A Midsummer Night’s Blog Hop – Interview with the God of the Sea

Happy midsummer! The blog hop has finally arrived, so without further ado, let’s get right to our interview with Poseidon, of Medusa, A Love Story. Will Sydney gain any insight into the God of the Sea? Or will egos get in the way?


The Interviews!


Gregor Caine + Circe
(Christine Ashworth & Claire Gillian)

Sydney + Poseidon
(Cindy Young-Turner & Sasha Summers)

Caleb + Arland and Kate
(Kinley Baker & Krystal Wade)

Leigh Baxton + Micah Fuller
(Lindsay Loucks & Diane M. Haynes)

Shayla Dormyr + Kara Magari
(Raven Bower & S.M. Boyce)

Kellyn O’Brien + Julianna
(Louann Carroll & Siobhan Muir)

Ivory + Sara Wiley
(Rebecca Hamilton & Sandra Bunino)

Xylia and Landon + Avant
(Avery Olive & Kary Rader)

Asar + Matty Ducayn
(Jean Murray & Wendy Russo)

Our interview is set in a dimly lit tavern called the Silver Eagle. This place is the closest thing to a home Sydney has ever known. But the familiar mismatched tables and chairs and ceiling blackened with years of hearth smoke do little to put her at ease when faced with the prospect of interviewing the god of the sea. A tankard of ale helps, and she’s well into her second when by the time the interview begins.

Her friend, the wizard Vadnae, whose elegant green gown looks out of place in the seedy tavern, just shakes her head. She nudges Sydney. “Why don’t you ask the questions? I’m sure Poseidon is a busy man. Er, god.”

Sydney takes one more swallow of ale. He’s not going to intimidate her. She gives Poseidon her most charming smile and begins asking the questions she’s been mulling over. 

Sydney: So, Poseidon, what kind of special powers do you have as a god? You control the sea, right? Anything else you can do?

Poseidon: Arching an eyebrow and shooting Sydney an amused smile. Anything else? You are amusing. Anything else? Shakes his head. My domain and abilities are beyond mortal comprehension.

Sydney: Do you actually live in the sea in an underwater palace or something like that? Where do you call home?

Poseidon: Tapping his fingers upon the table. I am an Olympian. Home is wherever I so choose. Olympus, the crest of the waves, the bottom of the ocean. He shrugs. Home is a relative term for a deity.

Sydney: What’s the biggest challenge of being a god?

Poseidon: Can a God be challenged? He smiles tightly. My beloved brethren can… vex me from time to time. But such trivialities are hardly challenging.

Sydney: Ever lost a fight then? Lost anything of value? Surely your life isn’t perfect ALL the time. Wouldn’t that be boring?

Poseidon: I am not the God of War – battle is not my domain. And nothing that’s been lost has troubled me overmuch… He pauses, his face hardening. He glances between the women and continues.  Adventure, mischief – these offer me relief from any boredom, I assure you.

Sydney: Since I’m sure you’re going to ask about MY relationships, let’s talk about yours. Anyone special in your life?

He laughs, loudly and for a long time. Do you have any other questions?

Sydney looks amused. Okay then. Gods or mortals. Do you have a preference when choosing that special someone?

He smiles. Mortals are too preoccupied with this sentimental… nonsense. I take what I want. When I am done, I move on. The only thing special about them? I chose them for my affections – however briefly. That is a special honor indeed.

Sydney snorts. You sound like someone I used to know. I’m sure the women feel honored by your brief affections.

Poseidon: He smiles broadly. You remind me of someone as well. Your sharp tongue and bitter words resemble Athena.

Sydney: You must have an interesting family. How well do you get along with the other gods?

Poseidon: He glances at Sydney, then Vadnae, his face blank. We manage well enough, I suppose.

Sydney: If you could be mortal for a brief time, would you do it? Why or why not?

Poseidon: Staring at Sydney in horror. What question is this? A mortal? Why would I wish to be a mortal? He laughs. You are a weak species that is only occasionally entertaining. Next question.

Sydney: How about an easy one. What’s your favorite food? You must have some pretty amazing food in wherever it is you live.

Poseidon: The Gods partake of ambrosia and drink sweet nectar. We do, on occasion, feast on mortal fare, but it – like mortals themselves – is bland in comparison. He sighs then stands. His pale blue eyes rake over the dim tavern, clearly disdainful. I leave you now, enjoy your mortal drudgery.

Sydney looks at Vadnae. Think you can conjure up some of that ambrosia?

Vadnae sighs and shakes her head. How about I just buy you another ale? And next time you want to interview a god, let me talk you out of it.

Now hop along to Sasha Summers’ blog for the second part of the interview, where Poseidon puts Sydney on the spot. You don’t want to miss this one! And then be sure to check out the other participating authors and their character interviews!

To read more about Poseidon and Sydney, check out their respective books!

Thief of Hope


Coming soon: A Midsummer Night’s Blog Hop

I’m so excited to be participating in the Midsummer Night’s Blog Hop, coming on June 21 and organized by soon to be published CMP author Wendy Russo! This blog hop features characters interviewing characters! Wendy threw names into a hat and this is what she came up with:

Cindy Young-Turner + Sasha Summers

Sydney has survived on the streets of Last Hope most of her life through pickpocketing and prostitution. Nineteen now, she’s a resistance fighter supporting a bastard prince. Whatever will she think of Poseidon, the sexy-and-he-knows-it God of the Seas? Hmm….

Do you think Sydney can hold her own against Poseidon (featured in Sasha’s novel, Medusa, a Love Story)? Check back on Thursday to find out!

Happy book birthday – Medusa is out!

I recently featured the cover reveal of Medusa by CMP’s Sasha Summers. Now I’m happy to announce that Medusa is live! Congrats, Sasha! I have an excerpt below to get you even more excited about this new release. Check it out!

The blurb:

It’s said love can change a person. Medusa wasn’t always a monster…

Medusa is ruled by duty, to her Titan father and the Goddess Athena. She’s no room for the tenderness her warrior guard, Ariston, stirs. When Olympus frees her from service, her heart leads her into the arms of the guard she loves… and curses her as the creature with serpent locks.

Ariston goes to war with a full heart… and dreadful foreboding. He learns too late of the danger Medusa faces, alone, and a Persian blade sends him into the Underworld. But death, curses, nor the wrath of the Gods will keep him from returning to her.

Poseidon will use Greece’s war to get what he wants: Medusa. He does not care that she belongs to another. He does not care that she will be damned. He is a God, an Olympian, and she will be his.

“This tragic and beautiful retelling of one of the world’s oldest stories tackles the eternal battle between duty and happiness. Medusa, A Love Story broke my heart then filled in the cracks with joy. Sasha Summers is simply a mesmerizing new talent.”

~Stephanie Dray, Author of the critically acclaimed Song of the Nile

Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90fH7xoZiCo

Get your copy of Medusa here:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1110296522?ean=9781937254513

http://www.amazon.com/Medusa-Love-Story-Sasha-Summers/dp/1937254518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335232676&sr=8-1

Excerpt:

“You asked for an audience, you have it. Now tell me, where do you belong?” Hades’ voice was deep, emotionless.

Ariston swallowed. “Athens.” He met Hades’ gaze, but the God revealed nothing to him.

“Why? You died with honor and glory. Is that not what every soldier wants?”

“My wife…” His voice wavered.

Hades brow lifted slightly. “Lives. You do not.”

“She is in danger.”

“Earthly danger. She is no longer your concern, Ariston.”

“The danger she faces is not earthly, but far from it…” Ariston’s voice was hoarse, his desperation mounting. He took a wavering breath before he began again. “She is everything to me. I am proud of my death, but it means nothing if she is in peril. I must know.” Ariston kneeled. “I beg you. I beg you to return me to Athens.”

Ariston waited, willing himself to be strong.

“Who is this wife?” Hades asked.

“Medusa of Athens.” He paused. “Now of Rhodes.”

Hades was silent, his dark blue eyes regarding him steadily.

“When I die—” Ariston began.

“You are dead,” Hades assured him.

“When I return…die again, I would serve as guardian to Tartarus. I am a skilled warrior, a skill I might offer you.” He spoke with confidence.

“You vex me,” Hades muttered, the slightest crease appearing between his eyes. “You offer this to me for a woman?”

Ariston nodded. “She is worthy.”

Hades was silent again, his eyes shifting to the blue-white flames in the massive fireplace.

“My words do not…adequately express the love I have for this woman. But I cannot leave her. She is at risk. I must return.” The words came without thought. How could he justify such emotion to a God who reviled affection or companionship? “As Olympus has my arm and sword, she has my heart – a mortal, and perhaps weak, heart.”

The room was silent for too long. He would have to fight his way out…

“It is a weakness not reserved for mortals alone, Ariston of Rhodes.” Hades’ words were so soft Ariston feared they’d not been spoken. But Hades continued, strong and clear. “I will return you to your ship so that you may lead your men to victory. Too many have fallen from this war and I would see it end. When that is done, you may go to your wife.” He paused then added, “When you return to my realm, I will have your fealty.”

The God of the Underworld, Lord of Death, gave him mercy? Mayhap there was one God he might serve with honor.

Ariston vowed, “You have it.”

Sasha Summers is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, and travel. It’s no surprise that her books visit times past, set in places rich with legends and myth. Her first play, ‘Greek Gods and Goddesses’ (original title, right?), was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She’s been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she’s doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

Sasha is an active member of RWA and several Texas Chapters. A self-proclaimed movie-addict, she is full of all sorts of useless movie tidbits and trivia.

Find Sasha here:

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sasha-Summers/213036208773108

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5759214.Sasha_Summers

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sashasummers/

Twitter: @sashawrites

Webpage: http://www.sashasummers.com

Cover reveal: Medusa, A Love Story

I’m sharing another beautiful CMP cover today. This one is for Medusa, A Love Story, by Sasha Summers. I’m a big fan of Greek myths and the cover is gorgeous. Looking forward to reading this one!

Medusa blurb:

It’s said love can change a person. Medusa wasn’t always a monster…

Medusa is ruled by duty, to her Titan father and the Goddess Athena. She’s no room for the tenderness her warrior guard, Ariston, stirs. When Olympus frees her from service, her heart leads her into the arms of the guard she loves… and curses her as the creature with serpent locks.

Ariston goes to war with a full heart… and dreadful foreboding. He learns too late of the danger Medusa faces, alone, and a Persian blade sends him into the Underworld. But death, curses, nor the wrath of the Gods will keep him from returning to her.

Poseidon will use Greece’s war to get what he wants: Medusa. He does not care that she belongs to another. He does not care that she will be damned. He is a God, an Olympian, and she will be his.

“This tragic and beautiful retelling of one of the world’s oldest stories tackles the eternal battle between duty and happiness. Medusa, A Love Story broke my heart then filled in the cracks with joy. Sasha Summers is simply a mesmerizing new talent.”~Stephanie Dray, Author of the critically acclaimed Song of the Nile

Check out the book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90fH7xoZiCo

You can find more Sasha at www.sashasummers.com.