Sue Perkins - Author

Welcom Marva Dasef a d Midnight Oil

2012-01-16T02:26:00.000-05:00

MIDNIGHT OIL Book 2 of the Witches of Galdorheim Series

Shipwrecked on a legendary island, how can a witch rescue her boyfriend if she can’t even phone home?

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of Midnight Oil.

by Marva Dasef http://marvadasef.com/

MuseItUp Buy Page: http://tinyurl.com/6wswbsf

MuseItUp Author Page: http://tinyurl.com/MIU-MarvaDasef

Blog: http://mgddasef.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/MarvaDasef

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/?tab=wX#107073845875601488093/posts

Twitter Handle: @Gurina

Book Trailers: http://www.youtube.com/user/MarvaDasef/videos

"Midnight Oil" book trailer is live at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdfNTVeMS1s

The book trailer will be featured at http://yougottareadvideos.blogspot.com/ on January 20th. Voting is between the 21st and 26th.
The Amazon buy link is live at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006UTL54A

Bad Spelling, the first book in the series, just placed 2nd in the Preditor/Editor Readers Poll in Children's Novels. Bad Spelling is also available from MuseItUp and Amazon.

Blurb:

Kat is a nervous wreck waiting for her boyfriend's first visit to her Arctic island home. He doesn't show up, so she's sure he’s given her the brushoff.
When she learns he’s disappeared, she sets out on a mission to find him. Things go wrong from the start. Kat is thrown overboard during a violent storm, while her brother and his girlfriend are captured by a mutant island tribe. The mutants hold the girlfriend hostage, demanding the teens recover the only thing that can make the mutants human again–the magical Midnight Oil.

Mustering every bit of her Wiccan magic, Kat rises to the challenge. She invokes her magical skills, learns to fly an ultralight, meets a legendary sea serpent, rescues her boyfriend, and helps a friendly air spirit win the battle against her spiteful sibling. On top of it all, she’s able to recover the Midnight Oil and help the hapless mutants in the nick of time.

CETO the Sea Serpent

In MIDNIGHT OIL, the second book of the Witches of Galdorheim series, our erstwhile heroine gets a little help from an unusual source. Did you ever wonder why there are so few sightings of the Loch Ness monster? Well, Nessie vacations on Ultima Thule, which may be the remnants of Atlantis.

She's not fond of the name Nessie or Loch Ness Monster and prefers to go by Ceto. From http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Ceto :

In Greek mythology, Ceto or Keto (Greek: English translation: "sea monster") was a hideous aquatic monster, a daughter of Gaia and Pontus. The asteroid (65489) Ceto was named after her, and its satellite (65489) Ceto I Phorcys after her husband. She was the personification of the dangers of the sea, unknown terrors and bizarre creatures. Eventually, the word "ceto" became simple shorthand for any sea monster. The term cetacean represents a case in point. Her husband was Phorcys and they had many children, collectively known as the Phorcydes or Phorcydides. In Greek art, Ceto was drawn as a serpentine fish. Ceto also gave name to the constellation Cetus.

Kat Meets Ceto in Midnight Oil

Ceto and Nessie become one. She’s not a bad, um, person, but much misunderstood. She finds my heroine adrift in the northern seas sitting on a block of ice. Oh, yeah, I should mention that the block contains the body of her father. Ceto finds this all fascinating and helps my heroine dock the ice block at Ultima Thule and find a messenger to send for help from the Witches' Island of Galdorheim in the Barents Sea.

EXCERPT

Kat sat cross-legged on the ice, one hand clutching the rope, and looked down at her father’s face. His eyes were open but unseeing. The deep gash on his forehead didn’t do much for his appearance. She hoped when he reached Siberia for his final burial, the Samis would fix him up a bit. She knew it didn’t matter, but it would make her feel better.

A wave came out of nowhere; the ice block rose and fell almost knocking Kat into the water. She clutched at the ropes and looked in all directions, but the sea remained calm. She frowned, wondering how… Then, a light bulb blazed inside her head when she sensed something large passing under her makeshift boat.

Kat edged herself up on her knees, keeping a tight hold on the ropes. She scanned the water closely, and to her right, she saw a dark shape under the water. A whale, perhaps. Maybe her calls finally got results.

The shape turned and came back toward the ice block. It stayed several feet below, so Kat could only make out a dark shadow as it glided beneath her. The ice block lifted and dropped again. She looked to her left to see a long neck stretched out, followed by a bulky, black body. A short tail emerged from under the block and slapped down on the water. It sprayed Kat’s face with icy droplets but didn’t drench her.

The dark shape rose slowly upward. First, a small head appeared, and Kat thought it might be a seal, and then the long neck emerged. Her mouth dropped open, and her eyes followed the head upward until she had her neck bent back as far as she could. The creature regarded her with huge, dark eyes, seeming too big for the little nob of a head. Its skin was dark gray, almost black. Kat noticed how smooth it appeared. She wanted to reach out to touch it. She thought better of that notion when the creature’s mouth opened and revealed rows of sharp teeth.

A voice spoke inside her mind. “Who are you, little girl?”

“Little girl? Why, I’m almost…” Then, thinking it’d be rude to argue with her only potential rescuer, she finished, “I mean, I’m a witch, from an island…” Kat looked around and waved her hand, “somewhere out there.”

“You wear the skin of a seal, and you can speak to creatures of the sea. Are you, perhaps, a selkie in human form?”

“Selkie? No, I’m just a witch from Galdorheim.”

“Hmm. How came you to be on that block of ice?”

“I’ve answered your questions,” Kat said, peeved at being grilled by a sea monster. “Now you answer one for me. What are you? And where did you come from?”

“That’s two questions.”

“Well, you asked two, so answer up!” Kat sensed she need not be afraid. The sea monster, as she now thought it to be, did not send any warning signals. It was simply curious.

“I am me.”

Kat frowned. While harmless, the creature seemed to have an evasive streak. Why did it show itself to her if it didn’t want to talk?

As if it heard Kat’s thoughts, the creature said, “Very well. The world has called me many names. Sometimes Nessie from where I once lived.”

“You’re the Loch Ness monster? I thought that was just a legend.” Kat stared in wide-eyed wonder at the mythical creature who might, if she could work it out, be her rescuer.

Welcome CK Volnek

2012-01-09T00:46:00.002-05:00

Today I have C.K. Volnek on my blog. She will be talking about her new Young Adult book "A Horse Called Trouble".

Meet Tara Cummings

Hello. Oh, I thought we were meeting C.K. Volnek today to discuss her book, A Horse Called Trouble.

Sorry. C.K. asked me to take her place today. My name is Tara and this is the story of how Trouble and I met.

C.K. says I need to get out and meet our readers. I do like meeting you all. I never used to be comfortable meeting new people. I was always afraid of getting put down and pushed around again. But now since I’ve met Trouble and moved to Freedom farms, I have found I’m more confident and trusting.

C.K. asked wants me to tell you about the contest! She is really excited about our book and is going to give one lucky reader who leaves a comment on the blog here a FREE e-copy of A Horse Called Trouble.

Oh, how wonderful. Can you tell us a little bit about A Horse Called Trouble?

Sure. I was so happy when C.K. decided to write A Horse Called Trouble. It’s a horse story…of course. Lol. I’ve always loved horses, though until I was sent to this horse therapy program I’d never been around one in real life. Now, after everything Trouble and I have been through, I don’t know how I could live without him. He’s taught me so much.

How old are you, Tara?

I’m 13. I’ll be starting high school in the fall. I used to be afraid to go to high school. I just knew I would be miserable. I was always miserable. I never had any self-confidence and got pushed around a lot. Now, after meeting Trouble, I think I can handle it. I’ve made some friends and feel confident I can do it.

Good for you. Where are you from, Tara?

I used to wish I lived somewhere beautiful and green, like some place out of a travel magazine. But I’ve always lived in this dirty city. With it being in the mid-west, one would think there would be more green. But not so in the part I grew up in. It was all concrete and garbage. If something did try to grow, it was choked out by car exhausts and people tramping it.

Once, I found a bunch of ‘Little House on the Prairie’ videos in the dumpster out behind our apartment and I watched them over and over at Grandma Kay’s. (She wasn’t my real Grandmother, but I loved her as if she was. She took care of me when Mom was gone or drunk.) Anyway, I used to dream about running in the tall grass like Laura Ingalls does in the show. I never thought I would ever see that much grass. But going out to Freedom Farm was like a dream come true. There is so much grass and tons of trees. It’s the most beautiful place in the world.

At first I didn’t want to be at the farm. I was sent there because I’d been set up. I didn’t take Alissa’s purse…and she knew it. But it was just like her to get me kicked out of our school for it. I learned a long time ago to just keep my mouth shut and try to stay as low as possible to keep off everyone’s radar. Everyone expects me to be trouble. Partly because Mom was a drunk and partly because she dumped me, leaving me to fend for myself in foster care. I quit trying to prove to everyone I wasn’t bad. I couldn’t win. Then I met Trouble. Kind of funny, him being named Trouble. But we had a lot in common. And it’s because of him that I can hold my head high now. I never thought I’d ever feel confident or find happiness.

Freedom Farms sounds like a wonderful place.

Sigh. It is. It’s beautiful. I’d never smelled lilacs before I went there. Oh my gosh, I loved it! My first day, all the kids were gagging because of the barn smells. It was pretty bad. A guy was cleaning out some really raunchy stalls. But once I got past that, the smells grew on me. I even found myself liking the smell of horse sweat. Ha!

The farm is just outside the city, though it feels like it’s light-years away. It’s fresh and green, with tons of open spaces. Wide open pastures and white rail fences. Horses of all colors and sizes. Peaceful. And quiet. You can even see a million stars from there.

You talked about a Horse Therapy Program. What is that?

It’s a really neat program. In this particular program, they bring troubled kids and horses together. The horses are our teachers. I thought the instructor was so stupid the first day when she said that. How was I going to learn anything from a horse? But they do teach us—a lot. Horses could walk all over us if they wanted to, but instead they choose to work with us…if we work with them. They teach us about teamwork, respect and trust. I’ll never forget the first day Clancy tried riding. Clancy is one of the other kids in our program. He was not working with Homer and Homer let him know it. I couldn’t help but laugh. Yeah, that didn’t go over so well with Clancy. I thought he was going to kill me.

What did Clancy do?

You have to understand, Clancy ruled Marvel’s. Or so he thought. I accidently kicked him where no guy likes to get kicked the first day I got to Marvel’s. I didn’t mean to. He dumped me out of ‘his’ chair and my leg just kicked him there. Anyway, ever since, he’s been after me. I tried to stay out of his way and hoped he’d forget. Except Alissa wouldn’t let that happen.

Who is Alissa?

Alissa is a girl from my other school. She hates me. And I don’t know why. And she is so mean to Trouble, too. That was one of the things we had in common. I had to stop her from hurting Trouble.

Tell us about Trouble.

Trouble is a great horse. And he’s so beautiful. He’s what they call a bay—red with a black mane and tail and a white blaze down his face. At first I was scared of him. He was wild and crazy, ready to kill anyone in his path. But I can see why, knowing Alissa. If I hadn’t met him, there’s no telling what would have happened to him…or me for that fact. He saved me as much as I saved him.

Well, I need to go. Feeding time will be here soon and Trouble likes his oats. Thanks for letting me stop by today. C.K. wanted me to remind our readers, we would love to hear from them. They can find us…

…at ckvolnek (at) yahoo (dot) com.

…on her web page: www.ckvolnek.com, or visit us at her blog: www.ckvolnek.com/blog.html.

They can also find her on Facebook (C.K. Volnek) or Twitter (CKVolnek), Good Reads and Jacket Flap. Her book trailer is on YouTube- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyJ1J9wESEY.

A Horse Called Trouble can be found at the MuseItUp Bookstore: http://tinyurl.com/7s7asu2

At Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/7vhdo6e

As well as other great on-line bookstores.

So, on behalf of C.K. Volnek and me, thanks again. And remember to leave us a comment for your chance to win a FREE copy of the e-book of A Horse Called Trouble.

Tara Cummings

How about an excerpt to tantalize the readers?

A Horse Called Trouble…

The massive barn towered up, into the Midwest sky, a prison of whitewashed boards, sunlight glinting off it. Might as well be barbed wire. Tara Cummings blinked, momentarily blinded.

So this was her punishment—horse therapy?

She shook her head, letting her mousy brown hair fall over her face. Another time she would have been thrilled to be here, to see a real horse, to actually touch one, not watch it on TV or the internet.

Her fingers tightened into a fist. This time was different. This was a sentence of shame—for something she hadn’t even done. She didn’t steal Alissa’s purse!

Tara struggled to swallow the lump in her throat, the dryness in her mouth refusing to release the knot. Alissa had set her up—she was sure of it. She’d planted the purse in her locker. Why? What had she ever done? Because she wasn’t cool…or popular…or wear designer clothes? Because she was a foster kid?

Resentment and desire burned as one in her chest. She’d never have money or popularity. She’d been born a have-not and the world was making sure she would always stay a have-not.

A cool morning breeze blew across the farmyard, cold fingers reminding the world that despite the sun and the absence of snow, it was only early spring and summer was still a long way off. Tara shivered and withdrew into her shabby sweatshirt, wrapping her skinny arms up in its scratchy fabric. She should have tried harder to prove her innocence to Principal Jackman. Should’ve made him listen.

A long breath whistled through her teeth. It wouldn’t have made any difference. He wanted to be rid of her, like everyone else in her life. Teachers, foster parents, her own mother. All too happy to wash their hands and dump her onto someone else. No one cared. Why would Jackman be any different? He couldn’t wait to ship her off to Marvel’s, the east side’s alternative to regular school. Marvel was, after all, the best place to dump all the 8^th grade scum no one wanted.

Tara gazed from the barn to the crisp, white fences and luscious green pastures surrounding them. Marvel was known for its unusual methods in dealing with problem students. But she had totally not expected this. It had to be some kind of mistake. The other kids had moaned and groaned, certain they were headed for a work-camp, cleaning up horse crap, hauling hay, painting, and all that stuff. Listening to them, Tara had envisioned smelly, peeling barns, and broken-down fences. This was quite the opposite. The farm was actually quite tidy. Nice. Peaceful. Not the kind of place she’d expected juvies to be sent to at all.

Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

A leaf rustled on the path in front of her, its dry brown contrasting against the spring-green grass. It twirled and danced on the gust of wind making its way from the barn toward Tara…along with the horrible stink. She pressed a ragged sleeve to her nose. Eww! It was everywhere. Like a subway toilet that hadn’t been flushed in weeks.

Who had she been kidding? This wasn’t some nursery rhyme Old McDonald’s Farm. This was a place to be disciplined and chastised. She pressed her sleeve hard against her nose. Her classmates were right—they just wanted to make them clean up the stinky horse crap.

A horse screamed. A flock of sparrows took flight from the tree next to the barn, swirling into the air, a dark cloud of feathers chattering their irritation. Tara searched for the animal and jumped as it screamed again.

“Whoa,” a man’s voice bellowed from inside the gaping doorway. “Blast it, I said, whoa!”

A short, thick-necked man stumbled out, heels digging into the hard dirt as he fought to hold onto the red horse dancing in circles around him. He clung to the thick reins with one hand and pulled a leather whip from his rear pocket with the other, snapping it at the horse with a loud crack.

The horse laid his ears flat, flashed a mouthful of large teeth and dove at his captor, hatred sparking in his eyes. Stumbling backward, the man let loose of the reins, surprise and fear flooding his face.

Tara gasped, a small, barely audible squeak coming from her mouth.

The horse spun around to face her, ears swiveling, black hooves stamping and pawing at the ground. Rage flared his black nostrils.

Tara froze, a scream stuck in her throat, staring wide-eyed at the red horse.

“Get back, Miss,” a voice ordered from behind her. Rough hands shoved her to the side of the path and a dark-haired man rushed forward, grabbing at the horse’s reins. The horse reared, lashing out, black mane rippling like a nest of angry snakes. The dark-haired man held on.

The horse blared again, his eyes wild, white rings surrounding the black.

Tara backed away as quick as she could, unable to take her eyes off the crazed horse. Her heart pounded in her ears. She wanted to get away. She needed to get away from this wild animal. Staring into the horse’s eyes, she couldn’t move. There was something…something in his eyes. She understood his look of pain.

“Are you crazy, Richard?” the black-haired man yelled, glancing back at Tara before turning his sole attention to the horse. “You know we aren’t supposed to have him on this side of the barns today. Beth’s therapy class is here.” He glared at the fancy leather saddle on the horse’s back. “And, what’s this dressage crap doing on him again?”

Richard stepped back toward the barn door, his face a mix of stubborn anger and impatience.

“I had my orders, Sam,” Richard grunted. “Miss Jordan called and told me to saddle him up. She wants to ride him.”

Tara blinked. Jordan? Alissa Jordan? Here? The hair on the back of her neck prickled. Her stomach rolled, the acidic taste of bile rising to her throat. She forced it back down. It had to be a different Jordan.

Sam pulled the horse down the path away from Tara, moving to avoid the dangerous hooves. “No way is anyone riding him, especially not in this get-up. He’s not ready. And this stunt is going to set him back even further.”

Richard snorted. “Don’t know why you’re wasting your time on this stupid animal anyway.” He extracted a dirty handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his glistening brow. “That horse ought to be shot. The only thing he’s good for is dog food.”

Sam stopped and stared back at Richard, anger darkening his eyes, his face turning almost as red as the horse. “I think you better mind your chores, Richard, before I do something I might regret—like tell Mr. McDonald you’ve been slacking on those stalls.” With a loud grunt, he directed the rearing horse toward a small corral between the two barns. “Let me take care of this horse,” he yelled over his shoulder.

Richard stuffed his handkerchief back in his rear pocket, the end sticking out like a grimy plaid tail. “You wait ‘til Miss Jordan gets here,” he scowled. “Then we’ll see who ‘takes care’ of that horse.”

Turning, Richard spotted Tara. He narrowed his eyes and growled to himself. “Slackers. Beth’s asking for trouble bringing these punk kids here.”

Tara shoulders tightened, anger biting at her tongue. Slacker? She wanted to scream, tell him, and everyone there, that wasn’t her. She blinked hard and retreated under her hair, letting her shoulders slump. What good would it do? Everyone assumed she was trouble because of who she was—because of who her mother was. And even though she may not be trouble, trouble always seemed to find her.

Richard pushed the open barn door closed, revealing a large wheelbarrow filled to overflowing with filthy dirty straw. A black cloud of flies hummed around it like bees to honey.

Tara gagged and covered her nose and mouth again with her sleeve.

With a loud grunt, Richard boosted the wheelbarrow’s handles and drove the smelly refuse down a winding path, disappearing behind a large shed at the bottom of the hill.

Finally, with Richard and the wheelbarrow gone, she dared to take a breath, coughing at the leftover stink, wishing she was somewhere else…anywhere but here. She didn’t belong here.

Rejection bit at her.

She didn’t belong anywhere.

Dragon Flame now available

2012-01-01T16:11:00.003-05:00

Dragon Flame my Young Adult book, is now available from Desert Breeze Publishing.
Eighteen year old Talei and several young children are left orphans after the attack on her settlement by fire breathing dragons. The survivors join up with other refugees but when Talei links telepathically with a dragon, she discovers their goblin riders are holding the female dragons hostage. Talei and her friend Adri lead a group of teenagers to free the beasts. Failure means the end of both dragons and humans.

This week from the 2nd January onwards I'm in the spotlight on Desert Breeze blog http://desertbreezepublishing.blogspot.com,
I have an interview on Flowers on the Fence blog http://flowersonthefence.blogspot.com and
another interview on LASR http://aurorareviewsarchives.blogspot.com/search/label/Author_Interview. My what a popular girl I am this week.

Book Releases

2011-12-30T01:26:00.001-05:00

Well I'm in a bit of a quandary now. I have one book released today 30th December and another one due for release on 1st January.

Today's release is "Reva's Quest" a Middle Grade fantasy book.

Reva and her garden gnome arrive in Fey to fight the evil, Malice. Joined by three quest companions, they travel across the land to Malice’s lair. Only Reva can rid the world of Malice, but their journey brings danger, and she wonders if she will survive. Malice’s evil has invaded many of the animals and these beasts try to stop them reaching their goal. One of the companions begins to act strangely, and Reva must consider the possibility of a traitor in their midst.

I had great fun writing this as the characters were all different and didn't really trust one another. The buy link for this is MuseItUp Publishing. You might also like to visit my website and see the other books I have published. Sue Perkins

To thank all the readers for supporting our MuseItUp authors this year, the publishers would like to end 2011 by offering you 15% off any purchase until December 31. Use this coupon in MuseItUp bookstore before moving on to Paypal: 2011ONUS

Christmas Ditty

2011-12-16T17:16:00.001-05:00

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat

Please put a penny in the old man's hat

If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do

If you haven't got a ha'penny, then God bless you!

When I was young we used to chant this, often when playing hopscotch. Never gave the actual meaning of the words a second thought. Looking at it now I believe it covers the spirit behind Christmas - not the religious meaning but the warm, fuzzy, inside feeling.

I believe this means if you can, please think of and give to those less fortunate at this festive time of the year. If your circumstances prevent you from giving to others, then may God bless you. Such simple words, but with a wealth of meaning behind them.

Merry Christmas everyone - may you enjoy it with family and friends.

Free E-book

2011-12-02T15:55:00.000-05:00

Santa's Present a complimentary book to my 20th Century Historical novel Blitz can be found at Desert Breeze Publishing and it's FREE.
Spoil yourself with this Christmas present and it won't cost you a thing.

Two New Covers

2011-11-12T20:50:00.000-05:00

I have two books coming out in January and both covers have been done at the same time. Different but beautiful and clever in their own way.

A Young Adult fantasy "Dragon Flame" which will be released by Desert Breeze Publishing.
Fire breathing dragons destroy Talei's home but when she links telepathically with a dragon, he explains goblins are holding their females hostage. Talei and her friend Adri lead a group of teenagers to free the beasts. Failure means both dragons and humans will be destroyed.

The other release is a Middle Grade book to be released by MuseItUp Publishing
Reva fights evil in Fey with the help of a garden gnome, elves, griffins and a knight in shining armour.

Spirit Stealer - Today's the day

2011-10-27T23:31:00.004-04:00

Today my Middle Grade book Spirit Stealer is released by MuseItUp Publishing. I'd like to share the blurb and an excerpt with your.

Blurb
The library is a different world when the doors close for the night. Playful phantoms emerge to tease Fader, the street urchin who sleeps in the warm building. The atmosphere becomes more sinister when the green phantom appears. To stay strong, he steals the spirits of children who enter, or are locked in, the library at night. The bodies of his victims disappear. The spirit stealer's attack on Fader leaves the boy with half a spirit, trapping him in the library forever.

Half a century later Amelia joins Fader when she is locked in by mistake. Fader tries to protect her from the spirit stealer but he fails with disastrous consequences.

Time moves on and a century after the library opened Tyler tries to rescue those trapped by the spirit stealer. Will his attempt succeed?

Excerpt
“What’s this?” Fader recognised the bull roaring tone of the man from the previous day. “Why is this door unlocked? Who stuck this paper in the lock? Get it out immediately and make sure the door is locked before you go home each night. We don’t want riff raff getting into the library.”

Fader’s heart sank.

The silly old fool’s found out how I got in. I’ll have to find another way, some place he won’t discover. He cheered up. I’ve got all night to work on that.

Fader spent the beginning of the night searching the building, looking for another way into the library. He searched the main entry and laughed as he sat in the Chief Librarian’s chair and twirled round.

I’ve got to find some way to get in. His gaze roamed the space before the front doors. Somewhere the pompous old fool wouldn’t even think to check.

Fader looked toward a small door on one side of the main desk.

Please let there be something to help me in here, he prayed as he opened the door.

The room held books neatly stacked on the floor and shelves. A bookcase hid the bottom half of a small window, but it only took a moment for Fader to fiddle with the catch. When he finished, it appeared to be locked, though it didn’t shut completely. He pulled the shelving further across until it hid the catch, but left enough room above for him to climb the shelves and slip out through the window.

The window entrance proved to be safer than the alley door. He didn’t have to worry someone might see him, or the window would be found and locked. He arrived after the library closed and left before it opened—too early and late for the librarians, lessening the chance of capture. Half his nights he spent reading and the other half sleeping. Weeks passed, and his nocturnal visits remained undiscovered. Fader began to think of the nighttime library as his very own place.

Then the noises started.

Buy Links: MuseItUp Publishing

Amazon

MuseItUp Publishing Interview

2011-10-21T17:54:00.004-04:00

NEWS FLASH.....NEWS FLASH.....NEWS FLASH...... CJAD 800 AM..........the news voice of Montreal will proudly host an interview on THURSDAY 27th of October 2011 between 4:30 and 5:00pm. Montreal's own AARON RAND will interview Lea Schizas-Publisher and Litsa Kamateros-Marketing Director from MUSEITUP PUBLISHING company. www.museituppublishing.com
Welcome to MuseItUp Publishing
www.museituppublishing.com
Canadian,epublisher,writing,books,ebooks

Special Price - Lost on Disc

2011-10-01T23:45:00.001-04:00

To welcome in October the price of my ebook Lost on Disc is reduced to $0.99 at Smashwords. Please enter the code HL23Q (not case sensitive) prior to completing checkout. Lost on Disc is a Middle Grade book set inside the computer. This coupon is valid from 1st October to 31st October. Enjoy!

Excerpt
Flic took on the misty shape of the Grand Master. Stargun watched him wave the copy control wand then move across the enormous floor to the center. The tall, cloaked image flowed instead of moving in Flic's usual hovering float.
Fascinated by the change in his friend, the star fighter saw Flic approach the control center and climb three steps to the column and keyboards. He waited for his friend to trip over and give the game away. This didn't happen and Stargun wondered how Flic could be so sure of himself. He had become the Grand Master in personality as well as shape.
Stargun looked quickly round the circular hall for any threat of danger. Several figures moved from place to place. All seemed to be intent on their own business and none of them took any notice of Flic. Some were similar to his friend but much taller as if they'd been stretched.
"Probably guards. Better check with Flic to make sure."
A glance at the center told him nothing. The misty figure blocked his view. Stargun returned to his scan of the Hall and froze in horror. On the opposite side of the control center a tall figure appeared. An exact duplicate of Flic. The real Grand Master!
The star fighter's eyes flicked from Flic to the approaching figure. What should he do? If he called out his friend could move the wrong way. Any noise would bring them to the GM's notice. If he kept quiet Flic would be caught. Would his friend be disintegrated for helping him? Stargun decided to distract the GM to allow Flic get away unseen. He took one step forward but stopped as Flic turned and moved down the steps of the control center.
"Come on Flic," Stargun muttered. "Hurry or you'll be seen by the Grand Master."
Flic reached the bottom step and turned right. He disappeared behind the control center. The real Grand Master appeared from the left a millibyte later.
Stargun's breath came out in a rush. He sagged against the pillar. Once his panic subsided the star fighter peered cautiously round the hall. Flic had disappeared. The real GM mounted the steps to stand at the controls. Moments passed. Flic hadn't appeared and Stargun began to worry. What had happened to his brave friend?

Welcome Meradeth Houston

2011-09-28T04:00:00.005-04:00

The last visitor to my blog on the MuseItUp YA/MG tour is Meradeth Houston. Welcome Meradeth. Would you like to tell us about your new release.

Bio: Meradeth Houston is finishing her degree-to-end-all-degrees in anthropology. Don’t ask her how long she’s been in school . She is also an instructor at her university, and spends most of her time working in a laboratory. Please drop by her blog or website!
Description of Colors Like Memories (available May 2012): Julia has a secret: she killed the guy she loved. It was an accident—sort of. In order to save her best friend's life, she's going to have to face her past, but her ghosts won't make it easy. Especially his.
Julia is a Sary, the soul of a child who died before taking her first breath. Without this 'breath of life' she and others like her must help those on the verge of suicide. It's a job Julia used to enjoy, until the accident that claimed her boyfriend’s life—an accident she knows was her fault. If living with the guilt weren't enough, she's now assigned to help a girl dealing with the loss of her mother, something Julia's not exactly the best role model for. If she can't figure out a way to help her, Julia's going to lose her position in the Sary, something she swore to her boyfriend would never happen.
When Edison arrives at school, Julia's plan to focus on her work is thrown into chaos. Somehow, he knows way too much about her past. To make matter worse, Edison sparks more than just her curiosity. But he's one more distraction, and Julia has no time, especially when she accidentally reveals her true identity to her assignment. To help her grieving friend, she'll have to face her past—it’s the only way she, and her best friend, will heal. But to do so she’s going to have to return to the scene of crime and relive every vivid detail of what happened the day of the accident. If she can’t accept what happened, she’ll be forced to leave the Sary and lose any chance she had at saving her assignment’s life. It’ll take learning to trust Edison, and herself, to face the true color of her memories.

Contest: If you’re interested in a copy of Colors Like Memories when it comes out, please leave a comment here or any of the other blogs I’ll be visiting this month. Or leave a comment at each of the blogs, for more entry chances! I’ll draw a winner from comments and announce it on my blog at the end of the month. Please leave me a way to get in contact with you!

Dream Weaving: (Oh dear, that’s a dorky title, but now it’s stuck in my head and I can’t come up with anything better…I guess it’ll have to do!) First of all, thanks a million to Sue for hosting me today! If you haven’t done so already, totally go check out my interview with her here on my blog . I’m really looking forward to Spirit Stealers!!

So, Sue asked me to put together a bit of a post about how I get my ideas, and then turn them into stories. Hmm, this is a very good question. One of those that somehow I think I should have a nicely articulated answer for. But, honestly? I don’t! (Lame, I know.) I can say where I tend to get my ideas: music. More often than not, I’ll be listening to a song and a scene/character/story will pop into my head. That’s what happened with Colors. I was listening to the then-current song “Shadow of a Day” by Linkin Park and suddenly I just had this story in mind. It was more of ghost of a story—a few tidbits of a character, a sense of overwhelming loss, and well, everything else kind of came together from there. I always kind of hate it when people say a novel “wrote itself” but in reality, Colors kind of did that. It was almost eerie how all the pieces clicked together.

My current WIP was the same way. I was listening to a song by The Black Keys (LOVE them!), and there was a story, waiting to be told. It’s taken some very random twists and turns, but it’s been a blast to write!

So, ideas kind of hit me out of the blue. I wish I had a kind of system worked out, but where’s the fun in that? Sometimes I like the surprise . And sometimes I find myself at my computer at 2am, wishing I could sleep, but knowing that if I don’t write this chapter down NOW, I’ll never get any rest. Yay for a creative life!

Anyhow, turning ideas into a novel is where the hard work is. It requires a lot of time sitting in front of a computer, getting into the rhythm of the story, and then many more hours tearing it all apart to make it stronger. If you can imagine, I listen to music during a lot of this, and regularly at the end of things I’ll have the one song that gave me the idea, along with one or two others, playing on repeat over and over. (I won’t say how many times “Shadow of a Day” has been played on my iTunes. Let’s just say it’s a lot. The number is actually kind of frightening to me…)

So, for me, inspiration is pretty random. Considering I am listening to music most of the time, it makes sense that every once and a while a song will trigger a story. Writing it down and creating a book from it is where the hard work is. I love it though!

How about the readers? Do you have a particular source of inspiration? A way that you weave it into a story? Leave a comment! (And remember, comments enter you into my contest, too!!)

Today's Guest is C.K. Volnek

2011-09-24T04:00:00.016-04:00

Welcome CK, thank you for visiting my blog.

This or That?

Hi, I’m C.K. Volnek, author of tween novel Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island, available September 23, 2011 through MuseItUp Publishing. This interview really has nothing to do with my book, but it was fun to answer these unusual questions and help you get to know who I am. Though as you get to know me, I hope you’ll choose to find out more about my book as well.

(Also…I’m giving away a FREE e-copy of Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island to one lucky reader who leaves a comment for me. Good luck!)

Cookies or cake? Cookies! Nothing compares to a warm chocolate chip or snicker doodle cookie straight from the oven. Mmm.

Jelly or jam? Either. But make it home-made. Store bought is okay, but you can taste and feel the love when a friend gives you a jar of home-made preserves.

Bright colors or darker colors? Give me the bright colors any day. I agree dark colors can add mood when decorating, but I prefer the punch of power and beauty of the bright colors of nature. Bright colors make me smile and dark colors tend to make me moodier. Even my hubby prefers me to be around bright colors, if you know what I mean. Ha.

Travel by train or travel by bus? Unless I have my own tour bus, the answer would have to be train. There is a mystique and pleasurable atmosphere on a train. Maybe it’s because I’ve watched too many Harry Potter movies and envisioned myself sharing a cabin with my favorite characters on my way to Hogwarts. But I do love the constant clickity-clack of a steaming train.

Art museum or science museum? Some may find my answer rather humorous since I love art. But my love for art is more to the formal side, realistic. I do not understand nor care for most abstract, though I know people who pay a lot of money for it. With that said, I’d much rather go to a good science museum. It’s intriguing to see and learn about the world around me.

Socks or bare feet? Bare feet. My son teases me and tells me I have ‘slave’ feet. He thinks I can walk on anything. I did walk on coals once. Amazing and true; without burning my toes. I can’t wait to come home and kick off my shoes. Though as soon as the weather turns cold, the socks do stay on to keep the tootsies warm.

Go for a walk or go for a run? Walk. Never was a runner. Always asked my kids as they were gasping for breath after a cross country run, why they did it. They said it was fun. Fun? Then why did they wear such pained expressions on their faces? Give me a walk, where I can view and enjoy the scenery I am passing. Plus, my walking buddies, three little Papillons, could never survive a run.

Dresses or pants? Both. Love a good pair of comfortable jeans, but also am most comfortable in an ankle length, flowing skirt.

Dance or sing? Absolutely both. I enjoy singing with a trio in three-part harmony. I’m the one singing in the rafters. But it’s incredibly fun to find the parts and hear them blend. But dancing is a big part of me as well. My husband and I shared many years of dancing competitively and actually took many awards. I do miss it, though I know my body could not move the way it did back then. Sigh…time does march on.

Celebrate with a small group or celebrate with a large group? I’m more the kind to be with a small group. I want to talk to everyone when I celebrate with them and it’s hard when the group gets too large.

Now that you know me a little better, I hope you’ll take a peek at my Tween novel, Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island.

Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island

In 1587, 117 colonists disappeared from Roanoke Island without a trace, leaving behind not only unanswered questions, but a terrifying evil.   Now it’s up to twelve year-old Jack Dahlgren to unravel the age-old mystery and save his family from the hateful beast that haunts the island.   With the help of newfound friend, Manny, a Native American shaman, and an elusive Giant Mastiff, Jack must piece together the clues of the Lost Colony to discover what really happened. Shrouded in ancient Native American folklore, it's up to Jack to uncover what the evil is and why it haunts his island. But can he destroy it...before it destroys him?  Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island by C.K. Volnek. Available September 23, 2011 by MuseItUp Publishing  You can find out more about me and my books at my website, www.ckvolnek.com.
E-mail me at ckvolnek (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Friend me on facebook (C.K. Volnek) or Twitter (CKVolnek.)
I’m also on Good Reads and Jacket Flap.
You can also watch my book trailers on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbJEF9TjZzo or by selecting ck volnek.
My books are available at the MuseItUp Book Store:
as well as Amazon and many other fine book locations on-line.

(Remember…I’m giving away a FREE e-copy of Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island to one lucky reader who leaves a comment for me. Good luck!

Thanks for stopping by!
C.K. Volnek
www.ckvolnek.com

Excerpt:

Jack laid the bike and his backpack on the edge of the road and sneaked through the trees. Mr. Kenney’s dilapidated cabin hid in the shadows. A breeze swirled around his head, and the faint smell of the sea filled his nose. His hands and cheeks stung from the briskness, and his face tingled.
Rubbing at the goose bumps popping up on his arms, Jack limped closer and closer, sliding from tree to tree, trying to remain hidden within the ominous shadows. Peering around a trunk of an Elm tree, he spotted the open door of the cabin. Mere yards away, the foul stench of rotten garbage filtered out. He scrunched his nose, holding his breath. A dim light showed in the dirty kitchen, displaying a toppled table and broken chairs. Shattered dishes lay strewn on the floor, pieces scattered as far as the porch. A smear covered the inside wall next to the door. Jack gasped as the dangling light bulb swayed. It illuminated the wall, revealing a red handprint.
Blood.
A pair of car lights pierced the darkness, and the motor grumbled as someone turned from Jack’s driveway onto the highway. The loud vehicle jerked back and forth. Was the driver drunk? Was he looking for something?
The motor revved. It wasn’t the sheriff. Who would be up at their place at this time of night? What would they want up there?
The old pick-up slowed as it neared Mr. Kenney’s house, pulling over on the side of the road close to the bicycle. Leaving the motor rumbling, its driver opened the door and got out. Jack peered at the blotchy vehicle, its paint faded and peeling. He couldn’t make out the color...blue, green, maybe black?
A tall man walked into the shadows, the darkness encircling him. Jack slipped to the other side of the tree, his hands shaking as he watched the stranger march closer and closer. Mushy grass squished under the man’s giant steps, and a creepy dread prickled Jack’s skin.

Welcome Shellie Neumeier

2011-09-22T04:00:00.002-04:00

Welcome Shellie, would you like to tell us a bit about driven.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Robyn loves her friends, enjoys her youth group, and looks forward to meeting cute Caleb Montague. But when a caustic news reporter challenges her school’s prayer team, Robyn must choose: defend their right to meet on campus and pray for whomever they wish or back down at the principal’s request.

Now she must learn what God wants her to do. And she had better learn fast, because there’s a supernatural enemy in town whose sole mission is to stop her—no matter the cost.

FREE E-GIFTS FROM THE AUTHOR (offered for this blog tour only)—
Purchase Driven TODAY and receive a personalized, signed book plate mailed directly to you plus. . .
Free signed bookmarks to share with your friends

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT Driven

Driven is a new take on the age old battle of good versus evil. Gripping from the first page, this is one book you won't want to put down.

--Leanna Kay, co-creator of www.samiesisters.com - a place for Christian girls to grow in faith.

Driven is a breathtaking book of tension, intrigue, and heartwarming emotion. From the moment I began to read until the very last word, I couldn't put it aside. It held me enthralled!

--Lindsay Below, author of Head Over Hand-Bought Heels

Oily creatures of the night are seeking to destroy a group of teens at Brookfield Central High School. Their primary target? A resilient teenage girl who refuses to question her calling. But how much guilt, how much pain, and how much accusation can one human take? Laced with other-worldly plot threads akin to Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkness, Shellie Neumeier’s debut novel inspires followers of Christ to stand strong in God’s calling regardless of tragic circumstances. Along the way she explores tragedy in friendships and the beauty of redemption.
--Caleb Jennings Breakey, Refining Teen Writers into Rockstars www.CalebBreakey.com

In the tradition of This Present Darkness and The Screwtape Letters, Driven pulls back the veil between worlds and reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against Satan and his minions. But the journey of Robyn and her friends against both physical and spiritual enemies also illustrates the more exciting truth: that ultimate victory rests with our God.

--Anne Mateer, author of Wings of Dream, September 2011.

Short professional bio

Married for almost 20 years, Shellie and her husband have four wonderful children and two goofy greyhounds. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, she went on to acquire an early childhood education certificate. Shellie also served in youth, children’s, special needs and family ministries for over twenty-two years.
Today she enjoys teaching her teens how to drive and chauffeuring her preteens across the Wisconsin countryside. And once in a while, she enjoys reading a classic tale or new suspense. In addition to writing fiction, Shellie is an avid blogger on her site http://shellieneumeier.com and several others including http://Samiesisters.com, http://www.suite101.com/.com, and http://thebarndoor.net.

Contact information

Website: www.shellieneumeier.com
E-mail: neumeier(dot)shellie(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/shellie_c

Book Trailer:

Barbara Ehrentreu visits

2011-09-21T04:00:00.004-04:00

Due to technical difficulties Barbara was unable to visit when scheduled. We couldn't miss out on her post so I'm delighted to say Barbara rescheduled and will be visiting my blog today. Welcome Barbara.

Thank you Sue for inviting me and today I am going to talk about trying to use a quote from a well known book. In my new novel, If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor, I used a quote from a Dr. Seuss book in an important scene. Without thinking about it I thought just using quotation marks for it would be enough. The book, Horton Hatches the Egg, has been published since 1940. So I thought the quotes would be fine. However, when my publisher saw the quote she told me I had to get permission to use them.

In a panic I realized if I couldn't get permission for the quote I would have to rewrite an entire passage that to my mind and my editor's was fine as it was. So I set to work figuring out how to get permission. Lucky for me when I looked up Dr. Seuss books I found the foundation and it is affiliated with the original publisher, Random House.

"Oh, no," I thought. "I have to deal with a big publisher like Random House!" However, it turned out there are forms to get permission for any quotation. Not only did I have to fill out the form, but I had to find the book and photocopy the pages where I found the quotation. I sent all of this to the address on the form by FAX. Then I waited weeks and weeks. I thought they had lost my form, but an email arrived and sure enough, they couldn't read the FAX. So I had to scan and email it to them. Then I waited more weeks. Meanwhile, my book was going through edits and then they wanted to see the exact passage where I used the quote. So I had to copy and send that too.
Again, I waited weeks and weeks. Then finally, months after I had sent the original form a letter came from Random House approving my use of the quotation!!!

I learned a lesson from this. The next time I want to use a quotation from any book I will start the permissions cycle much earlier. For any authors who are thinking of using a quotation in your novel, the process start to finish is more than three months. So start as soon as you can to get the permission.

If you get a copy of my book you will see the three lines that they required me to put to acknowledge the quotation with a little bit of the passage:

“Yes, Janie, I promised, and a promise is a promise is a promise.”
“Right, do you remember from that Dr. Seuss book? ‘An elephant’s faithful one hundred percent.’” Becky laughs. This was our favorite book in first grade.
(from If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor, by Barbara Ehrentreu)

Blurb:

Carolyn Samuels’ freshman year becomes a series of lies to cover Jennifer Taylor’s terrible secret in return for popularity.

Carolyn Samuels is obsessed with the idea of being popular. She is convinced that the only thing keeping her from happiness is her too heavy for fashion body and not being a cheerleader. Hyperventilating when she gets nervous doesn’t help. When she is paired for a Math project with the girl who tormented her in middle school, Jennifer Taylor, she is sure it is going to be another year of pain.With Carolyn’s crush on Jennifer’s hunky Junior quarterback Brad her freshman year in high school looks like a rerun of middle school. After Jennifer’s the only student who knows why she fell in gym class, Carolyn is blackmailed into doing her math homework in return for Jennifer’s silence. Jennifer takes on Carolyn as a pity project since she can’t be seen with someone who dresses in jeans and sweatshirts. When Jennifer invites Carolyn to sleep over to make her over and teach her to tumble, Carolyn learns Jennifer’s secret and lies to her own friends to cover it up. Will Carolyn become a cheerleader and popular? Does she continue to keep Jennifer’s secret? Or will she be a target of this mean girl again?

Here is an excerpt:

Chapter One
I spot him walking toward my locker with a small box in one hand and a plastic fork in the other. My Crush! He hands me the box, and I open it. Inside is a piece of luscious chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. I look up into his blue eyes and give him the box so I can touch his cheek as I smooth his dark hair.
“You always know just what I like.”
He smiles and feeds me a forkful of cake. I don’t have to worry about eating it because I can eat anything I want and not gain weight. He places the cake box in my locker so he can put his arms around me.
The first bell rings in my ears. I ignore it because I’m thin and blonde and floating in the arms of my dark-haired crush. The other cheerleaders run up to us laughing and kidding around, and I’m about to speak. The ringing gets louder.
The dream evaporates, and I realize it’s the darn alarm piercing my sleep. Slamming my fist onto the snooze button, I get this nagging feeling. Then I remember. I have something to do. Worse luck, I have to do it, not as the slender blonde beauty in my dream, but as the real Carolyn Samuels with my brown curly hair hanging like shriveled spaghetti, mud brown eyes, and a body too large for fashion.
I see my new book bag is packed and ready by the door with the initials C. S. in blue, my favorite color. Suddenly it hits me, and I get this dizzy let-me-plop-on-the-pillow feeling. Freshman year of high school—first day. My brain is ready, but my body isn't. Jennifer will be there. Math class and Jennifer; gym class with Jennifer. My body curls into a fetal position, and I throw the covers over my head. Don’t faint Carolyn, I tell myself, panting.
Dangling over the chair are those size twelve jeans, clown pants—hardly a fashion statement. I groan. Paired with the red long-sleeved T-shirt, they looked so good on the mannequin; I’ll look like a stoplight. What was I thinking? How could I possibly go to school looking like such a freak?
Actually, the real reason I can’t go is Jennifer, with her long straight blonde hair, perfect body, and clothes from magazines like Teen and Seventeen.
Yuck. I feel sick, sick with Jenniferitis.
I hear Mom's footsteps on the stairs.
“Why are you still in bed?” She comes upstairs and peeks into my room with a puzzled look on her face.
Moving the blanket up to my nose, I say, “Mom, I can't stop shivering, and my stomach and head hurt.”
She feels my head and looks at me with mother vision. “Carolyn, did you think I'd fall for your tricks?”
I cringe. Now my stomach and head ache for real. Defeated, I climb out of bed and get washed. I slip the hated outfit onto my body and glance at my bloated reflection in the mirror. It's too late to change. I’m stuck with this. If only I could be like Jennifer Taylor.

Barbara Ehrentreu Bio

Barbara, a retired teacher with a Masters degree in Reading and Writing K-12 and seventeen years of teaching experience lives with her family in Stamford, Connecticut. When she received her Masters degree she began writing seriously. If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor, Barbara’s first YA novel, was inspired by Paula Danziger. Barbara is a NY Literature Examiner for Examiner.com with several articles for them. Her blog, Barbara’s Meanderings, is networked on both Facebook and Blog Catalog. She hosts Red River Writers Live Tales from the Pages on Blog Talk Radio every 4th Thursday. In addition, her children's story, “The Trouble with Follow the Leader” and an adult story, “Out on a Ledge” are published online She writes book reviews for Authorlink.com. and several of her reviews have been on Acewriters and Celebrity Café. She is a member of SCBWI. Writing is her life!

Welcome Rebecca Russell

2011-09-20T04:00:00.011-04:00

Welcome Rebecca, I suggest my visitors dive in and read this post them leave a comment for Rebecca’s posting. One commenter will be chosen at random to win a FREE ebook or other PRIZE, such as an illustrated calendar, keychain, cover art notepad. You can’t win if you don’t comment. More details available at Rebecca Russell

BIO:

Rebecca Ryals Russell writes MG and YA Dark Fantasy and Horror while living with her family in a Victorian house on five acres of North Florida countryside. She also runs a Vacation Rental Log House on the property: Florida Black Bear Cabin.
She is a fourth generation Floridian. She was born in Gainesville, grew up in Sunrise, lived in Orlando and Jacksonville before moving outside Lake City to care for ailing parents.
The daughter of an Elementary-school principal and secretary, for fourteen years she taught Middle Grades, preferring English and Creative Writing. She had several students’ works published in anthologies as well as her own poetry, photography and stories. Her main interests are her four children ages 22, 19, 16, 11 and Irish hubby of 35 years. She enjoys spending her time writing, drawing, going to movies, reading, discussing philosophy with her 17-year-old son.
Over the course of the next few years she has several books being published.
Be sure to check out the special interactive Middle Grade Reader website for tons of information about Stardust Warriors as well as the other projects Rebecca has in the works.

Zarena

14-year old Zarena spends time with a Holy Order of Clerics on their hidden world of Revrum Natura, while she receives training in Martial Arts, Herbology, Astronomy, Weaponry and Mind Control. Destined to become the leader of the Vigorios, child warriors, who will assist the Seraphym in the war against the demon-dragons of Dracwald, Zarena grows up in a hurry. Lonely and homesick, she meets a Mermaid who encourages her to talk about her training. Is this new friend too good to be true? Zarena learns a valuable lesson about trust and betrayal—a lesson that will serve her well as leader of the Vigorios.

Prophecy

For centuries the residents of Solsyl lived in peace and harmony with the planet. Then the dragon-demons arrived, causing the Great Shuddering. Majikals from everywhere scurried to find shelter from the evil while humans hid. Laud regretted his rash decision of exiling the demons on Solsyl and asked one of his advisors, a member of The Conscientia, to protect his people. Jeremiah Holyfield agreed to leave the peaceful world of Revrum Natura for a life of constant strife and fear on the newly renamed planet of Dracwald. But Narciss, ruler of Tartarus and King of the demons, desperately wants what Jeremiah has sworn to protect—a Prophecy of Narciss’s future doom. And Narciss refuses to take no for an answer. But Jeremiah discovers allies along his path and even true love, which he never dreamed possible.
But forever is a long time to protect something without ever letting down one’s guard.

Odessa

17-year-old Myrna is drawn into the middle of an epic battle between Seraphym and Demons. An average High School student from Florida, struggling with inner demons resulting from an attack when she was 15, she wakes one morning on the Steampunk planet of Dracwald, home of the demon-dragons responsible for her brother’s recent murder as well as many other atrocities in the news. She meets sweet and sensitive Michael, who explains that according to prophecy, Myrna must gather the remaining six Vigorios (teen warriors with special talents) then train with the Majikals on an enchanted island. He accompanies her on the quest, but harbors a secret past that ironically would destroy all the faith she has placed in him. A handsomely roguish Scientist with suspect motives haunts her dreams and makes sudden appearances in unlikely places, while a sensual dragon warrior defends her against her will.
Will love and lust, jealousy, greed, deceit and distrust break the delicate tie that binds these teen warriors called The Vigorios? Can a troupe of teens help the Seraphym finally defeat the massive empire of evil dominated for eons by the demon-dragons of Dracwald?

Readers want to know how the world of Dracwald came into being.
Before I can answer that, you have to understand that for fourteen years I was a Middle School teacher. My favorite subjects were English/Reading and Social Studies. Although it was not a topic covered in the Social Studies books, I always did a section of Geography.
So when I started thinking about a world that Myrna would spend several years on, my love of Geography came into play. For the physical aspect, I took a globe, flattened it and slid the continents together to form Pangaea, the original single continent on Earth. From there I put mountain ranges where they would have naturally formed, deserts on the backside of the mountains because rainfall is less, and so forth. I had a ball placing swamps, and river deltas; forests and barrens. While doing this, the world itself began to grow and become real. I knew what monsters lurked within each forest or habitat. The Majikals revealed their hiding places.
Because the number seven is holy, there are seven Vigorios (teen demon-hunter-warriors), seven Provinces on Dracwald and seven Guardian Seraphym (one per Province). Each Province provides something useful or significant for the world or story. The most interesting Province to create was Impirius. This is where the dragons live. There is a tall ridge of mountains running down the back of Impirius, like the spine of a dragon. The Lucimons Range keeps Impirius separate from the rest of the world. The demons live in the northern portion of these mountains, called Dracolupo. This is where they have established dragon dens. The entire northern section of Impirius is toxic, due to leaching evil from the demons. Not only is it inhabited by monsters, but the land itself has evolved toxically.
Once the physical environment was complete, with mining resources allocated, farming, industry, cities and villages, railways and roads, I was ready to start planning the culture of the population. To keep it simple, I decided on a limited number of cultures: Dragon-demons, Majikals (elves, fae, dwarves, etc), Villagers, City Dwellers. They each received a culture, habitat, history, appearance, language, religion, etc.
The style of dress for the population as a whole is Victorian. Men wear top hats or bowler hats with suits or tuxedoes and walking canes. Women dress in full-length dresses with petticoats, small hoop skirts, hats from very fancy to simple. Our heroes, the Vigorios, couldn’t tramp through forests and swamps dressed like this, however, so they wear military knit clothing, tunics with drawstring pants and boots. Michael is able to cast a glamour over them, so they appear to look like everyone else. Villagers’ dress is more simple; homespun or at least homemade clothing, rough and serviceable.
I wanted the world to be primitive and dangerous. So, Narciss, the head demon, placed a limitation on movement by restricting development of roads, railroads, etc. All shipping by air freight, railroad or ships is done by demons. Humans cannot travel outside their Province. Within cities there are basic roads with Steampunked Hover Tricars for individuals and Skiibusses, huge egg-shaped, glass-enclosed mass transport that travels through the sky. But none of these leave the provinces. Otherwise, people ride bicycles, hover-scoots (scooter motorcycles without wheels), or walk.
The architecture varies by city. In Auriger, where the demons live and work, the city is sooty, dirty, run-down high-rises of apartment dwellings and offices. To go along with the Steampunk feel, lighting is provided by gaslight street lamps, and gas chandeliers or wall-mounted fixtures indoors. The further away from Auriger, the cities become more modern, clean, up-to-Earth standard, but still Steampunked. Self-sufficient villages, similar to Medieval times, are scattered everywhere.
Because the world is basically one giant landmass, shipping by sea is huge. There are several ports, but one major shipping port in Sinnuous with a rail system for spreading out the products to various cities. A lot of ocean means space for sea monsters, sea dragons. This provided a job for one of my characters. He is a Pistrologist; he studies the movement and habits of sea dragons for shipping companies.
Although the Majikals originally lived all over the world, when the dragon-demons arrived it caused the Great Shuddering and the Majikals all fled to an island at the opposite end of the world from Auriger. This island is located in Utgard, a chain of islands surrounding and enclosing a special sea called the Bluquor Sea. This is where the Sea Queen and her court of Merpeople live. On the island, called Caldelub, the Majikals have spread out and formed new settlements. With their majik combined in one location, it created a barrier around the island, preventing evil from entering. There are a few pockets around the world where Majikals manage to live, barely, but they refuse to leave; doing what they can to protect the land from the spreading evil.
There is a lot more I could share about Dracwald and its people, or you could read the book. If any of this intrigued you, then you won’t be disappointed. Odessa is the first of a five (maybe six) novel series called the Seraphym Wars. It is available as an eBook wherever eBooks are sold or here.

Welcome Marva Dasef and Bad Spelling

2011-09-17T04:00:00.014-04:00

BAD SPELLING – Book 1 of the Witches of Galdorheim
A klutzy witch, a shaman's curse, a quest to save her family. Can Kat find her magic in time?

by Marva Dasef
Blog: http://mgddasef.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/MarvaDasef
Twitter Handle: @Gurina

Book Trailer: You Tube
Release date: October 14th MuseItUp
Buy Link: http://tinyurl.com/3daem4r

Bio: Marva Dasef is a writer living in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a fat white cat. Retired from thirty-five years in the software industry, she has now turned her energies to writing fiction and finds it a much more satisfying occupation. Marva has published more than forty stories in a number of on-line and print magazines, with several included in Best of anthologies. She has several already published books of fantasy, science fiction, and mystery. A few more are scheduled for 2011 and 2012 from her super duper publisher, MuseItUp.

DESCRIPTION

If you’re a witch living on a remote arctic island, and the entire island runs on magic, lacking magical skills is not just an inconvenience, it can be a matter of life and death–or, at least, a darn good reason to run away from home.

Katrina’s spells don’t just fizzle; they backfire with spectacular results, oftentimes involving green goo. A failure as a witch, Kat decides to run away and find her dead father’s non-magical family. But before she can, she stumbles onto why her magic is out of whack: a curse from a Siberian shaman.

The young witch, accompanied by her warlock brother, must travel to the Hall of the Mountain King and the farthest reaches of Siberia to regain her magic, dodging attacks by the shaman along the way. At the Troll Kingdom, a young troll, Andy, joins the siblings in their quest to find the shaman and kill the curse.

Win a free ebook drawn from comments. Select either MG fantasy "Bad Spelling" or adult mystery "Missing, Assumed Dead."

Character – Aunt Thordis
Katrina's aunt, Thordis, is both harsh on her niece for her failings as a witch, and her biggest booster -- but never to Kat's face.

Thordis is the most powerful witch on Galdorheim, and the administrator for the practical day to day operations of an island that runs on magic. The witch population combine a share of their personal magic for the common good. Maintenance of the protective shield around the village, lighting, food production all make use of a touch of magic from every resident.

When Kat and Rune run off to find Kat's Siberian family, Thordis takes charge of what the witches will do. She has to make an alliancewith a very unfriendly witch, Mordita. Possibly, Thordis isn't the most powerful witch on the island after all.
Thordis is both regal and officious. She demands respect and brooks no nonsense. While the governance of the island falls on a council of witches, just about anything Thordis says is what gets done.

I picture Aunt Thordis as Dame Judi Dench the head of M6 in the James Bond films. Thordis is a bit younger, and her hair long but always done in an elaborate style. In that way, I'm reminded of Endora in the Bewitched series, except with blond hair, not red.

Excerpt shows Thordis at her bossy best, getting things done

“Order, please.” Thordis pounded the gavel on the table. “Come to order!” she shouted over the din of a roomful of witches and warlocks all talking at once.

From the back of the room, somebody shouted back, “Why should we do anything about a couple of runaway kids?”

“Because,” Thordis said, glaring at the warlock, “it takes a village, you nitwit. We’re all responsible for each other.” She paused until she had silence in the room. “Did Katrina and Rune make a bad decision? Yes. Did they put themselves in danger? Yes. Do they deserve to die because they’re silly kids? No!”

“What do you expect us to do?” asked a witch, sitting in the front row.

“That’s why we’re here, Gladis. To figure out what we should do. Now, I gave you the short version of what Mordita and I saw. Mordita, do you have anything to add?”

Mordita, who had joined Thordis at the Council, sat to Thordis’ right. She shook her head.

“Ardyth, would you like to say something?”

Kat’s mother rose from her chair on Thordis’ left and stared directly into the eyes of every witch and warlock in the room with a single glance.

“These are my children,” she began, her voice almost breaking, “and they’re in trouble. I’m asking for your help in getting them home safely. I would do the same for your children if the roles were reversed.” Ardyth bowed her head, struggling to control her emotions. A single tear ran down her cheek.

Many people in the audience, especially the ones with children, nodded their heads. The wave of sympathy in the room was almost palpable. Thordis took advantage of it.

“Quiet!” Thordis spoke over the renewed murmuring, rapping the gavel once more. “The floor is now open for suggestions.”

Welcome Lawna Mackie

2011-09-15T04:00:00.012-04:00

Welcome to my blog Lawna. Good of you to stop by on the MuseItUp YA/MG Blog Tour. First Lawna will tell us a little about herself and then she will interview Threeo a character from her book Enchantment Over to you Lawna.

Thank you Sue.

I have always believed in fairy tales and when I got tired of the old ones I made up my own. Each story would have a hero and heroine, but they were anything but typical.

I devoured my first romance novel when I was a teenager. I couldn’t read them fast enough. Years later I stumbled across my first paranormal romance…an injustice would be done if I tried to explain my joy when I found this genre of romance. My passion was finally in print.

Now, with the help of my bizarre dreams and crazy imagination, I have started to write and intend to share my stories with you. I hope you’ll love them as much as I do.

I am truly blessed. My husband is my inspiration and soul mate. We live on a small acreage in Didsbury, Alberta, with our most beloved companions, Dozer, Daisy and Mandarin.

Happy reading everyone and please stop by to visit me.

IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD – December 19, 2011 released through Liquid Silver Books http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com
ENCHANTMENT – January 13, 2012 released through Muse It Up Publishing http://museituppublishing.com

We have a new character for you to meet today…and a very interesting character at that.
Welcome, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself, and where do you come from?
Hello everyone. My name is Threeo and I’m a Hippo-Dog-Burrowing Owl from the world of Enchantment.

Well Threeo, that’s quite a mouthful. Exactly what is a Hippo-Dog-Burrowing Owl?
I resemble all three earthly creatures. I have a small hippopotamus body, and fluffy dog tail, and my head is the burrowing owl. I was created by magic.

I see. Can you tell us a little about your world of Enchantment?
Enchantment is a great world, or at least it was until she arrived. I have visions, so I knew she would come. Enchantment doesn’t allow foreigners of any sort. My master is the Enforcer for the world and he was supposed to get rid of her.

Oh my! That sounds harsh. How was he to “get ride of her”? And who exactly is she?
Meeka came to Enchantment from earth. She fell in the water and some how managed to cross the dimension and into Enchantment. Most creatures die. Kerrigan, my master should have sent her back, but he was scared she’d perish. What he didn’t know at that time was that she is a very powerful sorceress.

Tell us more about your life Threeo.

Okay, well, like I said Kerrigan is my master, I’ve been with him for a very long time. Oh…I also have babies. Baby Threeo’s! They are born in glass tubes and I raise them. When they are old enough they go to live with others like Kerrigan. The babies really like Meeka. Kerrigan’s parents Todd and Paddy Beaver are my favorites to visit. Paddy always has treats for Threeo.

“Beaver” you almost make that sound like they are Beavers?
Yes, they are beavers, but not like your human beavers. They adopted Kerrigan as a baby. Kerrigan is actually a dragon.

So what is happening in Enchantment these days?
{He shakes his head} It’s very scary in Enchantment. I’ve had a dream that Meeka kills Kerrigan, and she destroys the world.

Really? Is Meeka that type of person?
No, she’s not that type of person, but an evil Enchantment Counselor is going to try to capture her. If my vision is correct she will become a weapon of destruction. Kerrigan will try to protect her. They have feelings for one another.

It sounds scary Threeo. I hope your visions don’t come true. Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about Enchantment?
I think everyone would like our world. It’s beautiful. We have seven moons, which are actually like your sun, but the seven moons are a different color each day, making our world change color daily. We have pixies in Pixie Field, and we also spend time at Funny Fish Lake. We have Itchits and Fur Balls…everything is magical. Thanks for talking to me I do have a tendency to talk a lot. I really hope you’ll enjoy Enchantment.

Sorry for no show

2011-09-13T16:04:00.001-04:00

I must apologise for not having Barbara Ehrentreu on my blog today. Due to technical difficulties I have been unable to post her interview. Hopefully Barbara will be able to reschedule for later in the month.

Update, technical difficulties solved so Barbara will visit my blog on the 21st September. See you then, and before when other MuseItUp authors come to play.

Introducing Pembroke Sinclair

2011-09-12T04:00:00.015-04:00

Welcome Pembroke. I'm happy you were able to stop on my blog on the MuseItUp Publishing YA/MG Blog Tour.

Finding Time

People always ask me: Pembroke, when do you find the time to write? I work two part-time jobs, I have two children under the age of 5, a spouse, and a dog and a cat. My days are pretty busy. It seems I would barely have time to think, let alone write.

But the answer is very simple: I have a schedule. You can track my day from the time I wake up until I go to bed and pretty much know what I’m doing from hour to hour. For some, that sounds boring and predictable. Others would call it a rut. Personally, I enjoy being in a rut. I enjoy knowing what the day will hold for me. In reality, it’s the only way I can get stuff done.

Even my cat has a schedule. She knows when I’m getting ready for bed, and she watches me. When I head down the hall, she races in front of me, jumps on the bed, and gets ready for a few minutes of play and scritches. She does this every night. On some nights, I go to bed later, and she gets a little distressed. She jumps on my lap and meows in my face.

Without my schedule, I would find a bazillion other things to do that don’t include writing. If I have a set time, I fill it. I hear so many people talk about how they would love to write, but they don’t ever have the time. Well, I can tell you, time doesn’t just fall out the sky. You have to make time. You have to dedicate yourself.

Just because I have a schedule, trust me, things still happen to alter my plans. There’s illness, surprise visits, sometimes I’m too tired to work, and sometimes (very rarely) I do something spontaneous.

Writing is my passion, and, someday, I hope to make it my job. I can’t do that if I don’t dedicate myself to it. The only way I can find time is to schedule it.

Bio:

Pembroke Sinclair has had several stories published in various places. She writes an eclectic mix of stories ranging from western to science fiction to fantasy. Her stories have been published in various places, including Static Movement, chuckhawks.com, The Cynic Online Magazine, Sonar 4 Publications, Golden Visions Magazine, and Residential Aliens. Her first novel, Coming from Nowhere, is now available at eTreasures Publishing and Amazon.com. Her story, Sohei, was named one of the Best Stories of 2008 by The Cynic Online Magazine. If you would like to contact Pembroke, she can be reached at pembrokesinclair@hotmail.com or pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com.

Blurb:

The world has come to an end. It doesn’t go out with a bang, or even a whimper. It goes out in an orgy of blood and the dead rising from their graves to feast on living flesh. As democracy crumples and the world melts into anarchy, five families in the U.S. rise to protect the survivors. The undead hate a humid environment, so they are migrating westward to escape its deteriorating effects. The survivors are constructing a wall in North Platte to keep the zombie threat to the west, while tyranny rules among the humans to the east. Capable but naïve Krista is 15 when the first attacks occur, and she loses her family and barely escapes with her life. She makes her way to the wall and begins a new life. But, as the undead threat grows and dictators brainwash those she cares about, Krista must fight not only to survive but also to defend everything she holds dear—her country, her freedom, and ultimately those she loves.

Purchase link

Interlude - Blog Tour

2011-09-11T06:00:00.000-04:00

In this interlude of the MuseItUp Publishing YA/MG Blog Tour, I'd like to remind readers if they leave a comment on my blog with any of the visiting authors they will be in for a chance to win an ebook of my Spirit Stealer when it is released in October.

Introducing Barbara Bockman

2011-09-09T02:46:00.000-04:00

Hi Sue,

This MuseItUpYoung blog tour is fantastic in many ways, not the least of which is getting to know other writer from distant places. It would be so cool to visit you in New Zealand and have you come to visit us here in the US. I belong to a critique group, GradingPens, that Lea set up after the first or second Muse Online Conference. Besides several of us who have always lived in America, we have a member who moved here from India and another who lives in Australia. These friendships are just another reason to be happy to be part of the Muse Community. Thanks for inviting me to your blog today.

And I’m happy that Lea accepted my novel, Wounds, for publication. (Do you think an editor would take the “that” out of my previous sentence?) The great editing at MuseItUp Publishing is another reason I’m happy to be a Muse Author. My editors were Nancy Bell and Valerie Halley. We went back and forth many times until we worked all the bugs out. I’m happy to say that neither had any misgivings about plot or characterization.

And I’m also pleased for my association with cover illustrator, Kaytalin Platt. I don’t know how much searching she did, but she came up with a wonderful combination of the three main elements of my book, the wounded tree, the boy who tried to cut the tree down, and the chain saw. There is a point in the story where Craig, the MC, feels that he knows and understands the tree. I love the way Kaytalin merged boy and tree on the cover.

I presented an account of the plot last Thursday, the first day of the blog tour, on Rebecca Ryals Russell’s blog. Here is the URL: http://rryalsrussell.com/blog

Wounds is about a boy who is carrying a load of guilt and acts out at school by vandalizing things, such as writing on a teacher’s car with a magic marker. (I’ll tell you where I came up with that idea. It came from an episode of Car Talk on Public Radio. A lady called in to ask for advice on how to remove such a stain). Isn’t it great that we writers get ideas everywhere we turn? Craig’s worst act of vandalism is trying to cut down a giant oak tree.

Here is an excerpt from Wounds. Mr. Ark, the owner of the wounded tree, engages an expert tree man, Logan Raxter, to come and work on the tree. Craig will be the woodsman’s assistant. Nelson is Mr. Ark’s son.

* * * *

After school the next day, Craig and Nelson joined Raxter and Mr. Torrey Bartram, the owner of a hardware store, in erecting a shelter around the tree. Each of the four sides was framed to be twenty feet long by ten feet high. Plastic windows across the top allowed light to stream in for the scions, and a door permitted entrance. The boys helped the men nail yards and yards of clear plastic sheeting to the top of the frame and bring it together in a bunch around the trunk and lower limbs of the tree. Craig was happy to have something strenuous to do. He nailed planks in place with the force of a John Henry.
To Craig, the tree continued to look normal. Sure, it was dropping some leaves, that was to be expected in late autumn. There were still lots of green leaves on the live oak. Maybe the tree was conserving her strength to forge through the winter. Did she feel connected to the people who were working so hard to save her? Did she remember being at the center of a large community? Did she miss the squirrels scampering in her canopy? The birds raising nests-full of young? Would she be disappointed in the spring if there were no dragonflies or love bugs sheltering in her shade? Would she be sad if she had no shade to give? At least the woodpeckers are not driven off by the noise and activity, thought Craig; they’re still digging for insects standing upright against the trunk in that funny way they have.
* * * *
Sue, thanks again for this opportunity for me to talk about Wounds. My blog URL is
Barbara's website
And my twitter name is babs22582
Wounds, an ebook and Kindle, will be available beginning September 16 at: MuseItUp MuseItUp Publishing: Wounds

Spotlight at LASR

2011-09-08T16:26:00.001-04:00

All this week I'm on the LASR Spotlight. Answer the questions each day and be in to win an ebook of "Blitz" my 20th Century Historical novel.

LASR Spotlight

LASR has also posted a wonderful review of "Blitz".

And don't forget to drop by tomorrow for Barbara Bockman's visit on the MuseItUp YA/MG blog tour. Barbara is going to talk about her book "Wounds"so be sure to drop by.

And another one

2011-09-04T01:37:00.000-04:00

This is the first time for months that my blog's been this busy. I'm delighted to announce I've published a Middle Grade book on Smashwords. The title is "Lost on Disc" and is the tale of two computer characters who are trying to find the way home. The book is suitable for Grades 3 to 6 (USA).

Feel free to visit and read the excerpt.

Smashwords

Don't forget I'm visiting Rebecca Russell's blog today on the MuseItUp MG/YA blog tour. Here's the link

Rebecca Russell

September is here

2011-09-01T05:17:00.003-04:00

It's Spring in the Southern Hemisphere and to welcome in the new season I'm delighted to announce my Sky Castles Megabook is released on 1st September by Whiskey Creek Press.

It's also available at Amazon.com for those of you with a Kindle.

The series of three books in one volume tells the story of Caishel and Ailan, Elisette and Sard, and Robard and Tazia.

The three couples live on a planet where huge castles hang in the sky, with lesser mortals living in the towns below. The Eos share the planet with the humans, meaning more to the planet than the humans know.

Coming Soon

2011-08-27T03:51:00.003-04:00

I am delighted to announce the Sky Castles Megabook - a volume including all three books in the series - will be released by Whiskey Creek Press on 1st September. I have a soft spot for these books due to the heros and heroines. They all became part of me as I wrote their stories.

The week beginning 5th September I will be in the LASR Spotlight talking about my books, my life and the writing world in general. Visit and answer the question on Friday's post to be in to win a copy of my 20th Century Historical Romance - "Blitz"

During September my blog will be visited by many MuseItUp Publishing authors and I will also be visiting their blogs. An exciting month for all.

Come back and visit to see the interesting panorama of authors and books discussed this month.

See you soon.