7 Questions with Amanda M. Lyons

Today I have the pleasure of presenting an interview with Amanda Lyons. For those of you unacquainted with Amanda, let’s take a moment to get to know her…

A longtime fan of horror and fantasy Ms. Lyons writes character driven novels that while influenced by her darker interests, can also be heavily laced with fantasy, romance, history and magic. Amanda M. Lyons has lived her whole life in rural Ohio where she lives with her fiance and two children. Eyes Like Blue Fire is her first novel.Wendy Won’t Go, a novelette was released from J. Ellington Ashton Press in December and she’s currently at work on Apocrypha a short horror collection with Robert Edward Lyons II.

Amanda is also an editor with J Ellington Ashton Press.

Welcome Amanda! Now let’s get to the questions…. Using ten words or less, tell me about your book.

Emotional character driven literary horror with edges of the fantastic.

What song would you want to play during the opening credits of your book were it made into a movie? Why?

Hmm I’m not sure I would use a song for it, the opening is very quiet.

Who would you want to direct the story of your life? Is there anyone specific you’d like to play you?

Darren Aronovsky, he’s very good with the subtle and dramatic. He also utilizes the fantastic in a way that doesn’t interfere with the story. I doubt if there are any actresses that are anything quite like me, it’d probably have to be an unknown.

What is your writing process? Are you a planner or a pantser? Do you prefer to hand write your works or type them directly into your word processor?

I’m almost always a pantser with at most some notes or ideas to work with. I used to hand write everything and type it up later  I’ve switched since I sorted out my handwriting is terrible and sometimes illegible even to me…besides I got tired of forcing myself to write all of that up with the first few edits of Eyes Like Blue Fire.

What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself: something you wish you knew then that you know now?

All of that work was worth it, it just took a lot more time than we thought, be patient.

What are the three books that really inspired you to become a writer?

Matilda by Roald Dahl, Grimms Fairy Tales, The Stand by Stephen King

And now it’s time for the Rapid. Fire. Questions.

• Coffee or tea? Both, mostly tea
• Cats or dogs? Cats
• Snow or sun? Neither fall
• Print books or eReader? Print
• Nachos or potato chips? Ick neither
• Baked or fried? Baked
• Candy or chocolate? Generally mint candy
• Comedy, Romance, or Horror? Horror
• Action, Science Fiction, or Animated? Sci-fi
• Classics or Modern? Depends
• Old World or New World? Depends
• Sweet or spicy? Sweet
• Comfort or Speed? Comfort

Thank you Amanda for taking the time to answer my questions!

If you’d like to connect with Amanda, you can find her on Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, Amazon, her website and her blog.

Now let’s take a quick look at Wendy Won’t Go… Don’t forget to click on the cover to be taken to Amazon!

Billy and Sara are living a life of fear. Every day and every night since Sara was small they have been haunted by a terrible apparition. She is cold and she is cruel, strange and frightening. Her name is Wendy, and no matter where they go and no matter what they do, Wendy Won’t Go.

A Monday for Anything: A Guest Post with Gary Eddings

Today I have the pleasure of presenting a guest post with Gary Eddings, author of Hollow Point. Let’s take a few moments and get to know him from the person who knows himself the best…

I retired as a fire department EMS Division Chief for Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue in 2005. I have been writing seriously since mid-2009, and this is my second novel with Champagne Book Group. I am also a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. I am the father of four and the grandfather of three; a two year old grandson and newly-minted twin girls.

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Website

So without further ado, let’s give Gary the floor as he answers the question:

If you could change places with any of your characters for a day, who would it be and why?

There is just no getting around it; I like quirky characters that are usually a sidekick to the main character. In the case of Hollow Point, I would choose Grandfather Hawk, a legally blind shaman with his guide dog, Sadie. Hawk can still see grey outlines of people and some other things close up, but his dog more than makes up for his disability. She has a mind of her own. Hawk has lived on the Reservation all of his life. His blindness began mid-life.

Word had it that Hawk catered mostly to Tribal members who still followed the old ways. He was a healer, a counselor, and he performed a variety of traditional ceremonies. He always manages to show up unexpectedly, but with uncanny timing. He always had a plastic bag of raw chicken tucked away in Sadie’s vest.

Hawk had learned to pay attention to his surroundings with the other senses that grew sharp when his eyesight began to fail. He was not shy about accepting free breakfasts at the local café. That is where Colson met him and couldn’t tell he was blind except that Hawk never looked at him while finishing off his plate of food. There was no fumbling of silverware or anything else on the man’s table. Colson didn’t see Sadie on the far side of the table until Hawk got up to leave.

The reason I like this character so much is that he takes on adversity using his wits and the resources he has acquired in the animal world. He also happened to have a very large feathered friend that visited from time to time at the waterfront near the Cultural Center.

That is where Colson met a remarkable, huge chicken lover. Hawk handed him the bag of chicken from Sadie’s vest, gave it to Colson and bade him farewell, which he became known to do. His advice was to see if Colson could make friends with the feathered wonder who was devouring the chicken quickly leaving Colson in fear for his personal safety.

Hawk seemed to know when lessons were best learned on your own. No apologies; no deep explanations; consequences are overrated. That would be a fun way to live for a day.

Thank you for your invitation!

Great post Gary! Now let’s learn a little more about the book – Hollow Point…

There is no such thing as an ordinary traffic stop, something Tribal Officer Pat Colson is reminded of when pulling over a dusty old Buick. Before he knows it, shots are flying and he is huddled behind his police cruiser for cover.

In the ensuring investigation, a sizable amount of methamphetamine is discovered in the suspects’ vehicle. Uncut and very potent, the question is where does it come from— the Reservation or elsewhere?

With everyone on the Reservation becoming a suspect, and little information to go on, Colson must act fast to stop the dangerous drug from killing more innocent victims and stop a murderer in his tracks.

Amazon | GoodReads

And there’s a Giveaway!!

There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:

• Five mystery eBooks from Champagne Book Group. Books will be selected at random from publisher.
• $20 gift card to either Amazon or B&N, courtesy of Joyce Proell

Giveaway is International.

Win 5 Mystery Books from Champagne Book Group & $20 Gift Card!

Sunday Spotlight: Essence by Ela Lourenco

Essence by Ela Lourenco

Katra is a Fae Hunter in a world once ravaged by a terrible war. Having lost all memory of her childhood and rightful identity, her duty is now to protect the tentative peace brokered by the varying races of the supernatural world.  When an evil darkness begins to spread, draining young witches of their power, Katra must find a way back to her true past in order to save the future.

Enduring many trials as ever-increasing powers awaken within her, Katra must also struggle with the mixed emotions her new partner, Blade – a Black Dragon – is rousing within her. Together they must battle the shadows that plan to devour the world they know and prevent its decent into another thousand-year war.

Can Katra hold onto her strength as the truth of her very being begins to unravel? Can she bear the weight that ancient prophecy has placed on her young shoulders? Or is her destiny to regain her true self, only to lose the world she is sworn to protect?

Now Available on:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iBooks (Apple)

Smashwords

ABOUT THE AUTHOR – Ela Lourenco lives in sunny Scotland with her two daughters and husband. She has a passion for reading and all things supernatural, particularly where there is a whodunit involved! Ela can often be found in the kitchen baking yet another cake as she ponders her next story.

7 Questions with D. Alexander Ward

Today I have the pleasure of featuring an interview with author D. Alexander Ward. For those of you unfamiliar with D, let’s take a moment to get to know him better…

D. Alexander Ward lives with his wife and daughter in Virginia on the farmland where he grew up and where his love for the people, passions and legends of the South was nurtured. There he spends his nights and weekends penning stories of the dark, strange and fantastic.

His stories have appeared in numerous anthologies and his novella, After the Fire and story collection, A Feast of Buzzards are available in both print and electronic editions from Dark Hall Press and Hazardous Press.

Welcome D! Now let’s get to the questions… Using ten words or less, tell me about your book.

Spooky and terrible happenings test the characters’ humanity. Who wins?

I like that you made it into a question! What song would you want to play during the opening credits of your book were it made into a movie? Why?

“Devil Is On His Way” by Joe Buck Yourself. It has an ominous feel with a little edge to it, which I think lines up well with the stories inside.

Great choice! Who would you want to direct the story of your life? Is there anyone specific you’d like to play you?

Oliver Stone would direct, with fevered, trippy visuals like in The Doors and Natural Born Killers. Starring anyone who could make it through the screenplay without dying of boredom.

LMAO! What is your writing process? Are you a planner or a pantser? Do you prefer to hand write your works or type them directly into your word processor?

I’ve never been pantsed while writing if that’s what you mean. No? Well, then I’d have to be a planner, I guess. I start out very loose, playing with an idea to see if I like the tone, if the story or book is going somewhere, if it hooks me. Once it does, I begin a moderately detailed outline and then fill in and update it as I write and as I change things. Usually peppered with a lot of research because I don’t completely believe in “write what you know.” And I type, mostly because my brain spews faster than my fingers can write legibly.

Are you sure you’ve never been pantsed?? What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself: something you wish you knew then that you know now?

Knock it off and keep writing stories, dummy.

What are the three books that really inspired you to become a writer?

As a kid, I was more inspired by stories than whole books. Stephen King’s Skeleton Crew, Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” and W.W. Jacobs’s “The Monkey’s Paw” all hit me pretty hard in junior and high school.

As a hopelessly immature adult, some of the books that have inspired me and affected my style are Stephen King’s novella, 1922, Christopher Buehlman’s Those Across the River and Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects.

Now it’s time for the Rapid. Fire. Questions.

• Coffee or tea? Tea.
• Cats or dogs? Dogs.
• Snow or sun? Both.
• Print books or eReader? eReader. Mostly.
• Nachos or potato chips? Nachos.
• Baked or fried? Blasphemy! Fried!
• Candy or chocolate? Chocolate.
• Comedy, Romance, or Horror? Horror.
• Action, Science Fiction, or Animated? Action.
• Classics or Modern? Classics.
• Old World or New World? Bit of both, I reckon.
• Sweet or spicy? Spicy!
• Comfort or Speed? Comfort

Thank you D for taking the time to answer my questions!

If you’d like to connect with D, you can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and his website.

Now let’s take a quick look at A Feast of Buzzards… Don’t forget to click on the cover to be taken to Amazon!

Take a journey through a twisted version of the American South with these stories by author D. Alexander Ward as he draws back the curtain on a world where isolation, faith and transformation all play a part in the struggle between light and dark—and the battles that rage within us all.

• The ghost of a young boy’s father helps him discover the hero within as he strives to rescue his mother, abducted during a drug deal gone bad.
• During a trip across Mississippi, a man listens as a voice on the radio inflames his worst fears about his wife and child, and drives him toward the edge of madness and an unthinkable act.
• A young man and his father on a hunting expedition are pursued by the spirit of his grandfather, whose cruelty only seems to have worsened in death.

It’s the sound of duct tape stretching across a mouth to muffle screams. It’s a rusty pickup truck idling in the dark. It’s a lonely back road through trailer parks and empty fields.

This is A Feast of Buzzards…

A Second Monday for Anything: Guest Post with L.T. Getty

Today I have the wonderful pleasure of presenting a guest post by L.T. Getty, author of Tower of Obsidian. But before we get to that, let’s take a few moments and get everyone acquainted…

L.T. Getty started writing her first novel in junior high, and hasn’t really stopped since. She’s studied kendo, is an open water scuba diver, and has recently taken up archery, and hopes to learn to do it horseback someday. When she’s not writing, she works as a paramedic. When she is writing, it tends to be rather cheeky.

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | GoodReads | Blog

So without too much further ado, here’s L.T. and her thoughts on what she’d like readers to take away from her book Tower of Obsidian!

To me, since Tower of Obsidian is about interpretation of story and I played around with roles of hero and villain, I can’t answer that everyone will walk away with the same message because I left a lot of the story up to interpretation. That being said, there were numerous themes that I explored, and that the main theme of the story is about hope.

Hope for me, is about the belief that things beyond us will improve. This goes beyond “I work for it, therefore it will pay off” – to me, this is an exchange or reward. Hope is like my concept of Grace, in that it’s transcendent in value – hope as a belief that there is something greater than us, and that things like justice and mercy will play out in the end rather than cosmic indifference.

Tower of Obsidian‘s story is meant to be familiar enough that most people can recognize very familiar elements – dragons, witches, knights, tall towers, and a love triangle. I go out of my way to subvert the roles and I think in a way, it’s upsetting for some readers, despite my disclaimer of a prologue. I will acknowledge here that if I was just about to tell something for the sake of pure entertainment, I would have told a much more straightforward story with designated roles. It probably would also have been much more slapstick or be raunchy, but I’m getting off-topic.

I explored hope as a theme, and that includes some very dark places and concepts we don’t really like to acknowledge as a society. It’s always external that the issue and fault lies. The reason I used the end of the Viking Era was because it represented the dying away of the old age where beliefs started to get unified, but it was easy to use unenlightened historical figures where we know there are strict rules regarding not only gender and race, but class as well, and judge them according to our standards. I notice a lot of fear mongering as we build our viewpoints up and we create dichotomies. We all say we hate bullies, but we’ll use bully-like behavior for our own causes. The ends justify the means. In reality, this is sometimes unavoidable – we need violence and it can solve the seemingly direct problem, but it doesn’t solve it at its core. In reality, I can hope that people will do the right thing all the time, but I know I don’t live up to that standard myself all the time. In fantasy, I can have agape and self-sacrifice as the catalyst that changes the world.

I don’t know if I’m a good enough writer to convey the theme properly – I’m sure you could read Tower of Obsidian and come back to me with a far different interpretation of the story. But I do hope that you try to read the story for some greater message then just about a tale of knights and towers.

Thank you L.T.! Now let’s take a look at Tower of Obsidian and keep in mind that clicking on the cover will take you to Amazon!

When Kale mac Tadhg is betrayed by his Lord’s men, he is sent on an impossible quest: slay a witch in a tower, and end a people’s curse. Both Kale’s best friend and brother-in-arms Aaron Smithson and former betrothed Aoife of Westgate set out to rescue him, but their journey takes them into the uncharted waters and Northwestern Nordic colonies, to a land cursed and all but forgotten. They begin to realize that there is some truth to old legends. Kale’s rescue comes at a price—for by the time Aaron and Aoife know where to search, like so many before him, Kale is bound to the ancient tower’s fate.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | GoodReads

And now there’s a giveaway!! It’s tour-wide but who doesn’t want to win stuff??

Prizes include the following:

GRAND PRIZE: One winner will receive 5 surprise fantasy eBooks from Champagne Book Group.

Giveaway is International.

Win 5 surprise fantasy eBooks from Champagne Book Group!

A Monday for Anything: My Writing Process

My Writing Process… A Look On The Inside!

The lovely Shah Wharton tagged me in a pyramid scheme. No it’s not what you think – it’s a blog hop that builds on adding other writers to share what they’re up to. Thinking I had nothing to lose, I accepted her challenge. You can check out what Shah’s working on these days by visiting her post here.

So what’s going on with me? Let me answer the 4 requisite questions and maybe something coherent will pop out the other end!

What am I working on?

I think the better question would be what am I not working on!! I have taken a larger look at Days with the Undead: Book Two and Book Three, deciding to explore a few aspects I think would give it a little more depth in certain regards which has resulted in the delay of their release. The story itself is written, it’s just weaving the rest into it to make it extra special. In addition to those, I have a novella in the works dealing with psychosis and its aftereffects. I’m hoping it turns out to be a crazy little horror thriller that makes people keep the lights on at night.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

The main reason is that it’s written by me. My Days with the Undead series is written completely as a series of journal entries so it’s heavy of the narrative, but in a dialogue type of way. Sure the main character might be telling you the story, but she’s doing it in such a way that she’s talking directly to you. It’s hard to get that out of your head when you want to go to sleep.

Why do I write what I do?

I write what interests me and ultimately, what makes me happy. I like to think I’m writing the books I myself want to read, but that’s a little odd considering I wrote them.

How does my writing process work?

Sometimes I plan things to a certain degree, but in others I’m purely freeform, letting the story take me where it wants to take me. Sometimes I get to the end and it’s where I wanted to be, other times I’m way off base but like where I’ve gone. I never know until I’m done and that’s half the fun!

Part of the fun with this pyramid scheme was that I got to ask three other authors to continue carrying the torch after me. I chose them at random and then strung them up by their toes until the acquiesced to my demands. I make it sound more difficult than it was, but I write fiction so I need to make this interesting… Next Monday my victims will be posting about their writing process. Get to know them now:

Brent Abell

Brent Abell resides in Southern Indiana with his wife, sons, and a pug who is a descendant of the Elder Gods.  He has been published in multiple anthologies and eZines, took part in the collaborative novella, The Carnival 13, and has completed his first full novel.  He is currently working on his next novel and novella.  You can hang out with him for some rum, a cigar, and all the latest news at http://brentabell.wordpress.com

D. Alexander Ward

D. Alexander Ward lives with his wife and daughter in the Virginia countryside near the city of Richmond, where his love for the people, passions, and legends of the south was nurtured. While he works a straight job by day, he spends his nights and weekends penning stories of the dark, strange and fantastic.

D. Alexander Ward’s short fiction has appeared in several anthologies including Deadlines, Noxious Fragments, A Quick Bite of Flesh, Horrific History, Shifters: A Charity Anthology, Attack! of the B-Movie Monsters: Night of the Gigantis, The Midnight Diner 4: Wastelands Under the Sun, and O’ Little Town of Deathlehem.

His novella, After the Fire is available from Dark Hall Press and his story collection, A Feast of Buzzards is available from Hazardous Press. Both may be purchased on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. You can catch up with D on his website: http://www.wyrdtales.net/

Kirk Jones

Kirk Jones is an instructor for the State University of New York. His work has appeared in Bellows of the Bone Box from Siren’s Call Publications, Amazing Stories of the Flying Spaghetti Monster from Lazy Fascist Press, and on Bizarro Central. His latest novella, Journey to Abortosphere, was just released by Rooster Republic Press. It is a book about romance, animism, the absurdity of the human condition… and butts. OK, mostly butts. You can find him on his website: http://bizarrojones.com/

If you’d like to take a look at Days with the Undead: Book One is preparation for what’s coming soon, here’s a little more information…

It’s a journal of survival.

Five people set out to escape the Undead who have risen too close to home. Join the emotional and physical struggle as they began on the third day after the awakening of Brooks VanReit, as they are recorded from the point of view of Julie, a former pathologist and part-time survivalist.

Each entry is geared toward helping those who want to help themselves and maybe give a few that don’t a swift kick in the ass. Join our group of survivors on their journey through these Days with the Undead.

It’s currently available on:

Amazon

CreateSpace

Smashwords (Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Sony)

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Apple

 

7 Questions with Cindy Lyle

Today I have the pleasure of featuring an author whom I went to high school with. Her name is Cindy Lyle and since I already know a little bit about her, I’m going to give her the opportunity to tell you all a little bit about herself…

I was born and raised in a small community named Uxbridge. I still live in Ontario, Canada but now I’m further away from my country roots. I miss living on the horse farm where I grew up. It was always so quiet and peaceful and it allowed my imagination to flourish. Mind you my imagination is still as powerful as ever but sometimes living in a city, it takes time to coax it out. I grew up loving fantasy especially dragons and I love writing about them. I love how writing fantasy has allowed me to create my own world with my own characters that I get to grow and love.

When I’m not writing I spend the majority of my time being a full time stay at home mom. It is a job that I absolutely love and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. My 10yr old daughter Hannah keeps me very busy and of course my awesome husband Joe takes up the rest of my time. My family are my biggest supporters and without them I never would have found the courage to follow my dreams. I hope to one day publish the full series of The Creation Chronicles so stick around, the ride is just beginning.

Welcome Cindy! Now let’s get to the questions… Using ten words or less, tell me about your book.

A fantasy story told from a dragon’s point of view.

Sounds interesting. What song would you want to play during the opening credits of your book were it made into a movie? Why?

Demons by Imagine Dragons

I would pick this song because I love it for one and because the opening of the book puts you in the middle of a violent storm and also a glimpse of what’s hiding inside one of the main characters.

Great choice! Who would you want to direct the story of your life? Is there anyone specific you’d like to play you?

JJ. Abrams. Not because my life is anything spectacular, I’m just a geek and I love Star Trek! I have no idea really who I would get to play me. I’ve always liked Jessica Alba; oh and Kate Beckinsale, she kicks ass!

Oh JJ Abrams is an awesome choice! Maybe he has a direct like to Benedict?? What is your writing process? Are you a planner or a pantser? Do you prefer to hand write your works or type them directly into your word processor?

I’m definitely not much of a planner. I usually just sit down in front of my computer and start typing. Everything just seems to flow that way. I do however have a notebook that I scribble notes, character names, plot twists and things like that. If an idea I like jumps into my head that I can’t use right then, that’s when the notebook comes in handy.

What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself: something you wish you knew then that you know now?

Have confidence in myself! I grew up with not much confidence and it prevented me from trying many things that I wished I had. I always I thought that people would laugh at my ideas or that I just wasn’t good enough. Thankfully I gave myself a good swift kick and I’m getting better. It doesn’t matter what people think, it’s what you believe in your heart that matters most. Being a writer has allowed me to express myself in so many ways and it’s a great outlet. I only wish I would have had the courage sooner.

I think that sentiment is echoed by many writers… What are the three books that really inspired you to become a writer?

Umm…I have way more than three! My first fantasy novel was The Elfstones of Shanara by Terry Brooks and I’ve been in love with fantasy ever since. I also love The Dragons of Autumn Twilight (Dragonlance) and The Crystal Shard by RA Salvatore.

Great picks! Now it’s time for the Rapid. Fire. Questions.

• Coffee or tea? TEA
• Cats or dogs? DOGS
• Snow or sun? SUN!!!!!!
• Print books or eReader? PRINT
• Nachos or potato chips? NACHOS
• Baked or fried? FRIED
• Candy or chocolate? CHOCOLATE
• Comedy, Romance, or Horror? HORROR
• Action, Science Fiction, or Animated? SCIENCE FICTION
• Classics or Modern? CLASSICS
• Old World or New World? OLD WORLD
• Sweet or spicy? SPICY
• Comfort or Speed? COMFORT

Thank you Cindy for taking the time to answer my questions!

If you’d like to connect with Cindy, you can find her on Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, her website and her blog!

Now let’s take a little look into The Creation Chronicles: The Dragon Within… Don’t forget that clicking on the cover will take you to Amazon!

Deep within the mortal world of Eiddoril, war rages and the blood of innocents flows freely. Once protected by the four elements—Earth, Fire, Water and Air—Eiddoril was a peaceful, beautiful land. Now, after three hundred years of being ravaged by an evil lord and abandoned by their creators, the people and land of Eiddoril are dying.

In the kingdom of Gareth, an orphan girl is raised as one of the royal family. But when she begins to have vivid nightmares it leads her to question where she really came from. Her questions lead her to Fitch, an old magic user, who helps her discover a shocking truth. Karah is not human, but instead part of a long-forgotten race. Desiring answers, she sets out to uncover the secrets of her past, and defeat the enemy wreaking havoc across the land.

In this fantasy tale, Karah must somehow find the strength to fulfill a destiny that has been forced upon her and discover the dragon within. She cannot fail. The future of creation depends on her.

A Monday for Anything: A Guest Post with R.J. Hore!

Today The FlipSide is featuring a guest post with R.J. Hore, author of The Queen’s Pawn! But before we let R.J. take the floor, let’s get to know him a bit…

Ron can be found sailing on Lake Winnipeg when not writing novels or critiquing for an on-line magazine He won first prize for a Canadian Authors Association short story contest for a ghostly love story, but his preference is for longer works including a recent trio of medieval-style fantasies and the Housetrap Chronicles fantasy detective series through http://www.burstbooks.ca . Supervised by his understanding wife and a large demanding cat, most of his writing efforts continue toward fantasy, with occasional lapses into science fiction and horror.

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | GoodReads | Website

So without further ado, here’s R.J.!

What Sets My Book Apart?

When I wrote The Queen’s Pawn I didn’t have a particular age group in mind. I wrote it as a story I might enjoy reading. I‘ve had good comments from both adults and twelve-year olds. I made the hero an ordinary young man. A farm boy thrust into the city to become a priest, but forced to grow up rather quickly. Mistaken for someone else, he is reluctantly forced to make use of things he learned as a boy on the farm. Unlike most fantasy heroes, he has never held a sword, but he knows how to use an axe. He knows how to hunt and use woodcraft. He is not a lost prince or a king in disguise.

I keep the use of magic in everyday life to a minimum, but I introduce a lot of magical characters or beasts. I wanted to make certain the characters would grow as the story progressed. Many of the characters are not who they seem to be. The central part of the tale is the journey.  I try to add some humorous or lighter touches to a story that will have some darker moments. I want to make the reader smile before I drop the hero in a pit again.

I limited my world-building to what the hero experiences in his travels. What the reader sees is a narrow strip of land where the adventure takes place through a series of highly varied landscapes. The landscapes and background details can become characters by themselves.

I try to develop the other minor characters in the story so that the reader gets some feel for them. The other major actors, the queen, the princess, and the magician all have backstories that give hints of their motivations. The same goes for villains who appear later..

A good story should have interesting villains. They should have reasons for what they want to do. I try to capture or at least hint at that.

If the reader can feel some sympathy, annoyance, for the people in the story, and stay up late turning the pages, then I’ve done my part.

R.J. Hore

Now let’s take a quick peek into The Queen’s Pawn…

Young Harow just wanted to stay on the farm for the rest of his life, but his mother insisted he go to school in the City to study to be a priest. Now the City is in flames and he is racing across unfamiliar countryside trying to get the mysterious and sensuous Queen Reginee and her extremely annoying and very spoiled daughter Desiree-Rose to safety.

Of course there is a rebel army on their heels, black wizardry afoot, and sundry and dangerous creatures and villains, monstrous and common, seductive and evil, lurking along the way. If this were not enough for the youth to worry about, the Queen’s amorous chambermaid and bodyguard Mathilde, a smallish giantess, just wants to get him alone.

Genre: Medieval Fantasy

Recommended Age: 13+

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | GoodReads

And there’s a Giveaway!!

Giveaway Details:

There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:

• GRAND PRIZE:  One winner will receive 5 surprise fantasy eBooks from Champagne Book Group.

Giveaway is International.

Win 5 surprise fantasy eBooks from Champagne Book Group!

7 Questions with Erin Thorne

Today I have the pleasure of featuring an interview with author Erin Thorne. For those of you not yet connected to Erin, let’s learn a little bit about her…

Erin Thorne is a lifelong resident of Massachusetts, where she lives with her family. She writes primarily paranormal fiction, and is the author of Diane’s Descent, a supernatural novella set in a rural New York town, as well as Deals Diabolical, a collection of eight spine-tingling tales. In addition, she’s written a book of short stories encompassing science fiction, fantasy, and the supernatural, titled Behind the Wheel. Ms. Thorne is also a member of the New England Horror Writers Association, a regional organization composed of authors who specialize in horror and dark fiction.

Her work has been featured in Adventures for the Average Woman (now IdeaGems Magazine), Reflections of the End (Author’s Choice Select Anthologies 1), and Canopic Jars: Tales of Mummies and Mummification. She also has a story in the anthology, Willow, Weep No More, released by Tenebris Books.

Welcome Erin! Now let’s delve into the questions. Using ten words or less, tell me about your book.

A haunting thrill ride encompassing science fiction, fantasy, and horror.

Sounds great! What song would you want to play during the opening credits of your book were it made into a movie? Why?

If we’re talking about the title story in Behind the Wheel, I don’t think I’d want a specific song. I’d prefer some well-done theme music with dark, industrial undertones.

Who would you want to direct the story of your life? Is there anyone specific you’d like to play you?

Francis Ford Coppola has done some incredible work, and I’m sure he’d find a way to inject some excitement and suspense into it. I’d love for Cate Blanchett to play me; she has serious stage presence, and an amazing voice.

I love FFC! He would be awesome directing someone’s life! What is your writing process? Are you a planner or a pantser? Do you prefer to hand write your works or type them directly into your word processor?

I tend to be a combination of the two. I outline to a certain degree, and when inspiration hits, I go with it. The outline tends to be more of a bare-bones rough draft, often containing phrases that I’d like to place in the finished text. I almost always hand-write the outlines, then refer to them as I’m typing the story.

What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself: something you wish you knew then that you know now?

I would tell myself to be more assiduous in my writing habits, and to get going on it sooner. I’d also encourage myself to never give up, and to stay true to myself in all situations, not just those pertaining to writing.

Sage advice! What are the three books that really inspired you to become a writer?

There are so many books with which I’ve fallen in love over the years; it would be easier to list three authors that have inspired me. Ray Bradbury’s style touched a chord with me, especially his ability to capture the bittersweet essence of fleeting youth and the magic that can remain. Oscar Wilde wrote several witty, yet touching, pieces, and had a real knack for aesthetic appreciation. Edgar Allan Poe’s stories are imaginative, dark, and haunting, which is why they continue to find new audiences, thus making him an excellent literary role model.

Now it’s time for the Rapid. Fire. Questions.

• Coffee or tea? Coffee.
• Cats or dogs? Cats.
• Snow or sun? Sun.
• Print books or eReader? Print books.
• Nachos or potato chips? Nachos, with a generous cup of that melted fake cheese!
• Baked or fried? I’ll eat just about anything that’s been deep-fried, so I’ll go with the latter.
• Candy or chocolate? Both! Except licorice, which I abhor.
• Comedy, Romance, or Horror? Horror, with a healthy dose of dry humor thrown in.
• Action, Science Fiction, or Animated? Science fiction.
• Classics or Modern? Both; I enjoy the classics more, on the whole, and find many of them to be meticulously well crafted.
• Old World or New World? New World.
• Sweet or spicy? Sweet!
• Comfort or Speed? Usually speed.

Thank you Erin for taking the time to answer my questions!

If you’d like to connect with Erin, you can find her on Twitter, Facebook, Amazon, and her website.

Now let’s take a look at Behind the Wheel: And Other Stories… Clicking on the cover will take you to Amazon!

A family discovers who’s really in charge when they buy a car that drives itself. The characters from a well known fairy tale live on after their story is over. A docile species of farm animal transforms into a pack of ruthless creatures, bent on the destruction of humankind. A werewolf stalks a young girl’s backyard. Tiny pets, rescued from certain doom, are not what they seem. Enter a land of fantasy, and learn more about the hidden side of the world you take for granted…

Sunday Spotlight: Carnage: After the End – Volume 1

Carnage: After the End – Volume 1

(Clicking on the cover will take you to Amazon)

The Apocalypse has come, leaving in its wake small pockets of survivors battling to stay alive; each carving out a new beginning for mankind.

The ten stories in Carnage: After the End – Volume One are the terrifyingly harsh and brutal realities those survivors must face. Each one takes us to a place where humanity’s stragglers are forced to battle with enemies outside of their control; mutant beasts, groups of depraved and desperate people, and the terrifying threat of a dwindling food supply. Their fight for survival gets even more difficult as they search among the tatters of civilization for the will to carry on.

In a world where society has collapsed and terror lurks around every corner, no one can be trusted and nothing can be taken for granted.

Hell has invaded and happy endings are a thing of the past…

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Contributing Authors:
Kimberly A. Bettes, Shane Cashman, Shane R. Collins, Laura Diamond, Rodney James Galley, Michael Griffin, Russell Linton, Adam Millard, Christofer Nigro, and Julianne Snow.