Interview with Louise Lyndon, OF LOVE AND VENGEANCE

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?

Absolutely! In fact, my current novel, Of Love and Vengeance, originally started out as Lord Hugh’s story – but Lord Aymon wouldn’t behave and keep quiet as a secondary character should. So, I started to delve a little more into Aymon’s story and I quickly realized that Of Love and Vengeance was Aymon’s story and Hugh became the secondary character.

How long before you got your offer of representation/your first contract? Was it for your first novel?
If memory serves me correctly it was within 30 days. I’m with The Wild Rose Press and they are brilliant at not keeping the author hanging on for months, or even years, waiting to hear an answer. I signed with them for Of Love and Vengeance.

What factors influenced your decision to go with a particular agent or publisher?

I did my research and asked around lots of author friends. I know a few authors who were already with them and I only heard good things about them. One of the things that hugely influenced me was their speed in which they responded to emails. That may not sound like a big thing but I’m still waiting to hear back from publishers who requested a partial submission more than a year and a half ago. So, responding to emails (promptly) and not leaving authors hanging was a major factor for me. Also, I knew The Wild Rose Press are not so massively big I’d get lost in the grand scheme of things. That’s also very important to me. My editor there is brilliant and from my first contact with her I knew things felt right.

Are you currently under a traditional publishing contract for future books or do you have manuscripts that you will self-publish? Are you doing both?

At the moment, I’m still pretty knew to the publishing world, so I’m happy being with a digital first publisher. I get asked a lot why I don’t self-publish – I have nothing against those who self-publish. In fact, I only have the upmost respect and total awe for them. They don’t only have to be brilliant authors but fantastic business people too. I am not a business minded person. Yet. Perhaps down the track, once I learn more about the publishing world, I’ll self-publish. But at the moment I’m not yet ready to go down that road.

Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?
When I first started out I had a few critique partners and I really found them useful. But, I had an extremely bad experience with one of them, so much so that I actually stopped writing for a few years. It caused me to really lose confidence in my writing. When I started writing again I decided not to have a critique partner. And that was a huge thing for me. It took me so long to get the confidence in my own writing back and trust myself as an author. Are critique partners a bad thing? No. Of course not. They can be extremely beneficial. But for me, for the time being, I’m happy flying solo. Who knows what may happen down the track!

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?

Honestly? I just go where the muse takes me. I greatly admire those who can sit down and plot. Me? I’m a panster through and through. I love not knowing where my characters are going to take me. It’s exciting. Yet, it can also me a massive time waster! I’ve written so many scenes that end up on the cutting room floor simply because I didn’t have an outline as to where I was going. I have tried to plot. Once. It ended with me throwing the sticky notes across the room and screaming at the top of my lungs, ‘I give up!’.

Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?

You can find Of Love and Vengeance at all the major sites. Here are my buy links:

AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/1zW0SZ3
AMAZON UK: http://ow.ly/GGmSn
The Wild Rose Press http://ow.ly/FT0oK

Nook: http://bit.ly/1E35qRb
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1rd3y2C
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1Hq9Yh7
Google: http://ow.ly/GGmWb

What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?

I love social media – I’m completely addicted to it. So, you’ll find me on all the usual sites… Facebook, Twitter, website, blog.

I also belong to a forum called, Romance Divas. It’s a fantastic group of romance authors who share the highs and lows of the publishing industry. They are a group of the most supportive authors I’ve come across. I love hanging out there.

Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?
Oh, yes. Very much so. I have to admit I was somewhat naïve before Of Love and Vengeance came out. I thought it would be released and I’d do a bit of marketing and that’d be it. I’d then have all of this time to sit down and write the next book. Well, I’ve been slapped in the face with a huge dose of reality! I probably spend double the time doing marketing than writing. BUT, I happen to like the marketing side of things. However, it does mean I have to become very strict with me time so nothing gets left behind.

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?

I have to admit – I’m an avid knitter! I love it – I find it so relaxing. I can sit in front of the tv or listen to some music and just let my mind go (usually thinking of my characters) while I whip up a scarf. It’s summer where I live so I haven’t done much knitting lately, so I’m eagerly waiting until the cooler months set in so I can whip out my needles again!

BLURB:

Forced to marry Lord Aymon to ensure her young nephew’s survival, English Lady Laila vows undying hatred for the Norman she holds responsible for the deaths of so many innocents. Discovering Aymon has committed an act of treason gives her the chance to seek vengeance he deserves.  But can Laila let Aymon die at the hands of the king once she learns the truth?

A hardened Norman warrior, Lord Aymon has lived through atrocities no man ever should. With the invasion of England over, all he wants is a quiet life and a wife who will give him heirs and obey his every command. Instead, he finds himself wed to feisty and outspoken Laila. But when she learns the truth of his treasonous act, can Aymon count on her to keep his secret?

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Vengeance-Louise-Lyndon-ebook/dp/B00Q3NBQ56/

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/of-love-and-vengeance-louise-lyndon/1120929944

Publisher: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=242_176_138&products_id=5976

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Louise grew up in country Victoria, Australia, before moving to England, where for sixteen years she soaked up the vibrancy of London and the medieval history of England. She has since returned to Australia and now lives in Melbourne.

She has been writing the moment she picked up a copy of Diana Gabaldon's first Outlander novel twenty something years ago. She thought to herself, 'this is what I want to do' - not travel back in time, but become a novelist! She has always had snippets of dialogue and scenes floating around in her head with characters screaming at her to bring them to life.

In 2013, Louise won first prize in the Crested Butte Sandy Writing contest – Historical category for her story, The Promise, which is now called, Of Love and Vengeance.

When not writing, she can be found covered in mud, crawling under barbed wire and hoisting herself over twelve foot walls - under the guise of competing in Spartan races all over Australia.

AUTHOR LINKS:

EMAIL:  louise_lyndon@yahoo.com

Website:  http://www.LouiseLyndon.com

Blog: http://www.LouiseLyndon.com/blog

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Louise-Lyndon/1472910852955051

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LouiseLyndon1

Pinterest: llyndon3513

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/LouiseLyndon

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better the chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/11/nbtm-tour-of-love-and-vengeance-by.html

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Mother's Day wishes to all the Moms out there. 

And let's not forget the Moms of our furry friends. To us, they're all our children. Enjoy the day!

Interview with Ingrid Seymour, IGNITE THE SHADOWS

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?

IGNITE THE SHADOWS is a young adult Sci-Fi about a teen hacker who joins a clandestine organization to fight the sentient parasites that attacking Earth and eventually supplanting the human brain. This is the first book in a trilogy acquired by Harper Voyager

Do you have a favorite character?

Definitely, Marci. She is the protagonist of IGNITE THE SHADOWS. I like her decisiveness. She is independent and strong in spite of everything—even when she finds out the most terrifying truth about herself. No spoilers ;)

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?

Yes. Most definitely. My aim was to be a hybrid author so I would be able to enjoy the best of both worlds, and I’m happy to have achieved my goal. The IGNITE THE SHADOWS trilogy is published by Harper Collins, but I have other books out there for which I went indie.

How long before you got your offer of representation/your first contract? Was it for your first novel?

It took me 7 years to get a traditional contract, but I don’t think that is rare.  I had the offer from Harper Voyager which, in turn, helped me get an agent. The offer was for IGNITE THE SHADOWS which was the 4^th book I wrote.

What factors influenced your decision to go with a particular agent or publisher?

Harper Voyager publishes amazing sci-fi and fantasy. Names like George RR Martin, JRR Tolkien and Ray Bradbury. When I received the offer it was an easy decision.

Are you currently under a traditional publishing contract for future books or do you have manuscripts that you will self-publish? Are you doing both?

IGNITE THE SHADOWS has a traditional contract for 3 books in the series. I also have other manuscripts in the queue that I will self-publish. I just love being a hybrid author!

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?

For all my self-published, I have worked with the cover designer very closely. I immensely enjoy the process and love it when the artist makes my vision come true. So far, the cover for my YA urban fantasy, KEEPER, is my favorite.

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?

I have full-time job, so mostly I write during my lunch hour, doing sprints of one thousand words in one hour (#1k1h) . Since I’ve been doing that, I’ve pretty much learned to write anywhere, regardless of what’s going on around me. I’m glad that now I’m able to write in any environment. Music is always a nice bonus, especially when the song matches the mood of what I’m writing. I have a few playlists that to help with that :)

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?

I’m pretty much a pantser. I’ve tried to do outlines, but the truth is that I feel creatively dry when I do that. Nothing comes out.

What’s next for you?

Currently, I’m working on the sequel to IGNITE THE SHADOWS. After that, I will be focusing on writing the sequel to KEEPER, which I will self-publish. I have projects planned for this year and next. I love being busy!

Book & Author details:

Ignite The Shadows by Ingrid Seymour
(Ignite The Shadows #1)
Published by: HarperVoyager
Publication date: April 23rd 2015
Genres: Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Marci Guerrero is one of the best teen hackers in Seattle. However, she’d give up all her talents to know she isn’t crazy.

Marci feels possessed by what she perceives as shadowy spectres that take control of her body and make her do crazy things. While spying on the clandestine group known as IgNiTe, she’s confronted by the leader, James McCray. His presence stirs the spectres inside her brain into a maddening frenzy. Her symptoms and ability to control them don’t go unnoticed by James, who soon recruits her and shows her the awful truth.

Half of the world’s population is infected by sentient parasites. They bind themselves to the human brain and replace the pathways for all thoughts and actions. The creatures then morph their hosts into grotesque monsters with extraordinary strengths. Winged, clawed, fanged half-humans become living nightmares. Now Marci wishes she was crazy, because the truth is worse.

She’s infected.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24595250-ignite-the-shadows?ac=1

Purchase: 

--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OXHFR4K/ref=twoen-20

--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ignite-the-shadows-ingrid-seymour/1120641100

AUTHOR BIO:

Ingrid Seymour is the author of IGNITE THE SHADOWS (Harper Voyager, April 23rd, 2015). When she’s not writing books, she spends her time working as a software engineer, cooking exotic recipes, hanging out with her family and working out. She writes young adult and new adult fiction in a variety of genres, including Sci-Fi, urban fantasy, romance, paranormal and horror.

Her favorite outings involve a trip to the library or bookstore where she immediately gravitates toward the YA section. She’s an avid reader and fangirl of many amazing books. She is a dreamer and a fighter who believes perseverance and hard work can make dreams come true.

She lives in Birmingham, AL with her husband, two kids and a cat named Mimi.

Author links:

http://ingridseymour.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4052093.Ingrid_Seymour

https://www.facebook.com/IngridSeymourAuthor

https://twitter.com/ingrid_seymour  

Giveaway:

Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)

• IGNITE THE SHADOWS ebook + $25 Amazon Gift Card 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Medical Emergency

Miss Klutz here.

yesterday i was walking through the buildings to my office and i tripped on a steel transition piece between the tiles. now do you think i could just stumble like a normal person? of course not! i went sailing through the air and first landed on my knee, bounced and slammed full force on my right shoulder. as i'm splayed out on the floor, i was praying no one saw that but on the other hand was hoping someone could help me up.

long story short i broke my shoulder. ouch plus a few other choice words. i'm in a sling until i can go to ortho next week. swelling is too much to do anything else. ‪#‎sigh‬ 

typing with my left hand is not very good. if i promised you a post in the next few weeks, i probably won't get to it. sorry about that.

#Excerpt: FOOLS RUSH by Clara Knight

Excerpt:

He cleared his throat and took on a stern tone. “Listen, I don’t mean to sour your taste for marriage. All I’m saying is, don’t make the same mistakes I did. You’ve been a hard worker and you’re probably the first person I’ve trusted besides Charlie, Henry, and his wife in a long time. Forget the gold, come work on my ranch. You can live in the main house and cook. I’ll treat you like a son.”

“No.” Her breath hitched. Lying in this wagon for one night was enough to melt a girl’s resolve. Besides, she wouldn’t be able to keep up this deception much longer. “I’m off to make my own fortune.”

“I won’t hurt you. It’s obvious your pa was a drunk and used a switch often, but I would never.”

Bethany’s head swarmed with images of a happy home, of confessing the truth and falling into his arms this night.

“What is it? You can tell me anything. I promise. I’ll never hurt you. Trust me.” His words clutched her heart and squeezed tight.

“You can’t make that promise,” Bethany said while trying to keep her wits. Everything rested on her making it to the gold and striking it rich. Not ending up in the arms of some man who had already proven he’d turn to the bottle when things got tough.

“Bart, I can. We’ve both been through plenty. Perhaps it’s time for us to trust someone.”

“No. The minute you see that girl again you’ll lose your head. You’ve already turned to the bottle. I’m going to find gold and start my life on my terms.” Bethany turned to face away from him. “Go to sleep. I’m not talking about this anymore.”

She concentrated on steadying her breath and not thinking about the handsome man at her side in the darkness. He only spoke words. The first time things got tough he’d turn to a switch or his hand. That’s what all men did once they owned a woman.

Surely not every man. The tingling in her stomach urged her to take a chance, to wrap her arms around him and confess who she really was. Why did this man cause her body to feel these things when no other man had in the past? She wanted to escape into the cold rain to cool her burning skin and rid it of all this desire, but she had to remain in the wagon by Thomas’ side all night. A long and torturous night

Book & Author Details:

Fools Rush by Ciara Knight
Publication date: April 15th 2015
Genres: Adult, Historical

Synopsis:

To avert an impending life of servitude, Bethany Cook seeks freedom on a wagon train bound for gold country. Disguised as a young boy she secures work as a travel companion with Thomas Nolan, a rich New Yorker who is on his own quest to distance himself from the nightmare of a fraudulent marriage.

A cross-country journey by Thomas’ side proves more difficult than Bethany anticipated when he becomes obsessed with her true identity—the golden haired beauty he shared one night of passion with. Bethany attempts to confess the truth, but a bounty hunter exposes her as a devious woman that lied to Thomas for months for her own evil gain. Her life and her heart now rest in the hands of Thomas, who must decide if he can forgive and marry her or leave her to the fate she’s brought upon herself.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25078497-fools-rush

Purchase:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fools-Rush-Prospectors-Novel-Book-ebook/dp/B00UA3YFQM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1428587587&sr=1-1&keywords=Fools+Rush+by+Ciara+Knight

AUTHOR BIO:

Ciara Knight writes to 'Defy the Dark' with her young adult speculative fiction and sweet romance books. Her most recent international best-seller, Pendulum, scored 4 stars from RT Book Reviews, accolades from InD’Tale Magazine and Night Owl Top Pick. Her young adult paranormal series, Battle for Souls, received 5 stars from Paranormal Romance Guild and Night Owl’s Top Pick, among other praises.

When not writing, she enjoys reading all types of fiction. Some great literary influences in her life include Edgar Allen Poe, Shakespeare, Francine Rivers and J K Rowling.

Her first love, besides her family, reading, and writing, is travel. She's backpacked through Europe, visited orphanages in China, and landed in a helicopter on a glacier in Alaska.

Ciara is extremely sociable and can be found at Facebook @ciaraknightwrites, Twitter @ciaratknight, Goodreads, Pinterest, and her website ciaraknight.com.

Author links:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5127753.Ciara_Knight

http://www.ciaraknight.com/

https://twitter.com/ciaratknight

https://www.facebook.com/Ciaraknightwrites

NEW #Romance Collection: LOVERS' LANE: SUMMER BRIDES COLLECTION

Lovers' Lane Press presents all NEW short stories of love and sweet romance.

New release price is ONLY .99.

Lovers' Lane Press presents all NEW short stories of love and sweet romance in Lovers' Lane: Summer Brides Collection. 

New release price is ONLY .99.

- See more at: http://twoendsofthepen.blogspot.com/p/romance-titles.html#sthash.TxlNiCM1.dpuf

Amazon buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Lovers-Lane-Summer-Brides-Collection-ebook/dp/B00VO86M8G/ref=twoen-20

ITunes buy link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/lovers-lane-summer-brides/id982831330?mt=11 

BN buy link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lovers-lane-sandra-edwards/1121687380

Lovers’ Lane Romance Presents SIX ALL NEW love stories where romantic dreams do come true!

Maybe baby by Sandra Edwards
Escape to paradise this summer...
All Amanda Wainwright wants is a little romance—from the right man. When she starts receiving candy and flowers anonymously, she dares to hope for a love connection.
Will her secret admirer turn out to be Mr. Right, or will he end up being Mr. Wrong? Find out in this modern-day, romantic fairytale from New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Sandra Edwards.

A ROMANCE TO REMEMBER by Sandra Edwards
Return to paradise this summer...
RosaLee’s fondest wish is to return to the place where she fell in love for the first time—fifty years ago. With her granddaughter, Rose, in tow, RosaLee is dismayed to find that things have changed on the island of Oahu. Now there’s a swanky resort along the once-deserted beach where she and Nick used to rendezvous.
At Sapphire Bay, Rose finds new love while RosaLee comes face-to-face with her past in this magical tale about first love and new beginnings from NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Sandra Edwards.

AN UNEXPECTED LOVE by Debra Elizabeth
Dianna Regent thought she was living a charmed life with her boyfriend of seven years. That is, until he walked out of her life without a backward glance. Nursing her wounds, she goes on vacation to St. Thomas, hoping to heal her broken heart.
Ian Waters has never been in love. When a favor for a friend takes him to St. Thomas, the last thing he thinks about is finding the woman of his dreams. Can these two fragile souls come together to find their own happily ever after?

WAITING FOR LOVE by Debra Elizabeth
Shelley Morrison loves her life as a single working woman, but has no one to share it with. She left her heart back in high school—with the captain of the football team.
Scott Harris was living the dream as an NFL player until an injury ended his career. A chance meeting with Shelly—a girl from high school who'd never bought into the hero worship thing—may be just what he needs, but can she accept the man he is today?

LOVE AGAIN by Regina Duke
When Ardis Bowman’s best friend wins a week at a dude ranch and invites her to come along, the last person she expects to run into is Jeff Hart, the reason she left Colorado in the first place. Does their rekindled love stand a chance this time? Find out in this Colorado Billionaires story by USA Today Bestselling Author Regina Duke.

TWICE THE JOY by Regina Duke
Erin Alberta is living a childhood dream on her dude ranch vacation, but she can’t stop worrying about finding a job. Now her best friend wants her to find a man, too! The pressure is getting to her. Handsome but shy photographer, Austin Masters, spends every moment trying to make an impression on Erin. Will she ever notice him? And will the best friends fulfill their promise to each other? Don’t miss the fun in this Colorado Billionaires story by USA Today Bestselling Author Regina Duke.

2 Romance Beach Bundles from USA Best-Selling Author: DONNA FASANO

Romance Beach Bundle 1 Blurb:

From USA Today Bestselling Author Donna Fasano

Is there anything better than lounging on a sunny beach under a colorful umbrella, soaking up the sunshine and the salty sea breeze as you indulge in your favorite pastime--reading a romance novel? In the Romance Beach Bundle 1, USA Today Bestselling author Donna Fasano brings you three romantic books that are sure to warm your heart and put a smile on your face.

Nanny And The Professor -
Professor Joshua Kingston thought he'd found the perfect nanny for his son. But once Cassie Simmons stepped into his life, she turned it upside down! His son no longer played by the rules - and Cassie kept making up new ones. He would fire her - if he didn't find her so utterly enticing.

Cassie had a huge secret to hide, and she couldn't afford to lose her new job. But her handsome employer wasn't making things easy. All those silly rules. How was an eight-year-old boy supposed to have any fun? The professor definitely needed a lesson in laughter - and love!

Taking Love in Stride -
Track coach Andrea O'Connor is fuming at the audacity of Ian Powers, the very attractive father of one of her students. He offers to buy school equipment only if Andrea agrees to train him for a half-marathon.

Well, train him, she will. And not just in running. As a widower with a high-powered job, Ian needs some instruction in being a father to an active teenage daughter. Yet as this overbearing man opens up, Andrea finds herself learning lessons--in loving.

Ian knows that Andrea, with her assertive attitude and her penchant for stilettos, is some woman! But her vulnerable heart is on the run, so he'll have to prove that his love, unlike his running, has limitless endurance--and once he catches this swift beauty, he'll never let her go.

Mountain Laurel -
So what if Laurel Morgan hadn't had a date since the senior prom? If all it would take to convince her teenage sister to consider college was to go on a few dates and have some fun, it was a bet she could beat. And before she could change her mind, sexy forest ranger Michael Walker agreed to play the part of her ardent admirer!

Laurel never expected Michael's acting abilities to be quite so convincing. Whenever her sister was watching, Laurel found herself wrapped in a heady embrace with a passionate kiss on the way. Her captivating cohort promised a performance that would win her the wager, but when the curtain closed, would she lose the only man she would ever love?

Kindle US: http://amzn.to/1H1xGU4

Kindle UK: http://amzn.to/1InxHTY

Nook: http://bit.ly/1DZl8M6

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1GHCU6W

iBook: http://apple.co/1InwvQk

Romance Beach Bundle 2 Blurb:

What’s better than a day at the beach? That would be a day at the beach with a bundle of romance novels! In the Romance Beach Bundle 2, USA Today Bestselling Author Donna Fasano brings you three romantic books that are sure to warm your heart and put a smile on your face.

The titles included in this boxed set of romance books are:

Return of the Runaway Bride
Once upon a time... there lived a lovely young woman named Savanna who was engaged to Daniel, a handsome law student. Theirs was to be a fairy-tale wedding. But Savanna's second thoughts were too big to be ignored, so the would-be bride ran away.

As the years passed... Daniel's heart turned to ice. It was this unfeeling man that Savanna faced upon her return. The love of her youth is now a stranger. Can Savanna ever make Daniel understand why she abandoned him? And will she convince the man of her dreams he will always be her Prince Charming?

Take Me, I’m Yours
Sexy single dad Derek Mitchell has learned the hard way to never trust a beautiful woman. So although he would always be indebted to Lainey Adams for thwarting a kidnapping attempt on his beloved daughter, he isn't about to show his gratitude by offering his heart on a silver platter!

But what's the brooding bachelor to do when his matchmaking millionaire father rewards Lainey's heroism—by giving her a share of the family fortune? Despite Derek's love phobia, something about the beguiling Lainey touches his soul, filling him with hope...and desire. Yet he senses that she is keeping secrets—the kind that could shatter his world.

The Single Daddy Club: Derrick
The Single Dad: Ex-military man Derrick Richmond. Solitary and satisfied…until little Timmy was dropped into his lap and Derrick had to learn to be somebody's daddy.

The Single Woman: Schoolteacher Anna Maxwell. Fate might have denied her a family of her own, but Anna still had plenty of love to give, if only someone would notice.

The Solution: Anna would teach Derrick all he needed to know about kids. Father and son would give Anna some precious memories. Then the schoolteacher and the single dad would go their separate ways. Unless one little boy figured out a way to make Miss Maxwell become his mom!

Kindle US: http://amzn.to/1uQVmTT

Kindle UK: http://amzn.to/1qTCGUe

Nook: http://ow.ly/BIpkx

Kobo: http://ow.ly/BIppn

iBook: http://apple.co/1CQDL2w

Author bio:

USA Today Bestselling Author Donna Fasano is an award-winning author whose books have sold 4 million copies worldwide. She is a three-time winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion and her titles have been named Best Romance of the Year for 2013 and 2014 by BooksAndPals.com book review blog.

Interview with R.J. Merle, SAVAGE WINDS

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?

Savage Winds (Children of the Elements, A Secret City Science Fiction Adventure Series, Book 1)

A dangerous conspiracy unfolds...

In Author R.J. Merle’s whirlwind start of the Children of the Elements series, a clumsy teenage techno-geek struggles to protect kidnapped children from a covert government organization responsible for creating their abilities to control the five elements.

A mighty wind…

Eighteen-year-old Stedford Thackett’s conspiracy theorist brother ensnares him in a real life children-as-weapons plot, while a determined scientist grooms happy-go-lucky five-year-old Darcie Lynn Carpenter to use the wind as a deadly weapon.

Out of control...

Despite the firm hand of Scientist Nora Hicks, Stedford struggles to rescue the kids and escape, even as Darcie Lynn fights to gain control of the surging power of the savage winds.

CHILDREN OF THE ELEMENTS SERIES

The Children of the Elements are brought together and tested as weapons of mass destruction. Their struggle to free themselves and survive in the hostile East Tennessee Mountains creates massive chaos and threatens to bring about an apocalypse.

When nature, put into the hands of children that rule wind, earth, fire, water, and the void, refuses to be controlled, can mankind endure?

Five full novels, one huge story.

Savage Winds (Book 1)

Dire Rumblings (Book 2)

Raging Inferno (Book 3

Unrelenting Tide (Book 4)

Merciless Void (Book 5)

Do you have a favorite character?
Stedford Thackett, an eighteen-year-old techno-geek, is clumsy, socially awkward, and an unwitting advocate to free the children from their kidnappers. Harboring a love for burgers, pizza, and crunchy cheese snacks, he tries to save his brother and the children while struggling to survive. 

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?

Scientist Nora Hicks, an unwilling subject and accomplice to the Top Secret Project, started out as a minor character. Initially, I intended to feature only Stedford’s and the child of the particular element spotlighted by the book points of view, but Nora insisted on taking a leading role.

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?

I did initially pursue a traditional route and even received some top-agent interest, but chose to form Towering Pines Publishing and branch out on my own.

How long before you got your offer of representation/your first contract? Was it for your first novel?

The year that I finished my first novel; however, I chose another path.

What factors influenced your decision to go with a particular agent or publisher?

Towering Pines Publishing is my answer to branching into publishing.

Are you currently under a traditional publishing contract for future books or do you have manuscripts that you will self-publish? Are you doing both?

In the future, I would consider targeting a particular trilogy to traditional publishing and branching into the hybrid world of publishing, depending on the wording of the potential contract, to improve discoverability.

What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?

I couldn’t fathom signing my rights away for a lifetime plus 70 years and getting paid pennies on the dollar when I could build self-supporting career by focusing on long-term goals.

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?

Direct feedback and several choices led to a depiction of the elements on each cover, such as a tornado for Savage Winds.

Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?

I have been involved in critique groups in the past, but I much more appreciate one-on-one feedback of a writing coach or mentor, which has improved my writing skills and technique greatly.

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?

For the music I listen to, I tend to prefer the sounds of rainstorms and ocean waves. I write in 15-minute increments with stretch breaks in between.

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?

I tend to jot down major plot points and jot down what might happen in the next scene. All plotting and planning is fluid; therefore, I adjust as I go along.

What’s next for you?
Currently, I have two YA books in progress with releases scheduled for this spring.

One is the first in an Elven Quest Trilogy featuring teens that go from a teen outdoor survival boot camp to a realm with elves, trolls, and dragons.

The other features teens auditioning for lead roles in a ghost-busting TV reality show and their haunting adventures.

Savage Winds and the rest of the Children of the Elements series is available at Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple, Page Foundry, Baker & Taylor, txtr, Overdrive, Flipkart, Oyster, Scribd, etc.

Buy Links:

NOTE: Savage Winds has been discounted to $.99 for the tour.

http://www.amazon.com/Children-Elements-Science-Fiction-Adventure-ebook/dp/B00P89UM5G/ref=twoen-20

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/savage-winds-r-j-merle/1120920193?ean=2940046560206

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/516527

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/savage-winds-children-of-the-elements-a-secret-city-science-fiction-adventure-series-book-1

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Author R.J. Merle stepped out of the realm of Top-Secret documents (shh, don’t tell…) to write sci-fi and paranormal fiction.

R.J. survived and escaped both the entertainment field and the government-contracting environment, craves the Walking Dead, and entertains what-if tidbits about “supposed” technological and biological advances.

No stranger to the goings on in the city of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, R.J. Merle blends a down-home flavor with a former in-the-know—hypothetically, of course—technical background to craft the twists and intrigue of Secret City Adventures.

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/R.J.-Merle/e/B00P8E0X5A

BN Author Page:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/r.j.-merle

Website: http://www.rjmerle.com/COTE.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/RJ-Merle-Author/1409155235976147

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10944948.R_J_Merle

Blog: http://rjmerle.blogspot.com/

Follow the tour, the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.
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