Summer, Mermaids, and 13 Questions With @OkatieO

Posted on May 20, 2013 at 2:39 am by Lindsey Loucks

It’s almost summer time!!! What better way to celebrate the final week of school (at least for me) than with a fun interview with author Katie O’Sullivan? There is no better way, so let’s go!

 

Me: The zombie apocalypse is here. You’re going to fight them off with the first thing you see on your left. What is it?

Katie: Umm, that would be the Girl Scout patches my daughter earned for selling cookies. (She helpfully stuck them on my desk so I could sew them for her.) I’m not sure how that would help with zombies though… guess I’m a goner.

 

Me: HA! Well, maybe the zombies will be so impressed with your daughter’s accomplishments that they’ll leave you alone! Did you learn anything today? If so, what?

Katie: That I need to be better prepared for the zombie apocalypse!

 

Me: LOL! How do you like your vampires: not at all, sparkly, wearing a cape, or drinking blood from bottles?

Katie: Blood from bottles, definitely. (Erik is pretty yummy in the books and on HBO both!)

 

Me: *sighs* Oh, Erik. Can I please be your Sookie Stackhouse? Where did the idea for Son of a Mermaid come from?

Katie: My middle child and I were walking the dogs on the beach one day and we found a strange beach stone with a hole cut through the center. We started making up a story about the mermaid who lost it and what she was doing so close to shore… and it sort of took off from there.

 

Me: That is so cool! What’s something about yourself that really annoys you?

Katie: My packrat tendencies. I’d like to blame it all on my husband, but I think I’m guilty too. I wish I could just let go of stuff!

 

Me: I can relate. Sometimes I think I’m nearing an episode of Hoarders with my packrat habits. Other than your release day, what is something you’re really looking forward to?

Katie: The City of Bones movie theater release. But I have to wait all summer!!

 

Me: I read the book, but I felt kind of “meh” about it. Anyway, what’s the name of the book you’re reading?

Katie: The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green.

 

Me: I need to read that one! So many books…so many books… What scares you?

Katie: Cows & Cows & Cows. And spiders.

 

Me: THAT WAS THE WEIRDEST THING I’VE EVER SEEN! Ditto on the spiders. Pop or soda or soda pop or Coke?

Katie: Soda. But I don’t drink it anyway.

 

Me: That’s a healthy way to be. Why do you write?

Katie: It’s fun to create different worlds and characters and see the stories in my head come to life!

 

Me: What’s the last song you listened to on purpose?

Katie: Iris, by the Goo Goo Dolls. And my son’s Black Keys CD.

 

Me: What is your favorite salty treat?

Katie: Cape Cod brand potato chips.

 

Me: What makes you laugh?

Katie: My kids. And stupid jokes, like those involving grammar humor. Or elephant jokes.

 

Awesome. Here’s a bit more about Katie and her book Son of a Mermaid:

 

SonofaMermaid_FrontCover

SON OF A MERMAID, by Katie O’Sullivan

 

Published May 2013 by Crescent Moon Press

YA fantasy romance

 

 

Book Blurb:

 

Shea MacNamara’s life just got complicated.

 

After a freak tornado devastates his Oklahoma farm, the fifteen-year-old orphan moves to Cape Cod to live with a grandmother he’s never met. Struggling to make sense of his new surroundings, he meets a girl along the shore who changes his life forever.

 

Kae belongs to an undersea world hidden from drylanders. The daughter of royal servants, she knows the planned marriage of her Princess to the foreign King should put an end to the war between the clans. Two things stand in the way of lasting peace: an ambitious Regent and rumors of a half-human child who will save the oceans.

 

Sparks fly when she meets Shea, but could the cute drylander really be the Son of a Mermaid?

 

 

About the Author:

 

Katie O’Sullivan lives with her family and big dogs next to the ocean on Cape Cod, drinking way too much coffee and inventing new excuses not to dust. She writes YA and romantic suspense novels, and works as an editor making other people’s words sparkle. For the last four years, she’s been the Editor of CapeWomenOnline.com magazine and writes a column entitled “The Write Way.”

 

She hopes her debut YA novel, SON OF A MERMAID, will make a big splash this summer, engaging young readers with a Cape Cod tale of a boy who discovers both his roots and his destiny far below the waters of Nantucket Sound.

 

Find Katie online:

Follow her Blog – http://katieosullivan.blogspot.com

Like her on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKatieOSullivan

Find her on Twitter – https://twitter.com/OkatieO

Check out her website at http://www.katie-osullivan.com

Add Son of a Mermaid on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17184560-son-of-a-mermaid

Doesn’t that book cover just make you want to jump right in? Aww, summer!

Katie is also giving away some prizes to celebrate her release, including this gorgeous necklace!

BelieveNecklace

Want! To enter the contest, just enter your info into the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Oh, wait! I almost forgot that I’m over at Katie’s blog today for an interview! You should totally go check it out. :)

 

Posted in Contests, Crescent Moon Press, Katie O'Sullivan, Son of a Mermaid, Summer | 4 Comments

Dear Book I Wrote…

Posted on May 15, 2013 at 3:15 am by Lindsey Loucks

Single tree in field during winter 2

 

Well, today is your big day! How does it feel? Are you nervous? Excited? Are you going to spew? Please don’t.

 

I’m proud of you even though you’ve prevented me from sleeping for about two months. I really wish I was exaggerating, but no. How many hours have I spent thinking about you, plotting you, getting feedback from you, worrying that you suck? Plenty, and I did most of that while I should’ve been sleeping. Sleep is for wusses though, right?

 

With my eyes half-open, I still think you look so pretty in your gorgeous cover. People tell me you look creepy all the time, and some even give me weird looks that I’m even associated with you. They’ll never understand our love. But some people won’t love you. In fact, some will hate you with a capital HATE. It’s cool, though. We’ll always have each other. Just keep being your gorgeous self.

 

I sometimes talk about the people living inside you like they’re real, which also elicit weird looks from some. That won’t stop me from doing it, though. To me, they are real, and if that makes me sound like a nut case, then maybe that store called Whaty-Whats really does sell straight jackets. Remember the smell of that store? Yum.

 

Anyway, I’m done rambling. Enjoy your book birthday. :)

 

Lindsey

 

The Grave Winner releases TODAY from Crescent Moon Press. As of this writing, it’s only available on Kindle, but will be available in paperback and other formats soon.

 

I have a lot of events coming up, so maybe you’ll see me around! Here’s the schedule:

 

Also, have you seen the trailer yet? I plan on doing a ‘making of’ post in the near future.

 

Posted in Book Birthday, Crescent Moon Press, Happy Dance, The Grave Winner | 3 Comments

@stbende Takes Over the World And It Starts Here

Posted on May 11, 2013 at 2:12 am by Lindsey Loucks

ELSKER

 

So one day I was minding my own business while checking my email when I discovered that I won a query critique on Melissa Dozier’s Blogiversary Bash. The critique was to be given by ST Bende. I sent her a query of A Boy and Her Scratch (yes, I know it’s not finished yet), and she replied back with her critique, and it turns out she’s mega-fabulous. And super nice, too!

 

Her debut, a new adult paranormal romance called Elsker, released April 20th. She’s going to take over and tell us a bit about it because she’s that awesome. Here’s ST Bende!

 

First of all, I have to tell you that I have major cover envy, Lindsey.  THE GRAVE WINNER looks absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to read it!

 

And second, I’m thrilled to visit your blog.  As a debut author, it’s been such a treat to be embraced by such a lovely group of readers and writers.  Y’all have been so fabulous.  

 

ELSKER, Book One in THE ELSKER SAGA, follows twenty-year-old Kristia Tostenson as she leaves her small town to find adventure at Cardiff University in Wales.  Kristia gets a lot more than she bargained for when she falls in love with Ull Myhr.  He’s not just a graduate student — he’s an Asgardian Assassin, and the Norse God of Winter.  Kristia’s orderly life is about to get seriously complicated.

 

I brought one of ELSKER’s goddesses along with me today — Inga Andersson’s beyond excited to introduce the ELSKER crew.

 

ST: Inga, why don’t you tell everyone a little about yourself?

Inga: Hei hei.  I’m Inga, and I know I don’t technically have a Title, but I know Odin meant to dub me Domestic Goddess.  I love baking, decorating, fencing, IndyCar racing, and of course my fabulous husband, Gunnar.

ST: Gunnar’s a god too, right?

Inga: Of course! And he’s a captain for the Elite Team, Asgard’s top squad of assassins.  He’s ranked #3 in total kills, behind Ull and Thor.

ST: Ull is Thor’s stepson, and the God of Winter.  Tell us about him.

Inga: Ull?  First of all, he’s stubborn.  He completely buries himself in his work and has no personal life whatsoever, even though Gunnar and I have been bugging him for eons to go on a date, already.  He’s irritating, and moody, and extremely bossy.

ST: I thought you liked Ull.

Inga: I do.  He’s my best friend.

ST: And the hottest god in Asgard, right?

Inga: *sighs* I guess he is pretty good looking, if you’re into the whole 6’5” brooding Norse god thing.  But honestly, he’s too sensitive for me.  Gunnar never gets bent out of shape when I tell him his fencing technique needs tweaking.  That’s why I love him.

ST: Tell us about Ull’s grandma.

Inga: Olaug’s fantastic.  She’s a little firecracker, and the best cook in the realm.  But she can be as stubborn as Ull — I’ve been begging for years and she still won’t share her Norsk waffle recipe.  It’s just wrong.  I share all my recipes with her.  All of them.

ST: I have a surprise for you.

Inga: What?

ST: I got her recipe.

Inga: Are you kidding?  That is so unfair.  You just met her.

ST: But Inga…

Inga: *huffs* What?
ST: I give her recipe away on the last page of ELSKER.  You can have it.

Inga: Seriously?

ST: Seriously.

Inga: Jeg elsker det, ST.

ST: I love you too, Inga.

 

THE ELSKER SAGA and the delicious Norwegian waffle recipe are available now from Entranced Publishing. 

 

Excellent! Waffles sound sooo good right now. Here is the blurb for Elsker, ST’s bio, and links where you can stalk find her.

 

Blurb:

Kristia Tostenson prefers Earl Grey to Grey Goose and book clubs to nightclubs, but when she transfers from her one-stoplight town to Cardiff University in Wales she falls in love with Ull Myhr. Her new boyfriend isn’t exactly what she was expecting. He’s an honest-to-goodness Norse God — an immortal assassin fated to die at Ragnarok, the battle destined to destroy Asgard and Earth. Kristia’s crazy visions are the only thing that can save their realms.

TUR, the prequel, can be downloaded for free HERE or HERE.

 

ELSKER, Book 1, is available from Entranced, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

 

Bio:

Before finding domestic bliss in suburbia, ST Bende lived in Manhattan Beach (became overly fond of Peet’s Coffee) and Europe… where she became overly fond of the musical Cats.  Her love of Scandinavian culture and a very patient Norwegian teacher inspired The Elsker Saga.  She hopes her characters make you smile and that one day pastries will be considered a health food.

 

Find ST Bende on Twitter (@stbende), Goodreads, or her website.

 

And be sure to stop by http://stbende.blogspot.com/p/elsker-tour.html between April 11th and May 20th to enter to win fabulous prizes in the ELSKER Release Month of Giveaways!

 

 

 

Posted in Elsker, Entranced Publishing, Melinda Dozier, ST Bende | 1 Comment

13 Questions With @MaerWilson

Posted on May 8, 2013 at 3:02 am by Lindsey Loucks

Before we get to the lovely Maer Wilson, I’d like to announce the winner of the free e-copy of J. Andrew Jansen’s The Priestess, The Protector. Drumroll, please! The winner is Lisa Carroll! Lisa, we’ll be in touch!

 

Now, here’s the lovely Maer Wilson, author of Relics, who will answer thirteen of my nutty questions. Let’s go!

 

Me: What’s something about you that really annoys you?

Maer: My luck. When it’s bad, anyway. I’ll go along with great good luck for ages and then hit a stint where I can count on Murphy moving in and taking over. Then I just have to be very careful about everything and hope I’ll escape mostly intact.

 

Me: What’s the name of the book you’re reading?

Maer: I have a couple books going at the moment. One book, The Grave Winner, you might have heard of that one (wink, wink) and Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza.

 

Me: Grave Winner? Nope, never heard of it. ;) Why do you write?

Maer: Because my characters will give me a headache if I ignore them too long. I can feel them tap-tap-tapping away, waiting for me to get on with it already.

 

Me: I hear you. Did you learn anything today? If so, what?

Maer: Today I learned that my dog is actually listening when I say, “No, you can’t go this trip.” Sometimes when she sees me get ready to leave she will go to the bag where her leash is and nudge it. Even after I say, “No” she will keep pointing to it with her nose as if perhaps I didn’t understand her. Today, she took me at my word and wandered off. I’m taking that as a win.

 

Me: Your poor doggy just wants to be with you! Spring or fall?

Maer: Spring for all the lovely green things here in the desert. Well, the lovely green things on my street anyway.

 

Me: What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

Maer: My dogs. They are my four-legged kids.

 

Me: Yep. My kid is my cat. If you were a comic book character, would you be a superhero or a villain? Why?

Maer: Superhero. I have a tendency to want to help people. So, I could totally get into that. Although I play the villain when I game in MMOs. It’s very therapeutic.

 

Me: Cool! Name a movie/book title that best describes your life.

Maer: Definitely, Maybe

 

Me: What scares you?

Maer: When the dogs bark really late at night, I get a little edgy.

 

Me: Here’s a free plane ticket! Where do you want to go?

Maer: Thanks, Lindsey! Australia, please! Want to come with?

 

Me: My suitcase is waiting by the door! What’s the last song you listened to on purpose?

Maer: Adiemus performing “Song of Tears”.

 

Me: What is your favorite holiday?

Maer: Halloween. I love the costumes.

 

Me: Halloween is my absolute favorite, too! What makes you laugh?

Maer: My dogs. The chihuahua is mellowing out since she’s thirteen, but my poodle, Chloe is something else. She is so smart and she comes up with some of the silliest things at times. She’s great at entertaining herself and me.

Thanks again, Lindsey! Fun questions!

 

You’re welcome any time, Maer!

 

Here’s a bit more about Maer and Relics:

 

maer

 

Author bio:

 

After a successful career being other people, and later teaching others the many tricks of that trade, Maer Wilson has decided to be herself for a while. Turns out she’s a writer. She’s always loved stories, especially fantasy, mystery and sci fi. She has a dragon-themed room in her home, but sadly no dragons in the back yard. When she’s not writing, Maer plays online video games, teaches college and reads. She lives in the high desert of Southern Nevada with her two dogs, a chihuahua and a poodle. Relics is her first novel.

 

Links:

http://maerwilson.com/

https://twitter.com/MaerWilson

Relics 1330x2000

When the creatures of myth and magic return to Earth, they’re nothing like your mother’s fairy tales.

Most of Thulu and La Fi’s clients are dead. Which is perfect since their detective agency caters to the supernatural. So, a job finding relics for an ancient daemon is simple.

The daemon needs the relics to keep a dangerous portal closed. His enemy, Gabriel, wants the relics to open the portal and give his people access to a new feeding ground – Earth.

Hoping to create chaos, Gabriel opens portals to other worlds and the creatures of magic return to Earth, stunning humanity with their existence.

When Gabriel threatens their family, Thulu and La Fi’s job becomes personal. They’ll need powerful allies in the race to find the relics before Gabriel does. But maybe that’s what grateful dead, magical allies and daemonic clients are for.

 

Also, go here for a chance to win a free copy of Relics or a Kindle!!

 

Posted in Crescent Moon Press, Maer Wilson, relics | 1 Comment

13 Questions With @jandrewjansen

Posted on May 2, 2013 at 3:29 am by Lindsey Loucks

You peeps are in for a treat! J. Andrew Jansen, who is one of my critique partners, just released his debut novel called The Priestess, The Protector. Memorable characters, a unique fantasy plot, plenty of adventure, slices of sharp humor, and the sweet awkwardness of young love make this a story to be added to the top of your reading list.

 

priestess

 

J agreed to answer 13 of my zany questions and tell us a bit more about his book. Check it, and be on the look-out for a cool giveaway!

 

Me: What’s something about you that really annoys you?

 

J: Time management skills, and the lack thereof.  I’m frequently late to events, particularly if they are regulalry scheduled.

 

Me: We must use the same clock because I’m always late, too. What’s the name of the book you’re reading?

 

J: Hmm.  I just finished Beautiful Creatures.  I’m halfway through “The Wiseman’s Fear”, though I’m a bit underwhelmed by it right now.

 

Me: Why do you write?

 

J: Because the voices in my head won’t relent unless I do.

 

Me: I hear you! Did you learn anything today? If so, what?

 

J: When you first get to the office, always check the temperature of the coffee in the pot before you pour a big cup and dump it in your mouth.  Cold coffee = sad.

 

Me: Ye-ouch! I wish I could say I’ve never done that. Are you prepared for the zombie apocalypse? Why or why not?

 

J: Yes, but not in the way most people expect.  My plan is to run to meet the zombies and get bitten.  I’d rather be on the team with a plan for world domination instead of hiding in a mall with a dwindling supply of food and ammo, waiting for the inevitable.

 

Me: That makes perfect sense. There’s much less stress that way. What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

 

J: Family.  And internet.  Probably in that order.

 

Me: Good answer! Would you rather be a vampire or a werewolf?

 

J: Vampire, definitely.  One word:  Fleas.

 

Me: HA! What are you going to do right after you finish this interview?

 

J: Go back to work.  (I’m lying.  Probably go get more coffee and wander around the office.)

 

Me: What scares you?

 

J: The fear of running out of stories.  I’m really digging this writing thing, and don’t want to find out I’m a hack.

 

Me: Nope, you’re not a hack! Pop or soda or soda pop?

 

J: Soda.

 

Me: Interesting. I’m a pop kind of girl. What’s the last song you listened to on purpose?

 

J: I’m going to cheat and give two, so that I don’t give the wrong impression.  Technically, the last song I listened to on purpose is “Bangarang” by Skrillex.  Before that, it was “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangels.

(Interesing side note.  In Bangarang during the refrain, I think he’s saying:

“Feel the…

Bangarang.”

 

But if you think about it just right, you can make it sound like an argument between  “Kool-Aid”  and “Gatorade!”

Just sayin…)

 

Me: I love it! That’s so funny! What is your favorite dessert?

 

J: Apple cobbler.  It has to be hot, with a big ol’ scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.

 

Me: Yummmmm. What makes you laugh?

 

J: Kool-Aid!   Gatorade!

 

 

Awesome. :)

 

Here’s more about The Priestess, The Protector:

Since she and her sister were found as orphans, Mirian has grown up in the temple, a passionate priestess dedicated to her Goddess. When she is granted magical healing powers, she feels her life is complete.

 

But jealousy tears the sisters apart, and pride keeps them separated. When Mirian is commanded by her Godddess to travel to heal the royal family and repair the rift between her and her sister, she finds one is easier than the other. And then there’s Jerok.

 

Jerok lives a carefree life bouncing from one place to another, liberating food and money as he goes. When he comes across a naive priestess in the middle of the woods, he decides she will be his ticket into the castle for the heist that will let him retire. But getting into the castle was just the beginning.

 

They are intercepted by an elf and a dwarf who pull them into the midst of a war between races they’d never known existed, a war she is supposed to win. But even with a magical pendant she cannot channel the power of the elements, leaving her unable to defend herself.

 

Despite the chaos, Mirian remains determined to find her sister, but can she do it in time? And will Jerok find what he’s been searching for?

 

Want to win a free e-copy? Of course you do! Leave a comment and I’ll pick a lucky winner.

 

Important Links:

Posted in J. Andrew Jansen, the Protector | 6 Comments

Happy Book Birthday to #Taste by @KateEvangelista

Posted on April 30, 2013 at 1:58 am by Lindsey Loucks

Taste Birthday

My Crescent Moon Press sister, Kate Evangelista, is celebrating a book birthday for her YA novel Taste. One year ago today, it was released into the world!

To celebrate her book birthday, she’s throwing a major party with a giveaway! The giveaway is for readers to take a picture of the most interesting place where they read Taste, whether paperback or ereader.  The most interesting pictures win. Winners will be announced on May 11.

First prize is an Amazon Gift Card for $30, $20 for second, and $10 for third. For more information, visit her blog!

Here’s more about Taste:

 

At Barinkoff Academy, there’s only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.

 

When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

 

 

Author Bio:

 

kate

 

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn’t going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master’s courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Today, she has four completed Young Adult novels.

 

Author Website: www.kateevangelista.com

Twitter: @KateEvangelista

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kate-Evangelista/165693410143202

Find Taste on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13484226-taste

Crescent Moon Press page for Taste: http://crescentmoonpress.com/books/Taste.html

 

Purchase Links:

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Taste-ebook/dp/B007Z1AC78

 

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taste-kate-evangelista/1110599907?ean=9781937254551

 

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Taste/book-Q8M5pIKoJkKLo_FgBJ_BOQ/page1.html?s=vUVZkfrXZUeDOQXRE7MhuA&r=4

 

The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Taste-Kate-Evangelista/9781937254551

Official Taste Cover

Oh, and here’s a juicy bit of information: The same amazing cover artist designed Kate’s Taste and my The Grave Winner! Liliana Sanches rocks!

Posted in Book Birthday, Contests, Crescent Moon Press, Giveaway, Kate Evangelista, Liliana Sanches, Taste | Leave a comment

Serenya’s Song NEW COVER Reveal Party!

Posted on April 28, 2013 at 4:46 am by Lindsey Loucks

My friend and critique partner is having a cover reveal for her novel, Serenya’s Song, TONIGHT! Here’s the link and more information:

https://www.facebook.com/events/558913810796302/

               coverreveal        

Serenya’s Song, Book Two of the stand-alone Tallenmere fantasy romance series, was born in April 2012. To better reflect its place as the darker middle-child of the series, cover artist Caroline Andrus and Mysti tore the original cover down and redesigned it! Special thanks goes to KY photographer Alicia Carlton and KY model Courtney Leigh Collins for providing a beautiful image for Serenya!

On Sunday, April 28 from 5-9 PM EST, Mysti wants to show off this new beautiful cover, so please join her for a night of prizes, games, music, and merriment! Share this event AND bring a friend!

Schedule/Prize List:

Cover Reveal, Blurb, Trivia / Weekend Spotlight OR Interview
Song & Excerpt
What’s Your Hobbit Name? / Notebook & Mug
Song & Excerpt
Add Your Own Caption / 4 E-Copies of Serenya’s Song
Song & Excerpt
Share the Cover / Signed Print of Serenya’s Song
Song & Excerpt
LIKE & Share / $25 Amazon Gift Card

Join the Party HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/558913810796302/

To learn more about Serenya’s Song and the Tallenmere Series, visit Mysti’s Goodreads page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4625596.Mysti_Parker

This book is so good, and you can bet I’ll be at the party!

 

 

Posted in Critique Partners, Mysti Parker, Party, Pet the Cover, Serenya's Song | Leave a comment

Queen of Jastain by @KaryRader

Posted on April 18, 2013 at 3:08 am by Lindsey Loucks

Two days ago, Crescent Moon Press released Kary Rader’s Queen of Jastain out into the wild. Let’s all just stare at the gorgeous cover for a moment. *sigh*

QoJlarge

 

Kary says, “Queen of Jastain is an Epic Fantasy Romance I began writing over two years ago. This story is so close to my heart and I’m all gooey and giddy inside to share it. You can find out more about the individual characters HERE on my website which also includes a map of the world.”

 

I love books with maps. They make the fantasy world so much more authentic. Here’s the blurb:

 

The Light brought her to him, but does he have the faith to make her his queen?

For twenty years, Avant plotted revenge against the dark king, but when a mysterious woman suddenly appears, everything changes. Although his prophetic Gift reveals she’s the Seed of Light chosen to restore the Crown, his overwhelming attraction to the women threatens his long-held plan for revenge and two decades of fidelity.

 

 

Abby Randall is inexplicably transported from Dallas to the medieval land of Jastain. There she meets Avant, who claims she’s the foretold champion of his people. While the hot guy has her hormones pumping, his crazy talk of defeating an evil king leaves questions to his sanity. Through his supernatural Gift, Avant transplants his memories into her, but neither are prepared for how their hearts intertwine.

 

 

Together they embark on their quest, but when Abby and Avant come face to face with destiny, will they sacrifice what matters most to provide a happily-ever-after for the people of Jastain?

 

 

Excerpt:

 

When Avant climbed back to the cave, his hair was wet. He’d slicked it back from his face and tied it into a little ponytail with a leather string. The sexy shadow of a light beard softened his angular jaw, and the thick waves of his hair shined with chestnut highlights in the morning sun. It was a good look for him, but then again, what wasn’t? Abby ran her fingers through her own tangled tresses and pulled her hair back. What she wouldn’t give for a hairclip.

 

“Would you like a thong for your hair?”

 

She giggled at the word thong, certain that what she pictured was not what he referenced. “Do you have an extra one? I’d like to get it out of my face, and I don’t have anything.” Actually she had her own thong, but she sure as hell wasn’t putting it in her hair.

 

He immediately unlaced the tie at the neck of his shirt and handed it to her.

 

She gasped and put a hand to her face to hide the heat in her cheeks as his shirt fell open below his breast bone. “You don’t have to do that.”

 

Her blood coursed wildly at the sight of the smooth muscles of his chest. A soft sprinkling of dark hair beckoned her fingers. She swallowed hard.

 

 “It’s all right. Please use it. It will be a hard day’s journey with hair in your face.” His words rang in her mind so sincerely she forgot her embarrassment, but her eyes kept flitting to his heavenly chest.

 

“Thank you, Avant, and not only for the lace but for everything you’re doing to help me.”

 

Holding her gaze, he nodded once, and her heart fluttered. Was it getting warm in the cave? She wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead.

 

 “It is time to be off if we are to make it to the next shelter before nightfall.” He picked up his pack and walked to the mouth of the cave. She grabbed her bag and followed.

 

Climbing down proved to be more difficult than going up. The muscles required to lower herself from one level to the next worked her thighs and butt like no gym equipment she’d ever experienced. It was like doing hours of squats. She trudged down the mountain with the previous day’s tumult weighting her down like the “freshman ten.” Avant helped her along on the steeper steps, but, for the most part, she made them on her own, clippity-clopping in those damned Docinis all the way.

 

When he reached the bottom, he disappeared around an outcropping. Abby took the last little step to the base and hurried after him. As she turned the corner, Avant grabbed her arm and spun her around. Driving her back against the rock, he pressed the length of his rigid body against her. His face, barely three inches from hers, clenched in thin lines of stress. Her heart raced…with fear.

 

She was pretty sure it was fear.

 

 

Whew! That’s some great tension!

 

Kary’s bio:

Kary Profile Pic

 

Kary Rader is a part-time Twitter sage, stay-at-home mother of three, and slave to the characters and worlds inside her head. Always creative, she’s drawn to stories with fantastical worlds and creatures. With a little bit of magic and divine guidance, there isn’t anything that can’t be accomplished with words. It’s the power of words that creates and destroys. Vanquishing evil and injustice while finding eternal love in the process is all in a day’s work. With the help of her critique partners and master cartographer imaginary places come to life.

 

You can find her at:

www.karyrader.com

Facebook

Twitter

Posted in Crescent Moon Press, Kary Rader, Queen of Jastain | 2 Comments

#petthecover – Relics by @MaerWilson

Posted on April 17, 2013 at 3:30 am by Lindsey Loucks

Oh, the pretty!

 

Relics 1330x2000

Book Blurb

Most of Thulu and La Fi’s clients are dead. Which is perfect since their detective agency caters to the supernatural. So, a job finding relics for an ancient daemon should be simple.

The daemon needs the relics to keep a dangerous portal closed. His enemy, Gabriel, wants the relics to open the portal and give his people access to a new feeding ground – Earth.

Stunning humanity with their existence, portals to other worlds begin to open and the creatures of magic return to Earth.

When Gabriel threatens their family, Thulu and La Fi’s search becomes personal. The couple will need powerful allies in the race to find the relics before Gabriel does. But maybe that’s what grateful dead, magical allies and daemonic clients are for.

When the creatures of myth and magic return to Earth, they’re nothing like your mother’s fairy tales.

 

Maer’s Bio

After a successful career being other people, and later teaching others the many tricks of that trade, Maer Wilson has decided to be herself for a while. Turns out she’s a writer. She’s always loved stories, especially fantasy, mystery and sci fi. Maer was born in the Year of the Dragon and has a dragon-themed room in her home, but sadly no dragons in the back yard. When she’s not writing, Maer plays online video games, teaches college and reads. She also co-hosts the literary podcast, “MythBehaving” and writes for two gaming fansites. She lives in the high desert of Southern Nevada with her two dogs, a chihuahua and a poodle. Relics is her first novel and will be released by Crescent Moon Press on May 1, 2013. You can visit her website at maerwilson.com.

 

Links

Maer’s Website: http://maerwilson.com/

Maer’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maer-Wilson-Author/149085628472833

Maer’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MaerWilson

Relics at Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17767013-relics

Posted in Crescent Moon Press, Maer Wilson, Pet the Cover, relics | 2 Comments

13 Questions With @JodyAKessler

Posted on April 4, 2013 at 6:03 am by Lindsey Loucks

Hello, everybody! Today I have the lovely Jody Kessler, author of Death Lies Between Us, with us, and she’s agreed to be interrogated! Yay, Jody!

 

Here we go!

 

1. What is your favorite smell? Grape candy. Grape has been my favorite since I was born. I don’t eat fake grape flavoring anymore, but I love the smell.

 

2. Very interesting. Would you rather live in a mountain hideaway or a beach house? Okay, both. I already live in a mountain hideaway, so can I have a beach house too? The ocean calls my name all the time. I’m a Pisces, I can’t help it.

 

3. You can have a beach house too only if I can come visit. What’s your favorite drink? Grape. Did I already use that answer? So, just for today, I’m really enjoying hot black tea with cream and sugar — simple and yummy.

 

4. Cats or dogs?  Dogs. Cat hair makes me want to scratch my face off.

 

5. Cats will sometimes scratch your face off for you! Did you learn anything today? If so, what?  Mentos in diet coke does not always explode. Apparently you have to have the correct ratio. My four year old was learning this with me earlier. And, by the way, vinegar and baking soda will shoot up like a geyser. (We’ve been making volcanoes for the last few days.)

 

6. That sounds like great fun! What makes you laugh? Being silly with my kid. His laugh always makes me laugh. It’s the greatest sound in the universe.

 

7. That is so sweet. Do you watch sports? Why or why not? I have a hard time watching most sports. It doesn’t hold my interest and I am the least competitive person in the world. That being said, I have an unwarranted passion for ice hockey and WRC rally car racing.

 

8. What’s the last movie you watched? Watch movies? Who has time for that? It’s been a while, but I think it was Pirates! Band of Misfits. I kinda dig claymation.

 

9. Here’s a free plane ticket! Where would you like to go? Ireland, Iceland, and Scotland. I have a weird obsession with that area of the world. And thanks, I’ve been dying to go there for some time now. (I’ve been to Scotland once, but I really want to go back.) My latest work in progress has a twisted misadventure in Northern Ireland. It’s been fun to write characters and scenes there.

 

10. Take me with you! What’s something about yourself that really annoys you? I can be a bit obsessive. I usually know when I’m doing it, and I still can’t stop. It’s typically something trivial, like not being able to find my favorite pen or trying to rid my couch of dog hair.

 

11. I can relate to that. What’s the name of the book you’re reading? Oooh, I’m currently reading an ARC of Relics by Maer Wilson. It’s due out in May. I feel special because I get to read it before anyone else does. I have another pre-release that I’m excited about. The Grave Winner. I think you may be familiar with that one.

;-)

 

12. I may have heard of that title somewhere… Summer or winter? Summer!!!!  I’m not opposed to winter. I live at 8,600 ft. and winter lasts about 7-8 months. After that long, the cold gets annoying and a few warm months are really nice.

 

13.  Why do you write?  If I don’t write, I turn into a scary beast that nags, complains, and cleans house — obsessively, of course.

Thanks, Lindsey, for having me over at your place.

 

Any time, Jody. Any time. :D

 

So that was the wonderful Jody. Here’s a bit more about Death Lies Between Us.

deathlies

Blurb

 

Saving the life of someone you love should not be the worst thing you have ever done, unless you are an Angel of Death.

 

Disgruntled with his position in the afterlife and conflicted by his feelings toward his new client, Nathaniel Evans forgoes the rules and saves nineteen year old Juliana Crowson from being hopelessly stuck in Forge Creek. This alters Juliana’s destiny and she finds herself in a series of near death accidents.

 

In the mountains of Colorado, Nathaniel comforts Juliana as she struggles to understand her paranormal abilities while coping with her brother’s drug addiction. When an ill-tempered Native American Shaman teaches her the difference between ghosts and place memories, she decides she wants nothing to do with the supernatural world. Too bad she doesn’t know that Nathaniel is part of it.

 

Will fate bring these two together, or has Nathaniel made the biggest mistake of his afterlife?

 

jody

Bio

Jody A. Kessler enjoys writing paranormal novels and is a member of Pikes Peak Writers.  She is a yoga instructor, Reiki Master, and a graduate from the Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy. When she took an extended leave from her massage practice to stay at home with her newborn she returned to her first true passion —writing. She spends most of her time being a mother, writing, and teaching yoga, but also likes going to concerts, hiking, practicing herbal medicine, and reading anything that catches her interest. Jody lives in the mountains of Colorado with her family.

 

She welcomes visitors to her website www.jodyakessler.com

 

Buy a copy on Amazon

 

Or connect with her here:  Facebook  Goodreads  Twitter  Pinterest

Posted in Crescent Moon Press, Death Lies Between Us, Jody Kessler | 4 Comments