Thankful

I've been writing things with no intention of sharing them with the world for over 25 years. I have shelveSSSS of things only I am allowed to read. Doesn't feel like a long time because 25 years goes by fast when you're lost in other worlds, blowing up stuff, and saving the future. Taking that step from being a writer in the safety of my own world, and finally sharing a few stories with the rest of the world was terrifying on so many levels.

Yet I did.

I apparently traumatized, shocked, yet captivated a few.

Regardless, I felt the support of my writing family, my family, and my friends, as they assured me it was okay to be weird and quite frankly, I've always been weird. I was going for magical, but I guess the two are relatives so I might find myself there soon.

Publishing Speculative Fiction is also a big leap to take when everyone is used to reading your news reports and government grants. Thanks to all the support this past year and the encouragement over the years I actually did it. And in the moment it didn't feel like a big step, just the scary next one. Perhaps I was ready after all.

Still, I can't even begin to express my appreciation for the incredible reviews, support, publishers, editors, designers, and friendships I've made in this journey. So much goes into making a book but preparing it for the world is a different story. (all puns intended)

And I know I would have never done it without my husband's blind belief in me and the motivation he endlessly provides. Or my kids just being so awesome about it (it being me writing, all the time). I have the coolest family. And yes, I am bragging because they are worth bragging about.

So much time, energy, and passion goes into everything we write, so my gratitude is especially deep to all the artists out there who inspire me, because musicians, painters, sculptures, cover artists, writers... all of them have a dedication I aspire to live up to.

This is a journey like no other I've embarked on and I have no idea where it will take me or how long it will last, but it's very interesting and I'm so thankful I found the courage to finally do it. And I'm thankful for every choice I made from publishers to critique partners because each one helped me better my craft. I look at it as a learning experience, and I hope I always will.

What are you thankful for this year?

A Peek Into Your Life-- Steve Harrison

A peek into your life, is a segment spotlighting authors, specialists, and friends who brave my countless questions day in and day out. It's the best way I can share with you all, the many people who taught me the bizarre things I know, who satisfy my thirst for knowledge and adventure, and who keep me motivated.

Steve is the author of TimeStorm. I was lucky enough to met him via social media and of course, I noticed his catchy cover on the Elsewhen Press site. I was looking for something a little different and hadn't read a time travel in awhile, so I thought I'd check it out. In a nutshell, Steve's book blew my mind. 

TimeStorm is an enthralling read full of interesting characters who push the story to places not many of us dare go. These characters live an exciting adventure where a storm at sea tosses them into a new time. The ship’s cargo of convicts breaks free causing havoc in a new world that each one reacts to differently.

It had me chuckling as these tough men found themselves lost in a world they didn't understand with women doing things they couldn't wrap their minds around. Yet this is a story of a cold brutal world offset with hope, as kind people offered their help, and a romance blossoms. A  few selfish people  sought to gain from their misfortune, but through it shined a bravery and a truth (time is a storm we can’t escape) that kept my heart racing to the very last page.

Each character brought a picture to life for me. It is so well written, at one point I was actually cheering for the bad guy (much to my horror). Somehow, in the storyline, which had me hooked, one hero emerges that catches my attention as someone... how does Karen say it? Dangerous yet in control. yeah. I enjoyed Blaney's chapters as much as the chapters that share his story through different eyes.

I loved each twist and marveled at how well it was put together. Then, when I was lost at sea wondering how he was going to pull it together, everything wrapped up nicely and left me smiling at the beauty of a masterpiece. 

How the heck did he juggle each pov so well? I can't even imagine his storyboard.

Well, enough about my thoughts on the book, let's meet the author and see if we can find out how magic works.

I enjoyed the different snapshots of each character and how they each saw the world so differently. How did you come up with so many well-written characters and unique voices? 

TimeStorm, from the moment it took shape, played in my head like a movie. I could ‘see’ the story unfold. I adapted that vision to the novel and the characters are like cameras recording the action. I cut rapidly from one to the other and each of them ‘records’ the action through the prism of their own character, hopefully giving even the minor characters an additional layer of depth.

With so many great voices, who was your favourite character to write and why? 

Undoubtedly, Rufus Redmond, the convict leader. He is one of those people who can’t let go of a grievance, even if makes things much worse for them. Deep down, I don’t believe he is a bad man, despite the things he does, and he has good reason to feel extremely angry. On the surface he is a very basic character, but he is motivated by very deep and confusing emotions. I felt equal degrees of sympathy and frustration with him. My goal was for the reader to feel for him and, indeed, all of the convicts, while also being repulsed by their actions.

(I must say, I was rooting for him at one point! It was so easy to get caught up in his mission, I did have to keep reminding myself that he was the bad guy! then again, maybe he isn't all bad, just... wrongfully-emotional??)

What song reminds you of this story?

The one song that has resonated over the years and immediately fills my head with TimeStorm every time I hear it is, Ship of Fools by World Party.

What are you currently working on?

The first of a proposed YA comedy science fiction novels about two 15 years old girls, one from Earth and the other an alien. It’s a lot of fun, but slow going as I create an entire universe!

Where do you do your best writing?

I have an attic office where I can lock myself away and spend many hours procrastinating and a small amount of time writing! It’s a nice relaxing space where I have posters and photos all over the walls to inspire me.

Do you have any novels you shelved?

I do have one shelved novel – actually I only have a few pages – which will be written one day. It’s a religious thriller set mainly in the Vatican and spans some 40 years. I have been very excited about this story for many years, but I need a few months in Rome for research, so I consider it my retirement project.

Do you over-write or under-write?

I under-write, because when I edit, my manuscript usually becomes longer. For instance, I just wrote a chapter filled with exposition and information, which in its present form would send people to sleep, but I had to get it out of my head. When I rewrite the section I will add action and dialogue and (try to) disguise the information, so that the chapter is longer, but reads shorter.

What are you most proud of?

In a writing sense, getting TimeStorm published. It was a labour of love for some 25 years and I never doubted it would be published one day (possibly posthumously!). I stuck with it and after many rewrites over the years, Elsewhen Press came along and fulfilled my dream. I look back and I’m proud of both my persistence and conviction.

Where is your favourite place to read?

Strangely enough, at work. At lunchtime I retreat to the canteen and read solidly for half an hour. It’s a wonderfully meditative way to break up the day.

What do you do for a living?

I work for the Australian postal service in a department titled, Operational Interface. If anyone knows what that means, please tell me. The job is a troubleshooting role and we go in and fix tricky problems affecting the performance of the business. I think I perform a similar function when writing fiction…

Thanks so much for the peek into your life, Steve. It was great fun having you over for a visit. While I have this most creative artist in my world, feel free to ask him questions, and stop by his blog. Be sure to check out TimeStorm.

Books that Move Us

Twice now, a reader told me that they cried while reading Ghosts on the Prairies. Oddly enough it was a different character that triggered each one and a different plot point each time.

Amazon.com

Got me thinking about the last book that moved me to tears. I know I mentioned it once before but I was at the dentist reading Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis and it moved me to tears twice! Once it was tears from laughing (see post here) so blasted hard and the other it was tears of pure joy at the way they greeted the freed slaves.

What made me cry? Well, trying not to laugh in public does that to me, and this kid was fun to read. And of course the tears of joy were from the idea of the freed slaves being so overjoyed-- which I find very emotional to begin with. But overall it was the voice. The way this kid captures the moment... magic!

It is a powerfully written, moving story that had me captivated by a fun voice like no other. I dare you to read it and let me know if it gotcha!

So, what has moved you to tears? Is it characters, voice, or plot that getcha teary?

Laughing in Public- fou rire

So I was reading a book at the dentist office while waiting. The dentist office is a… not so funny place. Everyone looks nervous and anxious, but here I was reading and well… it was funny.

Not done it yet, but enjoying it so far...
I guess it's my type of humour

I tried to muffle a laugh, but dang it, it was FUNNY!

And my quiet throat-giggle turned into a snort. Which is always funn--ier.

So there I was giggling like a nut. I glanced up. Everyone was trying not to look at me, but when someone snort-laughs all to themselves at the dentist office, it’s grounds for a few smirks. So everyone had this little grin they couldn’t really hide while they avoided making eye contact with anyone.

I had this urge to read them the page that made me laugh so they’d know I was not as crazy as I was coming off, but I did that before and no one else thought it was funny, so then I really did look crazy and even got that eye-roll thing that makes me want to run.

Looking at the cover of the book, well it looks serious so they probably thought I was a bit of a weirdo. I had no idea it was going to be so funny, but this kid. *shakes head and wipes laughing tears that materialize* Anyway,  I was tempted to tell these strangers it was a good book, but they were trying so hard NOT to look at me I decided to just sit there and giggle to myself. But it's hard to do this properly and without drawing attention to yourself. At one point my entire body was shaking with the laughter which of course was funny and you see how this was not cool.

In French we call it fou rire and I never found an expression similar in English, but this is the perfect example, just laughter that explodes from inside you at the worst time or place that you can't get a handle on. 

So, I finally collected myself and dived back into the book. Well… it got more funny… so there I was, right out laughing to myself, not caring where I was. I mean, let's face it, by now I was already on the nutso list, I might as well just go with it.

No one else laughed, just stared ahead pretending I wasn't nuts. I know right?

What do you do when you’re in public and can’t stop laughing? This ever happen to you? Do you ignore strangers laughing or get in on the joke? Where is the weirdest place you ever caught the fou rire?

Captain Underpants Changed my Life. You got a Problem with That?

Here's the challenge set to me by Teresa at Dreamers, lovers, and Star Voyagers ; I must pick my FIVE favourite reads and ask 5 friends to do so also.

As if right? I'll never do it. I know that before I begin. I always avoid this question. But! This was a challenge and I like to prove that I can do anything if I try really hard. So I scribbled down a list. Around twenty-five titles I just knew it was impossible. I would never cut this list back. In fact, I kept adding to it throughout the day. So then I thought, maybe I could do this by genre and pick my faves by genre. Still impossible, I like too many genres. And the reasons I like a certain historical are very different than the reasons I like a certain sci-fi. 

By author? Too many. Even picking one author I really like, I couldn't bring it down to five. There is a lot of good writing out there. I even tried by era. Not at all helpful, in fact it added to my list since I'd forgotten lots.

So then I asked myself, well, WHY do I like this book and want it in my pile? The whys were a little different and 5 jumped out at me.

So. Here it is. The 5 books that changed my life and my writing (both) in some way so significant that I just have to share them with you. 
 

THE FIRST BOOK THAT MADE ME WANT TO TELL STORIES:
The Haunting of Hill House By Shirley Jackson

I was probably in grade 7 when my wonderful English teacher pulled this one off the shelf of meager selection for me to try. (SHOUT OUT TO ALL THOSE WONDERFUL LANGUAGE TEACHERS.) I was already an avid reader and enjoyed a variety of books but this one hooked me in a very different way. I remember looking at storytelling with new eyes.

I keep thinking I should reread it now that I'm slightly older, but I'm scared to. What if it doesn't affect me the same way it did over twenty years ago? I'd hate to ruin the magic. I mean, when I put this book down my only thought was that one day, I'd be a storyteller, too.


AND WRITE THEM WELL:

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print by Renni Browne, Dave King

This book is one of many that gave me the confidence I needed to turn my quantity into quality. I chose this one because I found it pulled me from my closet and made me think, "I can."

This is my motivation. It is written in easy to follow English. It is fun to read. It works. And it means I can story tell in a way that doesn't make my wonderful English teacher cringe.

YET SAY THINGS MY WAY:

Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn

There were actually LOTS of books that fit this slot. But I picked this one out of the bunch cause it is a shining example of the type of storyteller I want to be. It makes writing look easy. It breaks the rules. It had me so invested I was furious, breathless, frustrated, happy AND THEN.... it left me satisfied.

I don't actually remember putting it down until it was done which is what made me select it over a few others that I consider the best rule breaking fiction out there. It made me think, "Why am I following the rules? Just... tell the story the way it needs to be told."


WITH CHARACTERS WE RELATE TO:
You Can't Lie to Me by Janine Driver
This one changed how I write. It changed how people talk to me. It changed the way I look at people around me. (potential characters... um right?) I don't always like what I see or learn, but the truth hurts and this is a new element that I brought into my writing that adds flavour and nasty evilness. 

Anyone who was in my life while I read this book must have found me annoying, cause it was all I talked about. I use it all the time. I use it in my writing, in my business, in my life, with my kids. To start conversations... and to end them.
  


AND THAT CHANGE LIVES:
 Captain Underpants- the entire collection by Dav Pilkey 

Is there a child in you life? Heck with the age, the gender, just grab a copy of any of the Captain Underpants and snuggle up to read for a few minutes...

Magic will happen.

I was shocked. I still am. These books changed everything. They reminded me that the audience is the boss who every storyteller must please. WHO do we write for? Now I look at each word I write and ask myself if this is the right word for my target audience. Is it the magical one that will make them giggle, cry, cringe, keep reading. 

 But... it did so much more.
 
It added laughter in my life. Two giggling kids rolling off the bed means we will read this again and again. So far, we read the entire series twice. A book takes us two to three nights to devour. Next time they get to read it to me. We have voices that I can't get wrong. My oldest one quite often added in her two cents, reminding me that she is young enough to enjoy a goofy book, but old enough to know I should have used a much more boring tone when reading that Blah blah blah part. Come on, Mom! 

It brought us together as a family. It got my son to pick up other books in hopes they are THAT good. It got my daughter reading a series she likes to her brother. It made me take a look at what works in a book. It might be a silly book, but it changed my life, my writing, and left a wonderful scar on my children.

So now I'm supposed to pick 5 who I challenge to share 5 of their faves with us.Since I know how hard this is, I'm not going to point the finger. I challenge everyone. Dare you to try and find books that are your favourite and tell us why. Link back to me so I can read your list. Can't wait to see who wins this challenge.

Everyone else, who just isn't up for the challenge, well, what book changed your life and why?    

A Peek Into Your Life- Samantha Sotto

A peek into your life, is a segment spotlighting authors, specialists, and friends who brave my countless questions day in and day out. It's the best way I can share with you all, the many people who taught me the bizarre things I know, who satisfy my thirst for knowledge and adventure, and who keep me motivated.

Actually, Samantha stumbled on my blog before she was all famous and she left a real impact on my writing. Here's why-- I was at that time searching magazines and history books looking for a picture to inspire me. anything. I was stuck. And then......... hey! Samantha shows up and got me out of a funk and back writing about a goddess who whispers to water. lol! The character she inspired has evolved a little since then, but, still. There's a peek into my life for ya! ;)

Regardless, as her book promises, life tends to have magical moments like that, and one can't escape them but should really take advantage of them.

Samantha runs her own fun blog, HERE. She always has a great assortment of photos to go with her adventures that make me chuckle.

When her book came out, I ORDERED IT the day it was released because I loved the idea. Here's my review:

Having to continue to breathe after her husband dies is almost impossible, yet somehow, Shelly does. One little gasp at a time, until those breaths open the door and standing there is her husband. Well, not really, just a man his age who looks too much like him. This stranger claims to be her husband’s grandson. How could he have a grandson the same age as him? As she journeys to find the truth, she discovers that her answers are in the magical stories he’s shared.

Intriguing enough, yet it’s the characters that had me hooked. Shelly is too much like me and her husband is the person I thrive to be. He knows the secret to life, and he enjoys it with every breath he earned. Fantastic story that left me guessing right to the last word and gave me this weird craving for eggs with a couple drops of...

Anyway, this is one I recommend to everyone. You’ll find a touch of yourself in these pages and a touch of who you want to be. 

Magical tale that begins at the end, after a slight detour.

I laughed, I cried, I sat tense, and I never wanted someone to find a moment of happiness so desperately. Honestly, the title didn't make sense to me until the last word. And then I went, "oh. gee. cool. Let's do that again!"

Cool idea right? Was this woman's husband immortal? Why would he leave her if they loved each other so much? I just had to find out.

I never read it until my holidays because I've been so busy editing my own little pieces. I'm sorry I waited so long. I've been complaining for weeks that I can't find a decent book to drown myself in, and here I had it by my bed all this time. INCREDIBLE. This book is everything I love; magical, daring, breaks the rules, and brought up my cholesterol just reading it.

But I'm blabbering when I know you just all want to peek into her life. But! Let me say that if there is one book to read this year, this it. I loved it. It took me away on the best adventure I've ever had and gave me this huge appreciation for life and for those little moments with my loved ones.

Without further ramblings, let me introduce my guest, Samantha Sotto and let you peek into her life. 

So Samantha, what are you currently working on?

I'm busy wrestling, er, writing my new book. It has me in a headlock.

I have to admit, I'm a little excited to know more magic is on the way. In your debut novel, I was sold at the idea of her husband being dead but his grandson showing up at her door the same age as him. It really had me curious, so curious I had to read it.  
Where did the idea come from?

I wish I had a clever story about how I got the idea for the book. Max's story literally just popped into my head while I was stuck in traffic. Can I squeeze in a couple of chain-smoking leprechauns to make my answer more interesting?

Actually, the stuck in traffic idea beats how I got one of my ideas (staring up my dentist's nose), so go with that. 

This story held some great messages. It's these messages that make me recommend your book to every soul I meet. As if they might find answers in your magic. 

Live and love in the now really stuck with me, but as the writer, what was one of the messages you wanted to pass on? Did you feel this message emerge on its on or did you plan it?

I started out writing a comedy but Max and the gang had other ideas. Full credit for all the life lessons in the book goes to them. I just wrote them down.

Ah magic like that could be what makes it so great to me. I'm tired of reading plots I know the answer to, or that the love feels fixed. Ah love. Yes, the other reason I was entranced by your book was the incredible love story. There is never a doubt in my mind that they belong together in the ever after, even through all the conflict and trials they face. 

The best scene for me to read was the chicken soup one. I felt Max's desperation, his eternal struggle. I could feel how he really wanted to grow old. And this warmed me inside and made me want his love for Shelley to work even more. Yet it gave me a sense of sadness for him, because he was essentially doomed. It was so powerful.

Having said all that, what was your favorite scene to write and why?

The entire flashback in Herculaneum was my favorite because it had been living in my head for a very long time. It felt great to finally get it down on paper. It was like giving birth - without needing an epidural.

 
I hear ya. I can only let scenes like that build up for so long and then they explode onto the world.

So, what did you learn about life while writing this book that you'd like to pass on to others?
The biggest lesson I learned in the book is summed up in the dedication I wrote for my children:

While you may only see one name on the cover of this book, this is a gift from Mom and Dad to both of you - so that you will always believe that you can hold your dreams in your hands.

Yes. I love that message. It's the one my dad tried so hard to drill into me. Plus, I love how you throw in the part about it taking a team to make this dream real. I might not have a book to hold yet, but I'm living that dream, and it's magical just the same.

Well, enough about writing, tell us seven random things that prove how awesome you really are.
Seven random things that will either make me look cool or very, very strange:
1. I got engaged after jumping out of an airplane.
2. I can do a sideways belly roll.
3. When I grow up, I want to be Neil Gaiman.
4. Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham is my favorite book.
5. If I could surf EVERY.SINGLE.DAY, I would.
6. One of my most treasured possessions is a numbered Doctor Who Tardis bobble head.
7. I'm taking my kids to the different European settings in the book at the end of the month. It will be a family friendly version of "The Slight Detour."

Hahahaha. Water goddess indeed! Maybe you'll take me surfing one day since that is a dream of mine, and well, here in Saskatchewan we really don't have oceans to practice on. Actually, I've only ever seen the ocean twice, and both times I stood there in awe, unable to walk in, forget surf it. It's so powerful, so enormous, the idea of surfing it is like a challenge that screams to me.

Thank you so much for stopping by and be sure to enjoy that surf for me between wrestling sessions.

How about y'all? Any questions for Samantha? Any comments on her book? Honestly, if you haven't read it, don't miss out, I'm still dreaming out it.

So you Think you Can Handle Any Book? Think Again, Pansy.

That's right. I found a book that has me speechless, yet I shove it at you with my eyes wide open in horror. Not because it sucks. Oh contraire, mon ami. This book is fantastic!!!!! (Yes 5 exclamation points-- FIVE!) I’m afraid words will ruin the magic! Let my eyes tell the tale.

But! It is not a book for you pansies who like happy endings. Yet... the ending is about as happy as it can get, really it is. I was never so satisfied by a morbid ending in my entire life! Ah.... magic. Have I got you curious yet?

I do just want to share it with everyone but I do it with a warning, because this is a story about a devil of sorts who takes over a little girl. And more than once it turned me into a monster. I wanted to reach into Don’s world and kill the innocent heroine myself. Don's writing is just that powerful. It consumed me, made me forget that it was just a story. I wanted to save her from herself and just end her miseries.

When you walk away from Cambrian it’s with a deep breath, because even days later you’re still praying that nothing like this will ever happen to you or those you love. 

I can't recommend this book to anyone who wants to live in their happy fantasies. Sorry boys and girls, this is a story of a little girl who is about to go to hell and back again, and somehow, she'll survive even when she doesn't. Make sense? Oh hell, just read the damn thing will ya?

CAMBRIAN FROM KOBO

Visit Don over at http://24novels.com/ to view is act of Insanity. For more details see my previous posts on the subject, as it's clear, I'm slightly obsessed with the lunacy of his idea. ;) Don Britt Shares, A Peek Into Don Britt's Act of Insanity, The Drunken Bliss of a 1st Draft, Update On Inside a Writer's Mind, Inside a Writer's Mind!!!

Read anything with a horribly dark ending that still made you happy it ended that way? That is some good writing eh?

Pick up Cambrian, it was a fun read.

"My blood is in you now.

Until now she had looked on those words as nothing but a threat. A kind of vicious promise, meant to torture her. But now, for the first time another possibility occurred to her.

She thought of vampires and of the dark gift they bestowed, the ability to do new and frightening things.

My blood is in you now.

What if these words were more than a threat? What if they spoke of a dark gift she had been given? A gift that gave her the power to visit strange worlds."- Cambrian by DJ Britt

A Peek Into Your Life- Louann Carroll

A peek into your life, is a segment spotlighting authors, specialists, and friends who brave my countless questions day in and day out. It's the best way I can share with you all, the many people who taught me the bizarre things I know, who satisfy my thirst for knowledge and adventure, and who keep me motivated.

Louann Carroll has a very exciting site; Welcome! To Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy. Now I met Louann during a blog hop hosted by her awesome publishing house Crescent Moon Press. I fell in love with every book on the tour and  Gemini Rising was the first one I read. I'm tackling Piper's Fury next!! Thanks Crescent Moon Press for the great blog fest and the awesome book I won!!! Not to mention finding all these kick-a authors. aha.

GEMINI RISING
Wow. Sci-fi with characters who could be my best friends. My heart is still pounding. The story feels so real. What if the planet shifted and aliens came to help in the crossing? Don't imagine it, read about it!! And then! (Excuse me while I fan myself off...) The romance between Kate and the sexy Noah was enough to start up global warming in a New Ice Age. I did not see the end coming and was shocked to the core of my soul. Well done.

This feels like the start of a great series, are there more books with these characters or this end-of the world idea in the works?

Gemini Rising, Olam Ha'Yetzirah, is the second book in the Gemini series. The Olam Yetzirah is the 'home of the angels' where Kate and Noah flee after the birth of Lucia. I am halfway through and have had lots of fun writing this one. The third Gemini is about Noah and Lucia's adventures after Kate and Noah disappear, eventually resulting in unification.

Sumerian chronicles describe a war in the heavens between the beings of Light and the beings of Darkness. Kate and Ryan Kelly are beings of Light. Rathor, Noah's nemesis, is a being of Darkness. This ongoing fight will conclude in the second book, Gemini Rising, The Olam Yetsirah (Place of Angels.)   

   

Gemini Rising feels so real, it could actually happen, what inspired it?

Several years ago, Gemini Rising came to me in a dream after reading Zecharia Sitchin's theories on the planet Nibiru and Sumerian writings. I also wanted to explore what it would be like to survive a pole shift. Those two elements combined into an intense nightmare which became the novel Gemini Rising.

What is the next project you're working on?

I just received A Shadow of Time back from my editor for revisions. Shadow is a paranormal romance tying in multiple dimensions and a little bit of time travel.

Consumed by a childhood filled with terror and pain, Kellyn O’Brien strives to create the perfect family.Then, disaster strikes. Her husband is dead. Three weeks later, she discovers her son is heir to Shadow Ley, a nineteenth century estate located in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Still reeling from Michael's death, Kellyn moves to Shadow Ley. Soon after her arrival, the ordinary becomes the extraordinary: broken drinking glasses repair themselves, stair rails that were once old are now new, and suddenly the estate of Shadow Ley is not what it seems. Frightened for herself, her son, and her unborn child, she seeks to understand.

She turns to the local historian and hears the tale of Shenahobet, the angry jin, keeper of the portal to time. Soon after, the dreams begin with windows into past lives, hints of multidimensionality, and the promise of life beyond death.

Legends abound and so Shadow Ley, the home Kellyn had hoped would bring peace to herself and her children, becomes mired first in doubt, then in terror, and finally in love eternal.

Who keeps you motivated to write or what inspires you to continue?

I love to write. I have ghost written adoption books, produced radio talk shows, and have had children's books published that were written mainly for my children. Each book is a parable, hopefully teaching a little morality in a difficult world.In my paranormal romances I've found an outlet to ponder the reality of life which brings me great pleasure.

And... now it's time for us to peek into your life.

I have three children and seven grandchildren. I was C.E.O., of Healthguard in Fremont, CA for many years before semi-retiring to the California foothills. I collect rocks, fossils, and Native American artifacts. I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth called Lake Wildwood. A herd of deer live in my backyard and come early spring the turkeys are out for show, strutting their colors and gobbling like crazy. It isn't unusual to see a fox or coyote walk through the backyard and of course, there are my dogs, Chelsea and Gus, who share my life along with my husband, Dennis.

On a more personal note, I am grateful for my life. It has been interesting, at times deeply sad, and always motivating.

So what will we find you doing in your spare time?

With a fishing pole over one shoulder and my tackle box, I'll head down to the lake with my grand kids to fish for croppie and bass. If the weather is hot enough, I'll be in the boat acting as flag person for the skiers in the family. Or swimming. I adore swimming.

If I'm not there, I'm down at the Yuba river collecting rocks or panning for gold. Then there's that deck swing that calls to me to bring a book and settle down for a good read.

That is a kick-a cover, no? Wow. Love it.

Thank you for letting me share a bit of my life and the reasons I write. For more information about upcoming novels please visit www.louanncarrollbooks.weebly.com.

Ah man. A peek is never enough is it? Thanks Louann, can't wait to read more of your work!

When the Eyes Dance

Our eyes meet.

I was doing a little research-- no surprise there--

and stumbled on this very interesting book;

How to Read and Use Body Language

by Anna Jaskolka.

I was looking for the body language of a liar, since my next character lives a double life.

It was very helpful.

Yet somehow, I ended up with pages and pages of notes on flirting-- ah, no surprise there either.

I'll share what the eyes are doing, because each body part flirts in its own way.

Now, if someone is interested in you, their eyes make a little journey--she calls it a courtship dance--and it goes something like this ( in my own notes);

By now, our friends have faded to background noise. Perhaps they left.

There is but one question in his eyes as they search mine.

Satisfied with my unspoken answer, he lingers on my lips. The pause is brief, almost pleading, and it doesn't end there. He settles dreamily on the cusp of my neck, tasting me with his intense stare, but finally his eyes journey back to mine.

A tiny smile teases before I request it, perhaps his new question triggers it. 

This time, as his eyes wander, mine mirror his, letting him guide me in our dance. 

Now serious flirting will require longer eye contact, but this varies between the couple, and she is great at giving examples for the different types of couples out there. An example; to show interest, in general, men hold strong eye contact, while a gal shows interest with a flirting smile, yet still returns the eye contact, even if it's not as strong a hold, but more a teasing one.

So of course, I didn't let my new found knowledge end there. What are other experts saying on the subject? My research deepened, searching for more answers to my unspoken question. The Best information about site confirms that eye contact is crucial in flirting. Many others did too, but I liked their post the best, so that's the link I'm leaving you with.

  

Well. Enough said about that. I know just how I can use this information. Gotta go. My hunky cowboy just brought back the key my heroine is looking for. Maybe their eyes will do a little dance on paper.

A Peek Into Your Life- Richard Hughes

A peek into your life, is a segment spotlighting authors, specialists, and friends who brave my countless questions day in and day out. It's the best way I can share with you all, the many people who taught me the bizarre things I know, who satisfy my thirst for knowledge and adventure, and who keep me motivated.

I met Richard via an on-line writing community. So technically, I've never physically met him. He could be a cat with great smarts for all I know, but he's a great friend, feline or not. We just love to gab about everything from writing to life. Just by reading his interview, you'll see what I mean. He starts a discussion on blogs, on life, and on writing themes with just a few words. He's full of brilliance, and his writing explodes with voice. But best of all, he has amazing patience with my endless questions. Everyone needs a friend like this.

His site; Writing and Living was one of the first ones I followed and he forever keeps me intrigued with his incredible ideas and stories. What a a fun place to visit. I learnt some fascinating things over at his place.

Among the things I leant was how to e-publish. Richard let us peek into his life while he learnt the process first hand. Fun, I know! 

His collection of short stories

 Battles and other stories 

is available on Amazon.com.

 The voice in each one is unique. But, really, the only way to appreciate great writing is to read it for yourself. I wish I could tell you which one of his stories was my favourite, but honestly, I can't choose. I liked each one for different reasons.

The bizarre tension in "A Very Happy Man" had me on the edge of my seat, and I was sushing everyone so I could hear the voice in my head as I read. Which is rare for me, I'm used to speed reading. I know a story has incredible voice when it slows me down.

The theme from "Battles" gave me goosebumps, and "The Initiation" was just a fun read I plan to share with my son in a few years. He's going to love that one! 

So grab a hot chocolate and stay for a chat while I fine-tune my out of practice journalistic skills. I'd offer you cookies, but like usual, they burnt.

  Richard, what are you currently working on?

        I’m finishing a family saga/historical novel set in the first half of the twentieth century (pre WWI through the end of WWII). I finished the first draft last year and my reading groups are currently reading it, and I’m making the necessary changes. They should be finished reading it in about five weeks. It’ll be somewhere over 100,000 words.
        I’m also working on a sequel to that book, which is about 80-85% written. I’ll focus on finishing it after the above book is completed.
        I’ve also completed drafts of a couple of other books in the saga. But that’s too far away to get into right now.

Let's talk about your collection. It has three very different, yet intriguing tales. Tell us something about each one.

The three stories in the collection are very different from each other. The first story—“Battles”—was written about twenty-five years ago. The next story—“The Initiation”—was written about fifteen years ago. The third story—“A Very Happy Man”—was written about ten or eleven years ago. (Since then I’ve been working on novels.)
All three stories reflect a different period of my life and what interested me at those times.

Tell us a little bit about the theme from "Battles". “Battles” reflects the strong interest I had in the religious life and monasticism when I was in my thirties. I was married and had children, but I was nevertheless fascinated by those subjects. I was also an insurance salesman at the time, a scrupulously honest one, which causes problems in the real world of business. I had a lot of internal conflicts about what I was doing. Many of the people all around me were basically dishonest or unscrupulous, and they were very successful, and I wasn’t. I couldn’t understand why God would allow these “crooks” to succeed and not me, when I was trying to follow his will, and they so obviously couldn’t care less. As odd as that may seem, that was somewhat at the heart of my story, even though it’s a story about WWII.

Your blog is one of my fav places to visit. Your writing there speaks for itself. How do you decide what to post?
I began my blog last year and I enjoy it quite a bit. What I find is that most writers’ blogs are about writing, and that’s pretty much it. I’m trying to figure out how to write posts that will interest the general reading public, not just other writers. It’s hard to do. What I know best is writing. Of course, I know other things. But they’re not as easy to write about. I doubt the general public is much interested in the writing process. But what do they want to know? That is the question.

Short stories, sagas, blogs, what else do you write?

I’m a life-long writer. I began writing stories in high school and have never wanted to do anything else. I wrote my first novel when I was about nineteen, and quite a few others during the next ten or so years. But I never really brought any of them to a professional level of writing. I kept going from one book to the next after one draft, my imagination running away with me. It’s not until now—the past ten or twelve years—that I’ve begun to concentrate on one novel at a time and polish, polish, polish. Hopefully, I can start getting them published.

I’ve also written poetry, but I do not consider myself a poet. As much as I love poetry, I’m much happier writing fiction, and I hope to continue writing fiction, and some non-fiction, for the rest of my life.

Thanks for letting us peek into your life Richard!

All the best, always.