Aries clasped her hand over her heart. “I’m so sorry.”

He waved her apology off as if it meant nothing. “It’s a tough world, Aries. And it’s dangerous to love. If I were you, I’d keep my heart well-guarded, because you never know when it will affect your decisions, when it will make you weak.”

Aries couldn’t take his advice. Watching him talk about his past made her realize she’d already given up her heart.

He had it.

Title: Paradise 21
Author: Aubrie Dionne
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: August 2011
ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-02-2
Mobi ISBN: Coming soon!
Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-03-9

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/paradise-21/

That's a great video Aubrie, and a taster for a thrilling and very enjoyable book. Congratulations and wishing you even more success in the future.

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH 'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH'

Also available on Kindle

A Christmas Journey Home - Review

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:00:00 +0000

http://www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.com/

I'm back from 'The Festival of Romance' and will post a summary and some pictures later this week. Today I'm pleased to be able to review this lovely book on my blog today. It may be a little early for Christmas but may I suggest this book as 'Inspiration'. It's a truly enjoyable story for any time of year and one that will stay in your mind long after you've read it.

During Isabella Alcantara's seventh month of pregnancy, her parents and siblings are murdered in gang and drug related violence, simply because their home was targeted by mistake. Isabella knows she was spared only because she now lives in a different location, but she knows too that the same thing could easily happen to her and her husband, Francisco. When her grandfather offers to hire her a "coyote" to bring then across the border to America, she agrees. But Francisco and Isabella are abandoned by the coyote and left to die. Francisco then valiantly sacrifices himself to get Isabella to safety. Homeless, nearly penniless, pregnant, and alone, Isabella determines to find a way to honor her promise to her beloved husband.

Living on one of the smaller spreads along the Arizona border, Miriam Nelson becomes furious with God and turns from her faith when her border patrol agent husband, David, is killed in a skirmish with drug smugglers. Though her mother and young son do their best to woo her back from the anger and bitterness that have overtaken her, they make little headway.

Two widows-one driven by fear and a promise, the other by bitterness and revenge-must make their journeys along different pathways, but with the same destination: a barn full of animals that stands waiting for them on Christmas Eve. Forced to face their personal demons, Isabella and Miriam soon discover a common yearning that will bind them together in a most miraculous way.

MY REVIEW

A Christmas Journey Home by Kathi Macias is a deeply moving and thought provoking story of two women in very different circumstances but who have one thing in common - they each mourn the loss of their beloved husband – and they both have problems with their lack of Faith in God.

Isabella Alcantara is left all alone in a strange country, pregnant and an illegal immigrant, after her husband is killed.

Having given his life savings to a ‘coyote’ who was supposed to lead her and her husband safely across the border, but who abandoned them instead, her grandfather, Don Alfredo prays daily to God, for their safety. For him, God is a very real presence and comfort.

Isabella wishes she could have the same strong Faith Don Alfredo has, and which her husband also shared, but she finds it hard to trust in a merciful God when her entire family, and now her beloved husband, have been killed. Close to giving birth, with nowhere to go and no-one to help her, she finally makes her way to a barn, where she finds a corner to hide, near the horses, animals which she loves and has an affinity with.

Miriam Nelson has a young son to raise, alone, supported only by her mother whose failing health is cause for concern. She struggles to run their small farm and tend to the animals, including the horses which she is not entirely comfortable with, and feels are an unnessary expense, but which her son, Davey, loves as much as his father did. At times she feels the work is too much and wonders if she should to sell up and move to town Her anger at God, who, in her mind, allowed her husband to be taken from her, causes her to be impatient with her son, although she loves him deeply, and Davey himself is struggling to come to terms with the death of his father.

Kathi Macias takes us through a whole variety of emotions and feelings, love, hate, hope, despair, betrayal, denial, revenge - and finally trust and compassion. Both women learn to re-evaluate their fears and prejudices.

This moving story addresses difficult issues, including that of illegal immigration, and teaches us not to be judgemental – things are not always as 'black and white' as they may seem. The climax of the story reminds us of the true meaning of the Christmas Miracle – that it’s not about the tinsel and twinkling lights, turkeys and expensive presents, but the gift God gave us, his only son, a tiny baby lying in a manger.

This is a beautiful story, and I am very glad I had the opportunity to read it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from 'Pump UpYour Book' but not in an effort to control the outcome of said review. No compensation has been paid or accepted and the review is my own, honest and personal opinion.

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored more than 30 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association). Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al.

www.kathimacias.com

Starquest *~* 'Children Of The Mist'(The sequel to Starquest) AVAILABLE HERE
(Also 'freeread' 'A Bargain with Death)
Dancing With Fate - available HERE

Flower Child - by Sheila Deeth

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:35:00 +0000

I'm so thrilled to be able to welcome a special guest to my blog today - Sheila Deeth, who is here on this leg of her blog tour, to tell us the poignant story of how she came to write 'Flower Child', her latest book.

Over to you, Sheila

Flower Child started out with a memory sparked by words of a song. The song was John Denver’s Rhymes and Reasons, and the words were “the children and the flowers…” The memory was of a time when I was very small. Having heard, from my mother, that babies come from seeds, I somehow skipped listening to the mummy’s tummy bit and imagined those seeds in celestial fields with infants growing in flower-buds on heavenly vines.

But Flower Child continued with some darker memories of mine. When I first became pregnant I was so full of dreams—Megan’s not the only one who dreamed her daughter’s wedding before the baby was born. Although I didn’t carry my pregnancy even as long as Megan did, losing the unformed, unborn dream felt as real at the time as losing everything. People would comfort me with reminders there was probably something wrong with “it,” but I just imagined there was something wrong with me—failed mother, couldn’t even conceive properly.

By the time my original due date came round I was already pregnant with my son. I’m mother now to three wonderful young men, all healthy, all grown, and I’ve no idea why I’m so convinced that first child was going to be a girl. If anything were ever to happen to my guys, I’d mourn them far more deeply than I ever mourned that first pregnancy. But I still wonder, just once in a while, who would that baby have been?

Writing Flower Child gave me a chance to explore that wondering. Do unborn babies have souls? Do they have feelings? Do they continue to exist after death? And, most importantly to me, can unborn babies ever forgive the mothers who failed the task of giving them birth?

I’m not always sure where the characters I write about come from. They’re always quite insistent, when they talk in my head, that they’re not me. But perhaps they build themselves at the start from fractured parts of me… before they grow; before their stories grow. Megan might have come from the grief I left behind in the joy of my son’s safe birth, Angela from the dreams I invested in my child. Now their story’s done they have lives of their own that are nothing to do with me, except I’m the author who dripped their words to the page. I’m glad I’ve met them. I hope my readers might be too.

And the memories? I can touch them now without it hurting so much, so I guess the story helped.

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, or on the internet at least, I stumbled on a lovely blog run by a lovely author, Hywela Lyn. Being fairly new to blogging and all that, I left a rather nervous comment behind and was totally amazed to find it won me a copy of one of Aubrie Dionne’s ebooks. I read the book, loved the style, loved the length, loved the subject and looked up the publisher, Gypsy Shadow Publishing. So now Gypsy Shadow have published my third ebook, Flower Child, and I’m on my first ever blog tour. I’m very very grateful to Hywela Lyn, not just for inviting me to post on her blog, but also for that unexpected prize that set me on this path. Thank you Lyn!

And thank you for sharing that bittersweet memory with us, Sheila, and it's an honour to have you as my guest, and to be part of your tour, it's the least I can do to thank you for your support of myself and other authors. I'm a great admirer of Aubrie Dionne too, isn't it wonderful how we authors meet each other and make new friends through our love of the written word.

Wishing you many sales and great success with 'Flower Child' and I look forward to reading it myself when I can whittle down my TBR pile somewhat!

About Flower Child: When Megan miscarries her first pregnancy it feels like the end of everything; instead it’s the start of a curious relationship between the grieving mother and an unborn child who hovers somewhere between ghost and angel. Angela, Megan’s “little angel,” has character and dreams all her own, friends who may or may not be real angels, and a little brother who brings hope to her mother’s world. But Angela’s dream-world has a secret and one day Angela might learn how to be real.

Where to find Flower Child: http://gypsyshadow.com/SheilaDeeth.html#Flower

On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Flower-Child-ebook/dp/B005PGMT4O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317398482&sr=8-1

on Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/91467

About the author:

Sheila Deeth grew up in the UK and has a Bachelors and Masters in mathematics from Cambridge University, England. Now living in the States with her husband and sons, she enjoys reading, writing, drawing, telling stories, running a local writers' group, and meeting her neighbors’ dogs on the green.

Sheila describes herself as a Mongrel Christian Mathematician. Her short stories, book reviews and articles can be found in VoiceCatcher 4, Murder on the Wind, Poetic Monthly, Nights and Weekends, the Shine Journal and Joyful Online. Besides her Gypsy Shadow ebooks, Sheila has several self-published works available from Amazon and Lulu, and a full-length novel under contract to come out next year.

Find her on her website: http://www.sheiladeeth.com

or find her books at: http://sheiladeeth.weebly.com

Anne Albert - Frank, Incense And Muriel

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +0000

I'm really pleased to welcome Anne Albert to my blog today. Make yourself at home, and do help yourself to something refreshing while I ask you a few questions.

So tell us, when did you start writing?

AA: I’ve been writing for ever. It began as snail mail letters to friends and family members. I’d write pages to my husband’s grandmother and she always said I should be a writer. I never took her seriously because in my mind, ordinary people did not write books! Then, many years later, it occurred to me that perhaps I could. I had no idea how to write a full length novel, but I was determined my story would have a dead body, puzzle to solve and fun, memorable characters!

HL: What have you learned about writing since you were published that surprised you the most?

AA: When I first began writing, I took the advice of several published authors who advised beginners to keep track of how long it took them to write a book. I did this and found it takes 6-8 intensive weeks to write the first draft. Now that I’m published, I’ve come to realize it’s outdated and no longer applies. The world of publishing has changed dramatically. Now, most authors must promote themselves and their books online via websites, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc. This chews up huge hunks of time and greatly reduces the number of hours devoted solely to writing. Had I known this earlier, I would not be so far behind on deadline!

HL: What’s you’re writing process? Has it changed since writing your first book?

AA: I’m a pantser, but I’m certainly not a free-wheeling, free-spirited pantser! The first scene has to feel just ‘right’ before I can move on to writing the rest of the story. I write 10 to 20 versions of the first scene. Most are variations on a theme, and the process is often two steps forward and one back, but I’ve learned to accept it. This is how I write (and how I’ve written five books – three unpublished and two released by Vanilla Heart Publishing). Has it changed? My editor requested a synopsis for book number three last spring so she could design the cover. I gladly provided it, and then began to write the story. I’m ashamed to say I am fighting this book tooth and nail. It feels all wrong! I hate feeling confined and vow never to repeat this mistake again. My wonderful editor will just have to wait…hmmm, perhaps I’m more of a free spirit that I thought!

HL: If you were an animal, which one do you think you would be, and why?

Definitely, a cat. I love their independent spirit. They tolerate humans, but can never be truly tamed or controlled. They’re playful, self-indulgent, and smart. They lounge wherever they please, groom themselves regularly and religiously and make me smile. I particularly enjoy this Youtube video dedicated to cats. It’s not an endorsement, it’s just a fun watch!

HL: Aw, how cute! Tell us about your latest release.

AA: FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL is set the week before Christmas when the stress of the holidays is enough to frazzle anyone’s nerves. Tensions increase when a friend begs Muriel to team up with a sexy private investigator to find a missing woman. Forced to deal with an embezzler, kidnapper, and femme fatale is bad enough, but add Muriel’s zany yet loveable family to the mix and their desire to win the coveted D-DAY (Death Defying Act of the Year) Award, and the situation can only get worse. This cozy, comedic mystery is recipient of the prestigious 2011 Holt Medallion Award of Merit.

What are readers saying? “Anne K. Albert's…wit shines through this lightly suspenseful novel and her characters ring sweet and true. Can't wait to read more about Muriel, Frank and the rest of the gang.” ~ Amazon

“Laugh out loud funny in places, and that's my favorite kind of book. I was totally entertained by Frank, Incense and Muriel.” ~ author Marja McGraw

HL: Well, sadly we're nearly at the end of our interview. Before we read an excerpt from Frank, Incense and Muriel, tell us where can readers reach you online?

AA: They can visit my website http://www.AnneKAlbert.com/ and blogs http://anne-k-albert.blogspot.com/ and http://muriel-reeves-mysteries.blogspot.com. I’m also on Facebook www.facebook.com/annekalbert and Twitter www.twitter.com/AnneKAlbert.
USA buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Frank-Incense-and-Muriel-ebook/dp/B004CLYDRO/
UK buy link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Frank-Incense-and-Muriel-ebook/dp/B004CLYDRO

Thanks for featuring me!

Frank, Incense and Muriel
EXCERPT:

“Remember Rachel Queen?” Frankie asked.

I felt my eyes bug out of my head. That’s what this was all about?

“The girl who asked you to the Sadie Hawkins Dance?” I asked. “The one who spent more time with you behind the bleachers than on the dance floor?”

“Whoo-hoo! I always knew you were jealous of her.”

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. The only thing worse than a twenty-eight-year-old woman who still had the audacity to blush, is a know-it-all macho jerk who just happened to be right.

I had been jealous of Rachel. Probably still was if I stopped to think about it. The blond, curvaceous cheerleader may have struggled to get a passing grade in every subject but lunch, but she never failed to get the attention of the male species. Or more importantly, one in particular. Imbedded inside my brain for all eternity was an image of her and Frankie locked lip-to-lip and hip-to-hip at the only school dance I ever attended.

Brushing away the memory to the recesses of my mind, I plucked an imaginary piece of lint from the sleeve of my sweater.

Frankie rubbed his palms together. “Invite me inside, Muriel. Listen to what I have to say. If you decide you don’t want to help in the investigation, I’ll leave. I’ll even promise never to darken your doorstep again.”

Although the prospect of his never darkening my doorstep again greatly appealed to me, my brain focused on the one word I suspect he knew all along I would be unable to dismiss.

“Investigation?” I heard myself ask. “What investigation?”

“I’m a private investigator. I’ve been hired to find Rachel.”

“And you have proof of this? The part about you being a PI, I mean?”

Pulling a small leather case from his inside breast pocket, he flipped it open and held it up for me to read. In bold, black print was the name Salerno Investigations beside his photograph. Below a local address, phone, fax, email, and website information. As far as I could tell, it looked legit.

Returning the identification to his pocket, he arched a brow. “Well? Are you going to invite me in, or what?”

I asked myself that very same question, and then slowly stepped back to open the door. I had a sinking feeling I was making the biggest mistake of my life. I wanted to blame it on my morbid curiosity about Rachel and what had become of her, but I knew I’d be kidding myself. My interest lay solely in Frankie.
And he knew it.

Bio: Anne K. Albert’s award winning stories chill the spine, warm the heart and soothe the soul…all with a delightful touch of humor. A member of Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and married to her high school sweetheart for more than a quarter of a century, it's a given she'd write mystery and romantic suspense. When not writing she loves to travel, visit friends and family, and of course, read using ‘Threegio’ her cherished and much beloved Kindle 3G!

What an intriguing excerpt, this sounds like such a great read! Thanks again for a fascinating interview, Anne, and wishing you much success in the future.

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH 'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH'

Also available on Kindle

A love-hate relationship?

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:58:00 +0000

Apologies for having no 'Monday's Word for the last few weeks - I've been really busy with 'real life' plus the Festival of Romance is coming up fast and I'm on a Panel and giving a short 'workshop' and possibly another event, so between that and keeping up with other things as well as trying to get cracking with my WIP. I thought I'd post one of my favourite pictures of my two horses Harri and T'pau.

Harri a a pure bred Welsh Cob and a real 'sweet guy'. T'pau is a Welsh/Quarter Horse cross and a bit of a 'Prima Donna.' she's definitely an 'Alpha' mare and bosses Harri around something terrible. When he's had enough, he just walks off and ignores her ad she looks at me as if to say 'Why doesn't he love me?' Sad really, but despite everything they're great friends.

I can't quite make up my mind if in this picture, Harri' s about to like her nose affectionately or is just poking his tongue out at her!

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH 'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH'

Also available on Kindle

Lisa Beth Darling, Ares the god of war, and Lisa's new series

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:57:00 +0000

It's my great pleasure to welcome Lisa Beth Darling to my blog today. Lisa writes a little hotter than I do but don't worry, the excerpts below are suitable for anyone to read and the books themselves sound like wonderful reads. I felt right at home since I've just re-released my own fantasy romance about the Greek Muse Terpsichore, in which Lisa's own hero Ares also features. (They get around a bit, these Greek gods! ;) ) Anyway, without further ado, let's find out a bit more about Lisa. Over to you, Lisa.

LBD: I'm 44 years-old, married 25 years to my wonderful husband, Roy, we live in my hometown of New London, CT where we've raised two daughters.

HL: What do you do for fun when not writing?

LBD: In the nice weather, my husband and I go on 'hot dog hunts' where we drive around Connecticut looking for the best hot dog stands. The last one we went to served a 2 foot hot dog! I couldn't finish it but, boy, was it delicious!

HL: Mmmmm - so when did you start writing?

LBD: 4^th grade, that's when my class was given its first ever creative writing assignment. We were to write about the first flight of baby bird leaving the nest. The whole class wrote happy tales of baby birds flying through blue skies. My story was different, in my story the bird died. It flew too high, hit an airplane, tumbled to the ground dead. The Daddy bird cried, the Mama bird cried, even God cried as He sent the rains down from the heavens. I knew when I read it the class and I saw them staring at me enrapt in my different little tale that I was going to write for the rest of my life.

HL: *Sob* That's so sad. I used to write sad endings when I first began writing too. Yes, one truly knows one is destined to write when other people are so enthralled by ones work. What comes first: the plot or the characters?

LBD: I'm one of those annoying Muse Writers so, basically the whole story comes at once. I get a snap shot in my head and the entire story is told in that one picture. Then we (the Muse and I) have to convert the picture to words, which could take several hundred pages. I don't make notes and I don't plot anything out. It's already there it's just a matter of allowing it to write itself through my fingers flying on the keyboard.

HL: That is surely one of the most 'fun' ways to write! Tell us about your latest release and what you think readers will enjoy about it

LBD: The OF WAR series centers around the Greek Pantheon and some of the Celtic Pantheon although it's set in modern day. Ares God of War has been living in exile from Olympus when a half-fey half-human woman, Maggie MacLeod, washes up on the shore of his secluded Greek Isle. The Olympians want her on Olympus believing she knows something about the violent death of Artemis. Ares sees a way to get his place back on Olympus. As Fate would have it he falls in love with her even though all of the odds are against them. Alena, as Ares comes to call Maggie, has been on the run from her husband Cernunnos for as long as Ares has sat in exile. The first book in the series, "The Heart of War" contains many graphic scenes of sex and violence and, like most of my work, it isn't recommended for the faint of heart.

In Book #2 "Child of War-A God is Born", Ares and Alena have moved from the peace and solitude of the island to Mount Olympus where she doesn't fit in and she's outwardly despised by Zeus. After Raven, the son of Ares and Alena, is born, things go from bad to worse very quickly. The boy is quite the handful, if you've ever seen "The Omen" you have a good idea of Raven.

HL: If someone were to play one of your characters in a movie, which character and what actor would it be and why?

LBD: It would be Ares because he's larger than life and bad to the bone, but there's a real heart in that brawny chest. I once asked my readers, just for fun, who they would like to see play him in a movie. It was a tie between Gerard Butler and Hugh Jackman. I asked them who they wanted to see because I can only see one man in that role and he's gone from this world now. My Ares is inspired, in large part, by Kevin Smith who portrayed the character on 'Hercules the Legendary Journeys' and 'Xena Warrior Princess'. The "OF WAR" series is dedicated to his memory.

HL: What a great tribute, I loved Kevin Smith in that series too. Do you listen to music when you write and if so, what kind of music – or do you find it distracts you?

LBD: I always have my iTunes going when I write, I find The Muse sometimes speaks to me through the songs that come up on 'shuffle'. I couldn't write without music in the background. I listen to a lot of tunes, mostly 'Classic Rock' (60s-80s) but I like old blues and jazz as well.

HL: Tell the readers - what is your personal definition of success?

LBD: Being completely happy with who I am and what I do.

HL: Lastly a 'fun' question because I'm ainimal mad! If you were an animal, which one do you think you would be, and why?

LBD: A wild horse running free over the Western Plains. They're bold, strong, beautiful, graceful, and everything that I aspire to be.

HL: LOL, gentle readers, I swear Lisa Beth and I have never met before - and she doesn't know that aside from writing, horses are my other passion. That's exactly what I'd have chosen to be myself, Lisa! OK, let's pour ourselves a mug or glass of whatever you fancy, and read about these fantastic books!

THE HEART OF WAR

GENRE: Erotic Paranormal Romance

LENGTH: Novel-516 pgs.

HEAT LEVEL-HOT

SEXUAL ORIENTATION-M/F

TRAILER: http://youtu.be/eH6KtA5tIw0

CONTENT WARNING - The Heart of War contains scenes of graphic sex and violence. As such, this novel is intended for ADULTS ONLY it is NOT recommended for the Faint of Heart or for the Harlequin/Avon/"Twilight" reader.

BLURB:

Inside the Heart of every Warrior breathes the Soul of a Hero--even within The Heart of War.

Meet Ares God of War,the greatest Warrior the world has ever known. He's moody, grumpy, dominant,ravenously sexual, and above all, built like a Greek God.

Suspected of killing hisDaughter in-Law, Psyche, and long in exile from Olympus, the solitude of Ares' secluded Greek Isle is interrupted when Magdalena MacLeod a plucky little Fey washes up on his shore after believing she's been shipwrecked. It's not mere fate that has brought the unlikely couple together yet it may be what tears them apart.

Branded with a golden chastity belt bearing the mark of Cernunnos, Celtic God of the Forest and Death, Alena has been on the run from her husband the Great Horned God for 200 years.

When the Olympians discover her presence on Ares' island, they send Apollo to the island while Ares is away with orders to bring her to Olympus. Withnowhere to run and strikes a bargain with the God of War--her virginity for his protection.

Ares sees a sweeter deal; her in his bed and himself back in his rightful place on Olympus among the Gods. If it means turning Alenaover to Zeus afterward, well that's of noconsequence to him...is it?

After Alena proves herself to the God of War in battle and in his bed, Ares must choose betweenhis Divinely Dysfunctional Family, his pride, and Alena.

Get lost in this sweeping dark saga of lust, rage, revenge, and redemption. Battle Ancient Gods while falling in love with Ares God of War and Alena MacLeod.They share a love that will rock the world from the heights of Olympus to the Celtic moors.

Excerpt:

Letting the softness of her touch and the warmth of her body comfort him, Ares closed his eyes and drew in the peaceful shelter she offered. "It's not you. It's Them."

The Olympians were quite the Divinely Dysfunctional Family. Alena had never seen or heard so much bitter bickering from one clan. If that was her Family, she might be damn happy that she lived in Exile on a beautiful island such a sthis. "They're awful." She whispered in his ear careful not to let any prying ears overhear. Ares gave out a deep chuckle and then another sigh as his hand rose up to caress her arm. She thought of how brave, how daring, and even dashing, Ares had been as he stood there telling all of them they could not have her. When she listened to him speak of Artemis, Alena nearly cried. Then she had been stunned into silence having expected the God of War to hand her over, maybe not with ease but readily enough, in return for his crown and scepter. "Thank you for keeping your promise."
"You expected this chauvinistic pig to do less." Ares mused still with his eyes closed. "Everyone does."

Under her hands, beneath the thick pad of fur her fingers were twirling,Alena felt the steady beat of his heart. It too was brave and strong. "Why did you do it?"

Last night, Ares indulged himself in the pleasuresAlena had to offer not in the name of any barter. Not for any affection. Just,simply, because the opportunity arose and he took it as he always did. Come morning, Ares expected that he would turn her over to the Olympians in exchange for those things so wrongfully taken from him. For all her intrigue and mystery, she was still, disposable. Unimportant.Superfluous. For centuries, all he thought about was going home and the chance finally fell into his lap, Ares thought it was a Gift from the Gods.

Yet when Zeus unknowingly presented all of them with irrefutable proof of Ares' innocence, he had the gall to make more demands upon him instead of lifting Ares' exile. It wasn't that Ares minded going to War, it was after all, his Thing. He wanted revenge for Artemis as much as much as any of them. Couldn't Zeus see that? Surely, he did, he must know this much about his Son. It was then that Ares realized none of it was about Justice, just Power. Nothing ever changed on Olympus. Standing there in the Great Chamber, Ares started wondering why he ever wanted to go back to Olympus. Why return to all of that bickering and backstabbing when he could stay on his island with her?

Last night she was expendable. Tonight that was no longer the case and he wasn't sure where the tide turned or even how it had done so. Ares understood that Vindication wasn't the Gift the Gods sent him; Alena was. With five thousand years behind him and, if all went all, another four or five thousand ahead of him, Ares was too old to mince words, too old to play stupid or coy. He wondered how much time his pretty little Fey had ahead of her." I'd rather have one night with you here on my island than a ten thousand more nights with them on Olympus."

THE HEART OF WAR is available in paperback through Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Heart-War-Lisa-Beth-Darling/dp/0615424686/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1306886813&sr=8-4
In e-book through Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Beth-Darling/e/B002BMDA9I/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 Nook, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/noresults?keyword=lisa+beth+darling&store=book

iBooks: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-heart-of-war/id439988502?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

All Romance E-Books,
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theheartofwar-526917-140.html

Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/lisadarling
And other retailers

CHILD OF WAR-A GOD IS BORN (SEQUEL TO "HEART")

GENRE: Erotic Paranormal Drama

LENGTH: Novel-428 pgs.

HEAT LEVEL-HOT

SEXUAL ORIENTATION-M/F

TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et3HZTTVJno

BLURB:
Do you know 'Damien'? Raven makes that kid looklike an angel.

The"Of War"-series picks up in part I of this II-part sequel when Ares and Alena try to settle down on Olympus and await the birth of their son,Raven.

Haunted by prophetic visions along with a body and mind that are starting to betray her, Alena struggles to enjoy what should be a happy and blessed occasion. The relentless hostility from the other Olympians make her yearn to be back on their cozy island home, far away from all the bickering and backstabbing that makes up Life on mighty Mount Olympus.

Knowing of Zeus' unabashed hatred for Alena and the Celts, Ares becomes convinced Zeus is causing these visions and the breakdown of Alena's mind. To appease his Father, the god of gods, Ares enters into a wickedblood pact ensuring the safety of his wife and unborn son. A pact that could cost the God of War everything he holds dear.

However, once the boy arrives, it quickly becomes clear Raven may be the most powerful and cunning Olympian ever born. Outwardly despised by Zeus for his Fey blood and his filthy Celtic mother the seeds of rage and doubt are planted in the Raven's mind by a very willing Apollo.

As Zeus, Apollo, and Aphrodite plot against the new family, bit by bit the true pasts of the Olympians and Celts comes to light, the battle begins forRaven’s mind and soul and for the ultimate control of Olympus.

EXCERPT:
Before Ares could shout to his Son that was enough,a great gust of wind swirled around in the small room. It blew back his hair and then pushed against him with such force he had to fight to stand his place.Alena's beautiful gray eyes closed as her arms splayed out at her sides, one with the palm open and the other choking the staff. The point of the spear wavered in the strong wind as Raven struggled to stay pitched forward as the growing gale threatened to lift him off his knees and toss him across the room. Raven countered, his young hands glowing with an eerie blue light as they began freezing to the staff, the new ice ball growing between them. This one was twice the size of the other and if he hit her with it at this close range, Raven might well kill his mother.

Without any warning, the wind seemed to turn on Alena; it lifted her body upward from the small of her back to her shoulders, bringing her throat dangerously close to the tip of the spear. Suddenly her eyes opened to revealonly the whites. As though she could see through them, they shifted to Raven'shands and then back to his face. Amazingly, Alena's lips turned into a cold grin that fixed Raven's stare to her face while she lifted the staff and then brought it crashing down to the marble floor with such force the echo was deafening. Raven flew off her. The staff left his stunned hand, the ice ball retreated, and he hit the stones of the fire pit with such force that they shattered. Before the boy or his Father knew what was happening, Alena, her eyes still showing only the whites, was standing over Raven with her staff pointing at his throat and her foot on his heart. "Yield," she whispered as the wind whipped around them, tossing bits of dust into Ares'eyes.

Angry at having had victory snatched so cruelly from his grasp, Raven stared up her as he shielded his eyes from the biting wind. "Uncle," he spat.

It took a few moments but the wind subsided, Alena stumbled backward on unsteady feet before the whites of her eyes rolled down and she looked out at the world through those luminescent pearls of gray.

"Wow," Ares muttered, stroking his beard trying to digest everything he'd seen. Magick was not normally part ofAlena and Raven's sparring routine; she was afraid to use it even though he'd tried to tell her that he could counter any damage she might do. No matter what he did he couldn't coax her into it, so magick was off-limits when they sparred. Today when Raven unexpectedly threatened her with it, Alena didn't hesitate to answer the call.

Catching her breath and feeling a wave of nausea wash over her, Alena looked down at Raven, who looked up her angry and afraid. "Are you ok?" She reached out a hand to him but Raven batted it away.

"Fine, mom." Jumping to his feet in a quick move, he brushed off the dirt and debris from his bare skin. Instead of stepping up and congratulating his mother, when she turned her back to him to look at Ares, Raven let an ice ball fly from his hand to strike her in the back of the head,splitting it open as it brought her to her knees. "Take that, you whore."

CHILD OF WAR is currently available in limited signed hard cover available only through the publisher http://www.moonsmusings.com Paperbacks will be available through Amazon.com on Halloween! Available in paperback through all of the onlineretailers above in mid-November. E-Books will release on Black Friday(11/25/2011)

The Heart of War-Dark Romance and Erotic Fantasy
Is available in hard cover as well as several ebook formats

Child of War-A God is Born
Limited Edition Hard Covers 9/10
Paperbacks 10/31

Dream Weaver - Contemporary Romance and Suspense
Is available in paper back and several e-book formats

Daily Blog

Thank you so much Lisa, these books do indeed sound fantastic, and I wish you much success and many, many sales with the series!

'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH'STARQUEST' 'CHILDREN OF THE MIST' (The sequel to Starquest) Dancing With Fate 'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH'

Also available on Kindle

noreply@blogger.com (Hywela Lyn) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 19:45:00 +0000

Today I'm one of the authors taking part in the Goddess Fish Party. Come along and join the fun - prizes to be won! (and it's my Birthday!)

http://goddessfishparty.blogspot.com/

Also available on Kindle