Category: Author interview

Blogger Book Fair Day 3: Interview with Michael Cargill

Moving onto Day 3 of the Blogger Book Fair! Still more great books to be found. Don’t forget to check the main site for more giveaways, events, and new books to discover.

Today I have an interview with Michael Cargill, author of Underneath.

Underneath

Look at the person sitting just across from you. It doesn’t matter whether they’re a loved one, a friend, or a complete stranger.

Now look at their face. Are they happy? Are they sad? Or are they angry? Can you even tell?

How well do you actually know the people closest to you?

Have you ever seen the real person that lies just underneath what you see…?

Book on Amazon US – http://amzn.com/B008C3HIA2
On Smashwords – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/172660

1. Which books/authors have most influenced you as an author and why?

Without a doubt, Stephen King has been my greatest influence.  In school I was mostly reading the Dragonlance fantasy books, and purely by chance I read Pet Semetary when I was about 16 which just blew me away.  His main strength is his ability to create great characters that feel very lifelike.  He knows how to make you ‘feel’ the characters without too much hand holding, and there is always just the right amount of humour as well.

2. If you could meet one of your favorite fictional characters, who would you choose and why?

I’m sitting here thinking “Erm, I dunno” for this one.  Maybe Leland Gaunt, the shop owner from Needful Things.  He’s never out of stock of the things that you really need, which would be handy if I was holding the World Slinky Championships on my stairs and someone’s ‘linky went on the blink.

Batman is pretty cool, so meeting him would be great.  Thing is, I’d be tempted to steal something from his belt and a clip round the ear from Bats would be like getting hit with a hammer.

3. What fictional world would you most like to visit?

Definitely not Gotham City, ‘cos it’s a complete dump, it always seems to be raining, and it reminds me of London.  How about… Middle Earth?  Gandalf is supposed to be a powerful wizard, yet he doesn’t cast so much as a single fireball.  I reckon I could steal everything from his belt before he even knew what was going on, the silly old duffer.

4. What advice would you give your pre-published self, knowing what you know now?

One word: plastics.  No, wait, that’s from The Graduate.  I would actually tell my silly, younger self to take proof-reading more seriously.  As in, it isn’t possible to do it all yourself.  The amount of errors that an author simply can’t see is staggering.

5. We apparently dodged a bullet and avoided the Mayan apocalypse in 2012. But as they say, “winter is coming.” What three things do you want to have on hand when the Others come down from beyond the Wall?

Something that can be used to freeze the oceans, and a pair of ice skates to use to travel across the ice.  A Kindle would keep me entertained until the battery ran out.  I’d be like a really crap version of the Silver Surfer.

Bio:

Michael Cargill is an up and coming author from England. In mid-2011 he published his first book, and has gone on to publish several more.

Although known for his dramatic and engaging stories, he is also a satirist and humorist. He encourages people to take a look at his humorous work

Satire humour website – http://michaelcargill.wordpress.com/
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/MichaelCargillAuthor

Author interview – Jen McConnel

I recently connected online with author Jen McConnel and she was gracious enough to do an interview. Her new adult novel, The Burning of Isobel Key, releases today! Congrats, Jen!

The blurb:

When Lou travels to Scotland, she’s a mess.  She’s twenty-six, unemployed, and unsure of herself.  It doesn’t help that she’s traveling with Tammy, her best friend, who is everything Lou is not.

At first, the trip pushes Lou towards the brink of depression, but then she meets Brian, a handsome local tour guide.  When Brian tells the tourists about the countless witches burned in Scotland, Lou starts to listen.  And when she discovers information about Isobel Key, one of the victims of the seventeenth century, Lou finds renewed purpose.

She sets out to learn the truth of the condemned witch, but she isn’t prepared for the knowledge that waits for her.  Lou must face her demons if she has any hope of righting the wrongs of the past.

Official Book Website | Book Trailer | Reading Guide

Grab Your Copy

Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Goodreads

Barnes & Noble | Createspace

I love the premise of the book! And now let’s move on to our interview questions.

Q: Where were you born? Are you the kind of person who likes to move around a lot, or do you prefer to live in one place?
A: I was born in Michigan, and while I love to travel any chance I get, it’s always good to come back home (which is now North Carolina).

Q: What sparked your interest in writing? How long have you been writing?
A: I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but I think a huge influence is the fact that my mom wrote freelance work when I was a child.  She also co-wrote a history book for young children, and that made it seem possible for me.  I’ve been seriously writing fiction for the past four years.

Q: What provided the inspiration for your novel, The Burning of Isobel Key?
A: I sat down in 2009 to participate in my first NaNoWriMo, and the story just poured out of me.  I’ve traveled to Scotland, and I love history, so I think those things played a huge role in the story itself, but some stories just want to be told.

Q: How long did it take you to finish it? How many drafts did you write before you were satisfied?
A: I “finished” the first draft at the end of that same November.   A year later, I revised and expanded the novel.  In 2011, I worked through an intensive writing class, focusing on Isobel, and in 2012, I finally reached a point where I knew I had to either be satisfied or I would go insane.

Q: How would you describe your path toward publication?
A: I sought traditional publication, querying as many agents as I could find.  I actually did sign with an agent for my YA, but she had a career change, and I decided to try my hand at indie publishing.  So, I guess I’d describe my path as long, curving, and surprising!

Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
A: Write every day.  Don’t question the words that flow out of you: you will have plenty of time to revise later.  Also, read books about writing by other writers: you will find amazing inspiration and comfort there!  If you can, attend writing conferences.  They are a great way to connect with authors and other industry professionals; community is important!

Q: Name a few authors who have inspired you and describe why.
A: Susan Cooper and Neil Gaiman are two of my biggest inspirations, both because of the way they manipulate mythic stories to create something new.  I’d also say that Anne Lamott plays a huge part in my writing process: if you haven’t read BIRD BY BIRD, you need to!

Q: What are you currently writing?
A: I’m working on a novella as a follow-up to The Burning of Isobel Key.  I thought I was done with this story, but the characters had other ideas!

Q: Coffee, tea, or hard liquor? (or all three?)
A: All three, but not all at once! 😉

Q: What books are you currently reading or on your to-be-read list?
A: Too many!!  The coffee table is overflowing.  I am working on HAPPIER AT HOME, the sequel to the amazing HAPPINESS PROJECT.

Q: And now for the bonus fluff question: If you could be a character in your one of your favorite novels, which character would you be and why?
A: That’s a tough fluff question!  I can only pick one?  Okay.  (Pause).  If I could only be one, I guess I’d want to be Morgan in THE MISTS OF AVALON, because I would love to live the life of a priestess (although I’d rather be her for the first half of the book, when things are going well!)

Thanks so much for having me!  This has been so much fun.

Thanks for sharing a bit of your writing life with us! Best of luck with your book!

Jen McConnel first began writing poetry as a child. Since then, her words have appeared in a variety of magazines and journals, including Sagewoman, PanGaia, and The Storyteller (where she won the people’s choice 3rd place award for her poem, “Luna”).

She is also an active reviewer for Voices of Youth Advocates (VOYA), and proud member of SCBWI, NCWN, and SCWW.

A Michigander by birth, she now lives and writes in the beautiful state of North Carolina. When she isn’t crafting worlds of fiction, she teaches writing composition at a community college. Once upon a time, she was a middle school teacher, a librarian, and a bookseller, but those are stories for another time.

Check out Jen’s blog at http://jennifermcconnel.wordpress.com/.

Author interview – Jennifer Wells

It’s been a while since I’ve done an author interview, and I’m excited to welcome Jennifer Wells to the blog today to answer some fun questions. She is the author of two novels, Magick Charm, published in 2010, and Practically Dreaming, which just came out last week.

The blurb:

In a Zodiac-based world, finding a mate is easy. Falling in love is the hard part.

Astrology influences almost everything, from career choice to where people live. Even romantic matches are based solely on astrological compatibility and determined by the infallible Council of Venus.

Animal psychic Tierra has every reason to trust the Council—save one. Her match with fellow Virgo, Evander, works better on paper than in person. But she stubbornly hangs on, believing their relationship will grow and develop, all the while trying to rationalize her feelings for Lachlan.

Veterinarian and Reiki master, Lachlan, hides a secret, which has kept him single for more than two years. This Pisces dreams of a happily ever after with Tierra, but believes it’s impossible for him.

Tierra and Lachlan must confront their doubts, differences, and society’s belief in the Council. Will they defy the odds and choose each other? Does astrological certainty eclipse the chance to fall in love?

Pretty cover and interesting blurb. I’m hooked! And now on to our questions!

Q: Where were you born? Are you the kind of person who likes to move around a lot, or do you prefer to live in one place?
A: I was born in Reading, Pennsylvania (yep, that’s the Reading Railroad from Monopoly!). Since I got married, my husband and I have moved ten times, but I much prefer to stay in one place! We’ve been happily settled in Northern Virginia for eight years.

Q: What sparked your interest in writing? How long have you been writing?
A: I’ve always loved books! When I was a kid, I would create short stories – usually tragic romances or horror tales. After college, I tried my hand at a full-length novel writing with my best friend.

Q: What provided the inspiration for your novel, Practically Dreaming?
A: I love books almost as much as I love animals, so it was a lot of fun to add plenty of four-footed characters to this book! What could be better than adorable dogs and cats… except being able to understand what they’re thinking? My main character is an animal psychic as well as a vet. Sometimes she doesn’t always appreciate knowing her pets’ thoughts, especially when they don’t like the guy she’s dating!

Q: How long did it take you to finish it? How many drafts did you write before you were satisfied?
A: I wrote the first draft in about two or three months. Editing took about five or six passes through the book before I was satisfied with it. I’m a Virgo, which means I’m a perfectionist! It’s always difficult for me to declare something perfect enough.

Q: And congrats on Practically Dreaming launching CMP’s new signature line, Sabian Symbols! How did you approach that project?
A: Since the Sabian Symbols line is inspired by astrology, I relied quite a bit on my favorite astrologer’s help. Luckily, that’s my husband! He always pointed me in the right direction when I bounced ideas off of him. I wanted my characters to act according to their zodiac signs as much as possible. I also added in as many astrology-driven details as I could – some are obvious, but there are some more subtle details only a student of astrology might notice.

Q: How would you describe your path toward publication?
A: It took several years. I couldn’t find a home for my first novel, but the second one was picked up rather quickly. I received The Email while I was on the road on the way to visit my parents for Christmas. It was the best holiday gift I’ve ever received!

Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
A: Never ever give up! It can be a long, difficult process to find the right publisher, but it’s all worth it. Start writing a blog too. It’s a great way to work on your writing, and it’s one of the ways you’ll reach out to your audience once you are published.

Q: Name a few authors who have inspired you and describe why.
A: Stephen King had famously received dozens of rejection letters, but still persevered. He’s the perfect example of what a writer can accomplish by believing in himself. I also love Diana Gabaldon’s work. I admire the way she weaves historical research in her novels and the way her characters become so real.

Q: What are you currently writing?
A: I’m returning to the world of my first book, Magick Charm. I’m writing a short story mystery about the sassy police officer, Megan, and a full-length novel in which the quirky twin, Rachel, finally finds the right guy.

Q: Coffee, tea, or hard liquor? (or all three?)
A: Coffee is necessary to the safety of everyone around me! But I have a tiki bar in my house, so I love to kick back on the weekend with a Mai Tai!

Q: What books are you currently reading or on your to-be-read list?
A: What’s not on my list? I have a pile a mile high, and yet I keep buying new books! A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison and Double Dexter by Jeff Lindsay are at the top of my TBR list. I’m also looking forward to the next Pendergast novel from Preston and Child and the final novel in the Just Breathe trilogy by Kendall Grey.

Q: And now for the bonus fluff question: If you could be a character in your one of your favorite novels, which character would you be and why?
A: Claire from Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. I admit, the eighteenth century world is less than glamorous and certainly dangerous, but the hero, Jamie, is well worth it!

Jennifer Wells has been writing since she was in middle school. When she discovered romance novels in junior high, she knew she wanted to write them someday. Her writing remained a hobby while she studied biology and forensic DNA science. She worked as a molecular biologist and published cancer research before finally leaving the lab and taking up her laptop full time.

She currently lives in Northern Virginia with John, her husband of sixteen years. John is a professional tarot card reader and astrologer. John and Jen have three children who happen to be cats: Josephine, Morgana Madison, and Luna. Jo is a beautiful black Siamese mix who rules the house. MoMo is a possessive Scottish Fold who loves to knead Jen’s hair. Luna is the baby, an affectionate Scottish Fold who thinks her name is “Cute.”

Jen’s website, blog, and contact information can be found at www.jennifer-wells.com.

Author interview – Hildie McQueen

I’m excited to have another great Crescent Moon Press author on the blog today! Hildie McQueen is the author of Desperate Betrayal and the recently released CMP “Little Moon” novella, Desperate Choices. And Desperate Surrender is coming soon! She’s one busy author putting out some amazing books!

The blurb:

Cynden Frasier (Cyn) is a member of a group of immortal warriors, the Protectors, assigned to protect humans in Atlanta, Georgia, the epicenter of a major uprising in demon activity. When Cyn is approached by a beautiful woman in a dirty alley, he is intrigued by the fact that she can see him for what he is, a terrifying demon slayer, and still dares to approach him.

Emma Blake, a half-demon, has to convince Cyn to help rescue her sister from powerful demons. Terrified that the Protector will kill her if he realizes what she is, she still goes against every instinct and approaches Cyn for help. Despite knowing that she is leading them both into territory so wrought with treachery, neither of them may survive.

Can Cyn and Emma overcome betrayal, the ancient rules that prevent Protectors from taking a wife, unless she is his one true mate? And if they do, will it even matter?

Now let’s find out more about Hildie!

Q: Where were you born? Are you the kind of person who likes to move around a lot, or do you prefer to live in one place?

A: I was born in Baja California, Mexico and grew up on the border between Mexico and California, USA.  From my bedroom window in San Diego, I could see Mexico, that’s how close we lived.  Up until moving to Augusta, Georgia sixteen years ago, I had never stayed in one place for too long.  When I was younger, I lived liked a gypsy, moving from place to place. I lived in San Diego, South Carolina, Germany, Texas, Hawaii and even for a short while in Pasadena, California.

Q: What sparked your interest in writing? How long have you been writing?

A: I’ve been a voracious reader my entire life.  My interest in writing came when I began to read paranormal romance.  I wanted to be inside the characters’ heads, know more about what made them and what motivated them.  The only way to do it was obvious.  I began to seriously write romance about five years ago.

Q: What provided the inspiration for your novel, Desperate Betrayal?

A: Inspiration for my writing comes from situations that I daydream up, I took the story from there and drawing from what the characters ‘told’ me.

Q: How long did it take you to finish it? How many drafts did you write before you were satisfied?

A: I wrote Desperate Betrayal in about three months.  The entire editing process was much longer.  Satisfied?  What is that?  Every time I read it, I think…Oh darn I should have written this instead… (Ha, I feel the same way! Not sure I’ll ever be satisfied with my writing.)

Q: And congrats on being one of the first of CMP’s new line of novellas, Little Moons, with Desperate Choices! How did you approach that project?

A: Amazingly, I already had the idea and was hoping that in the future the opportunity to tell Roderick and Rachel’s story would present itself.  Once I saw the opening for it, I rushed to write it since it was floating in my head.

Q: How would you describe your path toward publication?

A: It was a maze, chaotic and disorganized.  How about that?  Like everything I do, I rush head first into things until I get the answer I want.  It’s not the best process, but that’s how I roll.  *laugh*

Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

A: Keep writing, don’t ever stop at one story.  The more you write the better you get at it.  Even after publication, keep writing!!!  Sometimes you have to pull stories out dust them off and polish them to fill a request.

Q: Name a few authors who have inspired you and describe why.

A: Sherrilyn Kenyon – She is an amazing writer with a great gift for storytelling, plus her Dark Hunters are totally amazing males.

JR Ward – She just kicks butt when it comes to vampires. No one can beat the Black Dagger Brothers.  I can read her over and over; I wish I could write like that!

Molly Harper – Vampire Rom Com queen is how I see her. She makes you laugh with her larger than life vamps, weres and the witty companion characters

Q: What are you currently writing?

A: I am writing a paranormal fantasy romance.  Say that three times fast.  The story “Ruling Esland” is about a reluctant king who falls in love with a woman he meets and has an affair with.  Not only does she not know he is the ruler of kingdom she lives in, he doesn’t realize she is the leader of a rebellion against him.

Q: Coffee, tea, or hard liquor? (or all three?)

A: I rarely drink coffee, I drink a lot of tea, my favorite is Earl Grey.  I also love a good southern sweet tea!  My evening drink of choice…a good smooth Scotch Whiskey!

Q: What books are you currently reading or on your to-be-read list?

A: Just finished Lover Reborn, it rocked!

On my TBR list are mostly books written by friends of mine.  Summerland by Elizabeth Cheryl, Perpetual Light by Jordan Rose, Breathless by Cole Gibson, The Never Prayer by Aaron Ritchey, Rise from Darkness by Ciara Knight and Stealing Breath by Joanne Brothwell…oh and how can I forget this book entitled Thief of Hope by Cindy Young-Turner! (*grin*)

Q: And now for the bonus fluff question: If you could be a character in your one of your favorite novels, which character would you be and why?

A: I would be Julian, the leader of the Protectors; he is the most powerful and the one that seems to know where everything is headed.  I want inside his head!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I’m thrilled to be invited, thank you so much for the invite!!

After a jaunt in the Army, living in Texas, Germany and Hawaii, Hildie McQueen settled in Augusta, Georgia. She lives with her wonderful computer wiz, hubby Kurt and two tiny dogs (Pancho & Pepito) and a scardy-cat named Dyson that she hardly ever sees.

Writing has always been a part of Hildie’s life, but about three years ago, when a friend grabbed her and forced her to attend a Georgia Romance Writers, she decided to polish her skills and get serious about it. Now the characters won’t shut up and she’s always itching to get home and onto the laptop to write.

Amongst her hobbies, travel, reading, watching romantic comedies and occasionally scrap booking.

For more Hildie, visit her blog at  www.hildiemcqueen.com.

Author interview – Joanne Brothwell

Today I’d like to introduce you to newly published CMP author, Joanne Brothwell! Her novel, Stealing Breath, sounds great. And look at that beautiful cover! I love the colors.

The blurb:

Deep in the backwoods of North Dakota, Sarah Ross is searching for a missing child when she is attacked by a glowing-eyed, transparent creature. Using mysterious abilities, Sarah escapes, only to run directly into Evan Valente, a handsome, charismatic stranger who helps her back to safety. But why is Evan out in the forest so early in the morning? Sarah learns her eyes bear the mark of the Indigo Child, an evolved human with the ability to feel the emotions of others; unfortunately, her indigo aura is highly desirable to those who wish to steal her powerful essence. Soon, Sarah falls deeply in love with Evan and wants nothing more than to follow her heart, but she can’t ignore the lingering feeling that Evan is hiding a terrible secret. The deeper she digs, the more danger she faces, forcing her to face the darkest, innermost parts of her soul.

Now let’s get to know some more about Joanne

Q: Where were you born? Are you the kind of person who likes to move around a lot, or do you prefer to live in one place?

A: I was born in a very small town in rural Saskatchewan, Canada. I prefer to move around, I get bored in one place too long, unfortunately, my family doesn’t agree. So I’ve been in the same place for four years now.

Q: What sparked your interest in writing? How long have you been writing?

A: I’ve always been creative, and have always made up stories in my mind (Some say I am a daydreamer), but it wasn’t until three years ago that a story in my mind had finally become so unwieldy I needed to put pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard!).

Q: What provided the inspiration for your novel, Stealing Breath?

A: I had been reading about the concept of the Indigo Child for a while, and I find the idea absolutely fascinating. I always thought it would be cool to read about an Indigo Child where their unique talents are really magnified.

Then I heard a story from a co-worker who believes in the Navajo Skinwalker. She told me a tale about how she had a first-hand run-in with a Skinwalker and how scary it was. Her story stuck with me for days, and then the storyline for Stealing Breath suddenly struck me.

I had never heard of an Indigo Child or Skinwalker before. You have me intrigued!

Q: How long did it take you to finish it? How many drafts did you write before you were satisfied?

A: It took three months for the first draft, which was absolutely terrible. I rewrote it so many times I lost count. I’m guessing at least fifty or more over three years. It is now almost unrecognizable from that first draft.

Q: And congrats on launching CMP’s new line of novellas, Little Moons, with Vicarious! How did you approach that project?

A: Vicarious is a prequel to Stealing Breath, based on Sarah discovering her empathic abilities and learning to embrace them. It was such a fun project to write because it was short and sweet. Very satisfying.

Q: How would you describe your path toward publication?

A: Long. I’m sure to others three years seems like an appropriate length of time to get published, but for me, it felt like it took forever. I just kept at it, revising, learning the craft, rewriting. I was quite determined, and luckily, that bull-headed determination paid off.

Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

A: Persistence is key. Make sure you seek out every opportunity to learn as you can and just keep working at making that manuscript shine. Get critique partners, join writing groups, ask for feedback, go to conventions and read, read, read!

Q: Name a few authors who have inspired you and describe why.

A: Cassandra Clare is a fabulous writer. I’ve enjoyed how her writing has evolved and improved from her first book, City of Bones to her latest work, Clockwork Prince. She has such wonderful description and beautifully tortured characters (Jace). I aspire to be as fabulous as Cassandra Clare one day.

Q: What are you currently writing?

A: I’m writing a sci-fi/paranormal crossover called The Fifth Daughter of Eve. Here’s a little blurb:

Adriana Sinclair is an evolutionary mystery. Her blood type matches nothing in modern medicine. When a failed blood transfusion kills her little sister, Adriana discovers she’s a throwback to an original human scientists have coined the “Mitochondrial Eve.”

Adriana is shocked to learn her strange blood type is her family’s most protected secret. Her grandmother is the only key to learning the truth, but dementia has ravaged her memory. Working with spotty clues and partial facts, Adriana is determined to find the truth.

Still reeling from her sister’s death and the subsequent realization of her family’s secret, Adriana struggles to put her life back in order. She finds comfort in Kalan, the new guy whose striking Albino features and friendly manner keep her distracted from the wreck her life has become. Kalan is exactly what she needs right now, even if he does seem a bit too interested in her mysterious bloodline…

Sounds interesting!

Q: Coffee, tea, or hard liquor? (or all three?)

A: Coffee! At least five cups! (Only five? LOL!)

Q: What books are you currently reading or on your to-be-read list?

A: Fifty Shades of Grey. I love this book, which is a surprise to me because I don’t read erotica. But whenever you hear of something big in this industry, I believe it is wise to know what everyone is talking about. I can’t wait to see what happens to the publishing industry because of it.

Q: And now for the bonus fluff question: If you could be a character in your one of your favorite novels, which character would you be and why?

A: Elena from the Vampire Diaries. Who wouldn’t want two drop-dead gorgeous Salvatore brothers drooling over you?

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Joanne Brothwell lives in the country on the Canadian prairie with her family where her stories are inspired by the dead things that appear at her doorstep on a daily basis.

Find Joanne online at: www.joannebrothwell.com.