Interview - Heart of a Wolf by K.D. Friedrich

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?

My name is K. D. Friedrich. I live on Long Island about an hour from Manhattan. I started writing about ten years ago and never looked back. Since paranormal romance is my favorite genre to read. It was only natural that I would love to write it. 

What inspired you to write this book?

I got the inspiration for Heart of a Wolf while I was writing book 1 in the series. As I started developing the characters in the first book, Tristan and Winter's story began to take shape as well. I jotted down the ideas and when I finished book 1, I immediately began to write book 2. This is how it usually happens for me. 

Please tell us about your latest release.

Heart of a Wolf takes place ten years after the first book. Supernatural beings are now out in the open. Winter Leery, a witch born with the gift to sooth a shifter's beast, is now a Top Guard, sworn to protect the supernatural community and humans alike. A dangerous job she's kept hidden from her overprotective family for the last decade. But, thanks to a crazed witch and his cruel vampire partner, her secret is out, her estranged mate is back, and her once under-active libido is raging like an inferno.

Tristan MacGlenn screwed up where Winter is concerned. For years, he's ignored his mating heat, refusing to force her return, but now she's disappeared. With his protective instincts raging, he rushes to Long Island's east end to begin the hunt for the one woman he has never forgotten. 


Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?

I like to keep a spreadsheet of my characters with columns for looks, likes, skills, power, relationships, and family. It really helps when you write. Especially, when writing a series. With so many characters, remembering every detail can be difficult.


Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?

I always find interesting things while researching. If anyone looked through my history on my laptop they'd think I was crazy. Science, biology, history, I have researched them all and more. Also, I love to watch the history and Science channels for inspiration.

Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?

World building for a paranormal romance is extensive. You have powers, skills, and abilities not found in reality. However, it's important to maintain the fantasy element while making the characters relatable. I keep spreadsheets of the characters and a list of important aspects. This is necessary to maintain consistency from one book to another. 

With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as stand alones?

For the most part, each book can stand on its own. In every sequential book, I try to add explanations and back story that clear up any confusions for the reader if they jump into the series out of order. 


Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?

I do get writer's block on occasion. Whenever I suffer from writer's block, I turn off the laptop and I turn on my Kindle. Reading helps me relax. When I'm relaxed, the writing flows.

Do you write in different genres? 

I also have a contemporary romance series called, The Heart Falls Heroes. 

When did you consider yourself a writer?

The day I typed "The end" to my first novel. 

Heart of a Wolf

A Wicked Series
Book 2
K.D. Friedrich

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Date of Publication: 3/12/18

Number of pages: 333

Word Count: 92400

Tagline: He's bringing his mate home and he's not taking no for an answer.

Book Description:

It's a whole new world for the supernatural community. Their existence has been thrust into the spotlight and not everyone is thrilled.

Winter Leery has been away from home for ten years. Betrayed by her mate, she sought a new life on the east end of Long Island, New York far away from the pain and embarrassment of his rejection. A witch born with the gift to sooth a shifter's beast, she was recruited, trained, and inducted into the elite guard, sworn to protect the supernatural community and humans alike. A dangerous job she's kept hidden from her overprotective family for the last decade.

But, thanks to a crazed witch and his cruel vampire partner, her secret is out, her estranged mate is back, and her once under-active libido is suddenly raging like an inferno.

Tristan, alpha to his pack, has had his work cut out for him these last few years. With hate groups rising up all over the east coast, mating heat riding him hard, and his father hounding him to claim his mate, he's holding on by a thin thread. Unfortunately, his true mate left him ten years ago and he doubts she'll be back. He screwed up where Winter is concerned. For years, he's ignored his mating heat, refusing to force her return, but now, she's disappeared. With his protective instincts raging, he rushes to Long Island's east end to begin the hunt for the one woman he has never forgotten.

This time, he's bringing his mate home and he's not taking no for an answer.

Amazon

Excerpt Heart of a Wolf

"This was not what I meant, when I said I like it rough," Winter Leery muttered to herself.

Nope, in her sexy fantasies, the bindings that tied her wrists were silk, not rope, and the room smelled of roses, not dust and sweat.

Once again, she tugged at the restraints tying her to the headboard of the minuscule rusty cot. For a group of no-good thugs, they sure knew how to tie a knot. They certainly didn't learn the skill in the Boy Scouts. She doubted morals and merit ran high on her captors’ list of qualities. Based on the way they dodged her defensive moves, she pegged them as military or mercenaries.

Winter's groan echoed against the neutral-colored stone walls. Being stuck in the same position for so long gave her an excruciating cramp in her thigh. In an attempt to ease the ache, she shifted. The change in position offered her momentary relief before the spasm returned.

"I need to get the hell out of here." She gritted her teeth.

Winter wrinkled her nose at the incessant mildew stench clogging her senses. She glanced around at her prison. No windows lined the damp cinder block room. Her only light came from a dangling bulb hovering above her. Rows of rotted wooden shelves clung to the wall on one side. On the other, she found a pile of cardboard boxes. No words or logos decorated the cartons to give her any hint of her location or who might have taken her.

Not one to surrender, she tried to summon her magic and like the dozens of times since they shoved her in this cellar, she found her powers bound by an unseen barricade. Add on top of that, her inability to reach the natural elements and she was as helpless as a human.

Winter shivered. If she had to guess, she'd peg the temperatures in her jail around twenty degrees. Outside, she heard the wind whistling through the trees. Maintaining her body heat had become difficult.

Witches, like most supernatural beings, had the ability to maintain their body temperature regardless of the weather. Even under extreme conditions. But she was tired and drained. Staying warm had snuffed out the little bit of strength she possessed. If she remained in this freezing cellar much longer, she'd die from exposure. Not exactly a fitting way to go for an elite guard.

Tears threatened to spill over her lashes. "Suck it up, soldier," she mumbled to herself. "Think." 

About the Author:

K. D. Friedrich is a writer of Contemporary and Paranormal Romance. A lifelong New Yorker, an overprotective mother (her daughter's words), and an obsessed reader of everything romance. Most days, you can find her hard at work, creating intricate worlds and compelling characters, hot alpha heroes being her favorite. Her novel, Soul Tie Seduction, placed second in the 2013 Golden Palm contest for Paranormal Romance and was a finalist in the 2016 Golden Quill for Paranormal Romance.

Website: www.kdfriedrich.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KDFriedrich_

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kdfriedrich_/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/kdfriedrich

LSBooks: http://www.lsbooks.com/kd-friedrich-c489.php

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorKDFriedrich

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11364747.K_D_Friedrich

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Interview with Nichola Moffat

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?

A bit about me… We’ll I’m twenty years old, I have been writing for six years now, I love to write as I feel I’m exploring my own imagination, I am a film fanatic… Huh, it’s harder than it sounds telling people about me! As for the genre I write in, I write what I love otherwise I doubt it would be any good.

What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires, that fascinates you so much?

I live with my head in the clouds so I suppose it’s the lack of normality that I like. I’m definitely a dreamer. As for vampires, what’s not to like? The ‘average’ vampire in today’s culture is mysterious, smart and, more often than not, tall dark and handsome. And they’re immortal - let’s not forget that part.

What inspired you to write this book?

I just felt it was a story I really wanted to write, the characters had something to say. It’s not that I was inspired to write the book, the story was just there and yearning to be written.

Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions?

I’ll try a lot of names out before I assign one. For a long time most of my characters don’t have names in fact. I won’t look for a specific meaning, in most cases anyway, I just go with what feels right. I alway say I don’t choose the name, the character does.

Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?

I really liked writing about Ollie Conners and I really wish I’d allowed readers to know more about him. It was interesting creating an Angel of Death and I suppose I’d like to explore the concept more at some point.

Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?

It’s like with the names, I don’t decided, the characters and their personalities come to me partly formed and as I write I discover more about them in terms of personality and motivation.

What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?

Without spoilers? I’m not exactly great at that so I’ll just say I like the storm.

Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?

We’ll people can go back  in time for a start! I’d point out that there’s a world between life and death but who am I to claim there isn’t a one in reality too? Other than that, it’s a pretty average world.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?

I do sometimes, but then I just skip to writing a different chapter until I feel ready to complete the one I got stuck on.

Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?

I don’t write the book in order if that counts? I write key scenes first and then simply fill in the blanks.

Do you write in different genres?

I’ve only really dabbled in paranormal and fantasy so far but I’ve got ideas forming for a romance.

When did you consider yourself a writer?

When I had my first short story published though a competition. Having my work published made me suddenly feel like a professional.

What are your guilty pleasures in life?

I’m not really guilty about any of my pleasures! I do love chocolate and films though. Sorry for not being more exciting.

Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?

I’m a film fanatic and as you can imagine I love to read.

What was the last amazing book you read?

The Hunger Games - I’ve read a lot of books since then but none with the same wow factor. I like a story that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page, that’s the mark of a good read.

Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?

I can read anywhere and still lose myself just as easily in the story. I read a lot in bed but I’m a very fidgety person and am always moving spots.

Where can readers find you on the web?

Well, our novel, The Days before, can be found on amazon (Kindle Version and Paper Back Versions) at this link:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007K8DC32

Also on the following websites:

https://www.facebook.com/TheDaysBefore

http://www.softerdreams.com

Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?

Definitely yes

EXERCPT FROM THE DAYS BEFORE:

Emylya headed over to the empty table and began to clear the empty mugs and plates onto a tray. As always, the young boy had pulled his tomato out from his sandwich and left it on the side of the plate. The tray of dishes was balancing precariously on Emylya’s arm as she wiped down the tabletop and straightened up the condiments. On the floor was Mrs Harman’s purse.

“Oh, Katrina!” she called, holding up the purse by way of explanation.

“She’s always leaving something,” Katrina said with a roll of her eyes. She moved towards the windows and glanced up and down the road. Despite it being nearly half past six there was still a surprising amount of people out and about. “Oh, look! I can see her, she stood at the bus stop just over the street. Could you be a doll, Em?”

“Sure thing,” Emylya put the tray back down on the table and untied her apron before running out the door and into the street.

And then there was nothing.

“Emylya Sawyer, eighteen, female, sister, friend, sixth form drop out...” The man peered over his fact sheet and gazed up at Emylya, whose eyes were just beginning to flicker open. His face was covered in a thin layer of red stubble which matched his mop of rugged hair. “Glad to see you’re coming around,” he gave a slight hint of a smile before continuing. “Musician? Loved one? Maybe even a murderer.”

“You know nothing,” Emylya spat and wiped away the blood that ran freely from her cheek.

“Correction, I know much. Though, if denial is your thing, I suppose I could drop it down to just an accomplice to murder. And denial is your thing, isn’t it, Emylya?”

“Who are you?” She pulled herself up to lean on her elbows and peered around the room. She was sitting in a hospital bed, dressed in the usual bland gown. At her sides the machines lay dormant while beyond the swinging doors the hospital appeared dead. She watched them for a second, just willing a less observant doctor to waltz in.

The man grinned, as he did a flicker of knowing burned behind his emerald eyes. “Most would call me Grim, but for you I’ll go by Ollie. And anyway, if I were to go by Grim I’d be one of many. Oh, and I’m not your doctor.”…………

The Days Before

By Nichola Moffat and Lubowa M.Planet

Genre: Fantasy

ISBN: 978-1470153434

ASIN: B007K8DC32

Number of pages: 358

Word Count: 41,188

Purchase Links: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007K8DC32

Book Description:

The days before is a novel of Fantasy and mystery.

In this novel, Ollie Connor is a man with many answers, but his very existence raises many more questions, just as Emylya is about to find out.

When Emylya has an accident which brings her close to losing her life she ends up in Ollie's world, a place between death and life. Back on Earth her body is in a deep coma which she may never wake from. Ollie can change that. He's an Angel of Death and one with an offer to make.

To get the offer means you’ve missed an opportunity, one that could have brought you untold happiness. Emylya can, if she chooses, go back to Earth for thirty days, and try to find her opportunity on the condition she forfeits her life entirely afterwards. Or she can lay back in her coma, and wait. It all comes down to how much she values her forever.

Enter Sam Fisher; he’s smart, handsome and about to burst into Emylya’s life in a riot of colour, taking her on a journey that will change both of their lives forever.

 Author Bio:

Nichola first started writing at the age of fourteen when she was entered into a local essay competition through school. Out of nearly three hundred entrants she came first, her prize being having her work published and receiving a laptop, and having caught the writing bug she has not stopped churning out words since.

By the age of seventeen she'd won another two competitions, had a short story published, won an award for her work and self-published two novels. Despite having a deep love for fiction she has also published  press releases, submitted several articles to a variety of websites and aided the company she previously worked for with business letters, press releases for both newspaper and radio and in-store posters.

Nichola Moffat was born in the United Kingdom where she currently lives at Cornhill on Tweed, Northumberland

http://www.softerdreams.com  

https://www.facebook.com/TheDaysBefore

https://twitter.com/#!/LubowaMP

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007RYT6J8

Interview with C.S. Revlis and Rise of the Vampire Giveaway

1.      Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?

h  From a very young age I have always been imaginative, open to new ideas.  I was inspired to write my first story when I was six years old, “The Little White Bunny.” At that time though, my family was not supportive of my writing.  The focus there was work and money.  So, I was forced to stop writing at home.  Fifteen years later, I got married and through the support of my wife and her family I began writing again.  On November 28^th, 2005 I started “Rise of the Vampire.” (RotV)

2.     What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires, that fascinates you so much?

h  The paranormal has always been a part of my life.  I have experienced it first hand, often being surrounded by ghost activity.  Hawaii is a very haunted place.  The thing that made vampires stand out to me was their inhuman abilities, lust for power and their immortality.  They are fascinating because they can be ruthless and at the same time be quite charming and alluring.

3.      What inspired you to write this book?

h  The games I used to play really piqued my interest in vampires.  Paired with various vampire movies and cartoons, I was inspired to create my own vampire story.

4.     Please tell us about your latest release.

h  “Rise of the Vampire” is an epic vampire adventure that follows the main characters’ journey into a world of chaos, war and survival.

5.      Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions?

h  No, not really.  As I am writing a character will pop into my head.  I see their face and get a feeling for their personality, and then I develop their name.  Sometimes the name pops into my head at the same time as they do.

6.     Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?

h  I think Winston was the most difficult.  I wanted to create a character similar to the main character, but not exactly the same.  Finding a balance between Winston’s sincerity and his boldness was the hardest part.

7.      Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?

h  Yes, Teo Rusae (pronounced Tee-Oh  Roo-say . . . everyone gets that wrong). He is kind of based off of me; you have to read the book to get to know me better.

8.     What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?

h  I really like the fight scenes, but I don’t really have one that is my favorite, I actually have three.  My wife has a favorite part though, a favorite line from the story, she cracks up at it every time:

“You dirty, stinking, nasty little vampire! How dare you.” 

9.     What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes?

h  The swordplay for the fight scenes.  My wife, her sister and I got together with kendo bokken wooden katana’s and had sword fights in the front yard.  It was a lot of fun, but we got a few bumps and bruises bringing it to life.

10.   Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?

h  It is not too different; it could very well be our past.

11.    Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?

h  I get writers block sometimes.  Usually I take a few days off from the novel and work on writing some short stories instead.  I like to take my book and make notes in various locations like on nature hikes, the beach, Mauna Kea, really anywhere that is quiet and peaceful.

12.   Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?

h  I sometimes act out my story during writing.  Sometimes I see the scenes in my head, like a movie, other times I get out of my chair and physically move around acting out the scene.

13.   When did you consider yourself a writer?

h  I always thought of myself as a writer, but when the first copy of my book sold, and then I felt like an author.

14.   What are your guilty pleasures in life?

h  I like food, especially Chinese food and candy.  Also, vacations, especially when we go to theme parks, my imagination really runs wild there.

15.   Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?

h  My greatest passions are for my family and for animals.  I have been playing with some children’s stories about some of my critters, we have lots of pets.

16.   Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?

h  I like to read in my room, where it is sometimes quiet.  Sometimes I will have a critter with me when I read, it is relaxing.

17.   What can readers expect next from you?

h  The next book in the RotV series.  I am hoping for a January 2013 release of that one.

18.   Where can readers find you on the web?

h  I am all over the internet.  I have a website: http://risofthevampire.weebly.com/index.html

There is a forum, blog and links to my Facebook and Twitter.  They are on the Voice of the Vampire page.

19.   Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?

h  Sure.

They waited, for what seemed like hours, then all of a sudden in the far distance they heard loud banging and shouting on the waters.  The enemy was approaching Johnston and they were banging their shields creating a ruckus for all to hear.  As the enemy got closer a small breeze came and lifted the fog so Beau and his army could see.  When Beau looked his eyes widened.  There was a large fleet of enemy ships coming their way.

I have enjoyed this interview; it was a lot of fun.  Mahalo Roxanne, and everyone here at Fang-tastic books.  It has been a great experience, I look forward to talking to you again sometime, happy reading!

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Interview with Mysti Parker

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?

First of all, thanks so much for having me here! For those of you who don’t know Roxanne, she is awesome. I don’t know how she keeps so many irons in the fire, and so well! 

This is my second tour with Bewitching Book Tours. Between this blog, the tour business, her writing, and everything else, she somehow manages to run it all smoothly. My hat’s off to Roxanne!

As for me, I’m a full-time mom of three (four if you count my husband). I earned a biology degree back in 1998, but decided to stay home when we had our first child on New Year’s Eve of 2001. At this point in time, I’m busy keeping my kiddos busy while they’re out of school.

I’ve loved romance ever since the book ‘Jane Eyre’, and fantasy ever since ‘The Hobbit’.  The writing bug bit me in 2009 and told me to write a combination of the two. So I did. And here I am!

What is it about the paranormal, in particular elves, that fascinates you so much?

It all started with a little 45 record and read-along book called “The Hobbit”. Orlando Bloom in his role as Legolas in the film version of Lord of the Rings sealed the deal. Basically, I thought elves needed more screen time. I wanted more than just their portrayal as perfect, whimsical beings. I wanted to dig up the skeletons in their tidy closets.

You can read more about that in a guest post entitled, “Elves Are People Too—A Love Story”, which you can find here: http://blog.sarahmakela.com/2012/06/guest-author-mysti-parker.html

What inspired you to write this book?

Serenya’s Song came about because Jayden was so brokenhearted at the end of A Ranger’s Tale. I really felt bad for him, and decided he needed another chance at happiness. Besides that, I knew I wanted to continue these books as a stand-alone series, so I wanted one character from each book to become the next hero/heroine for the following story.

Please tell us about your latest release.

Serenya’s Song is a story of second chances, for both Serenya and Jayden. He’s moved to Summerwind to escape a broken heart. As fate would have it, he meets the enchanting Serenya Crowe in a tavern called The Wasted Witch. Her piano music and sultry voice instantly captivate Jayden, who just happens to be a musician too (in addition to his role as a secret agent). It’s pretty obvious from the start that these two are the perfect match.

But as usual, nothing comes easy for Jayden. And certainly not for Serenya, either. She’s married to the cruel and manipulative Earl of Summerwind, Sebastian Crowe. From that first encounter in the tavern, things spiral out of control, with Jayden eventually discovering a portal that could spell disaster for the town AND that Serenya is much more than she appears. He’ll have to make the toughest choices of his life, which could cost him more than just a broken heart.

Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions?

I try to base my names off the particular race of the characters. High elves, for instance, will have more formal sounding names, like Caliphany Aranea or Juliana Livendell. Wood elves’ names involve elements of nature, like Jayden Ravenwing, & Zephyrus and Shade Windsong. Half-elves have names that sound half-way human, as in Serenya Barnaby-Crowe or Galadin Trudeaux.

Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?

They’re all pretty equally challenging for different reasons. I do remember having a hard time getting Sebastian Crowe’s character nailed down in this book. He started off as just a big, mean brute. But, on a lovely date night, hubby and I watched the movie “Water For Elephants”, and all of a sudden, I knew exactly what Sebastian was missing. He grew to be a wonderfully complex, manipulative character, and still managed to be sympathetic, even for a villain.

Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?

That would probably be Lillyanne Sawyer, a spunky halfling that also migrated over from A Ranger’s Tale. As Jayden’s partner in the Leogard Intelligence Organization, she really knows how to keep him on his toes. And she’s funny—I was so glad to have her around to lighten up the mood of this rather dark fantasy. 

What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?

Toward the end, there’s a ballroom dancing scene where the voluptuous Alyss, who’s been panting after Jayden from the beginning, cuts in and makes him dance with her. She suggests finding somewhere they can “be alone”. By this time, Jayden’s too much in love with Serenya to even consider sleeping with another woman, AND he’s about to try and save Serenya with a planned covert operation. Alyss just can’t understand why he keeps turning her down…until she comes to her own conclusion. All I can say is that Jayden is forced to take a hit to his ego so Alyss will leave him alone. I still laugh over that scene.

Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?

Tallenmere is a lot like our normal world. They exist on a 12-month calendar, though the months are named for dragons and gods. Their seasons and climates are similar. Civilization is generally medieval in terms of technology, clothing, and transportation.

What makes Tallenmere different are the characters. Along with humans, you’ll find elves, halflings, trolls, goblins, ogres, and races yet to be revealed. Magic is everywhere, but not everyone can utilize it. Bits of “modern” life can be seen now and then. Characters drink coffee as well as tea.  Healers take blood samples and give injections. You might see someone writing with a pencil instead of a quill. Several unique plants and animals call Tallenmere home too, and you’ll see a healthy dose of those throughout the series—the biologist in me just couldn’t resist!

With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as stand alones?

I am writing each book with the intention of them being stand-alone reads. However, one character will move from the preceding book to star in the next, like Jayden. As far as story arcs, in Serenya’s Song, for instance, you’ll see references to what happened in Book One (A Ranger’s Tale), and you’ll even see some other main characters coming back, yet knowing that whole story isn’t pivotal to understanding what’s happening in this book.

But, as my bookmarks say, “I Betcha Can’t Read Just One”!

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?

Oh yeah! With summer here, the series-writing bug is buzzing somewhere else. He must be afraid of the unexplainable noises and screaming from upstairs. So, I’m focusing on writing things for this blog tour and flash fiction. I spend time doing stuff with the kids, or I do one of the gazillion chores that need to be done around here. I’m never bored.

Do you write in different genres?

So far, the only novels I’ve published are fantasy romance, but I’ve written short stories and flash fiction in all sorts of genres.

Do you find it difficult to write in multiple genres?

Not really.  If the writing bug guides me to an idea, I go with it. It’s actually creating a decent final product that’s the difficult part.

Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?

I love my blog and coming up with fun things to do on it, like my May Flash Fiction (MFF) contest and 10,000^th Hit Giveaway. I’m also crazy about my kids, cats, and chocolate.  Currently, my favorite TV shows are American Idol and True Blood. My favorite movie is “How To Train Your Dragon”, with “Ever After” a close second. And I adore a good book that I can’t put down.

What was the last amazing book you read?

I just read Mike Mullin’s Ashfall, which is a teen dystopian novel that I reviewed for SQ Magazine. It kept me riveted, and you can see my review for it July 1 at: http://www.sqmag.com/

Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?

Probably in the car, while hubby is driving. But, I read wherever I get a chance to sit still long enough.

What can readers expect next from you?

Hearts in Exile, Book Three of the Tallenmere Series, will be available (hopefully spring) of 2013. Here’s a blurb to whet your appetite:

In the fantasy world of Tallenmere, fate has a way of catching up with you...

Somewhere, hidden in the waters of the Southern Sea is an island unlike any other. Within the amber glow of its pyrogem-laden cliffs, legend says the very heart of the dragon god Drae keeps the island, and its occupants, alive.

Loralee Munroviel, daughter of Leogard's High Priestess Arianne, had no idea what she would face when she arrived by boat ten years ago and was left alone in exile. All she knew about Draekoria's inhabitants was written in one tattered notebook. Now, her life revolves around keeping Drae's descendants happy. Never once did she imagine being a dragon keeper.

Captain Igrorio Everlyn, known as Sir Robert to his unit of Holy Paladins, has faced his share of hell, battling the evils of Emperor Sarvonn's tyranny and the dark god, Tyr's abominations. But nothing compares to the ten years of hell he's been without Loralee, presumed dead, struck down by a minor version of the Great Plague that took his mother and countless others years ago.

One freak storm changes everything. Now the two of them must fight to reestablish the delicate balance of the island before the dragons take things into their own hands. Through it all, they discover the secrets that kept them, and their hearts, exiled for a decade.

Where can readers find you on the web?

Email: mystiparker@yahoo.com

Unwritten

Twitter: @MystiParker 

Facebook Page 

Goodreads Page 

A Ranger’s Tale: Melange Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble,Smashwords 

Serenya’s Song: MelangeBooks, Amazon

Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?

Certainly. This is from Chapter One, when Jayden first spies Serenya as he steps into The Wasted Witch:

I stepped through the door. Soft piano music and the voice accompanying it—angelic, rich, soulful—stilled my footsteps. I finally made my way inside and slid onto a stool at the bar. The bartender, an aging human with a partly bald head and pot-belly, asked me what I wanted.

 “Gingerroot tea, please.” I couldn’t take my eyes off the ebony-haired girl singing at the piano.

“That’s my daughter, Serenya. Lovely, isn’t she?” He retrieved a teapot behind him, added water, and set it on a small stove.

 “She is.”

 “Where is the one who holds the key? Where is the one who’s made for me?”

I’d heard the song she sang before, but the words had never resonated within me like this. I shifted in my seat. If I listened long enough, I feared her voice could unearth every secret I had. But, I had no intention of leaving now. I liked a good challenge.

“I’ve journeyed high, I’ve journeyed low, to heaven above and hell below.”

 Slightly pointed ears indicated she was half-elven, but she didn’t resemble the proprietor at all. I studied her white skin, pale as the ivory piano keys she commanded so well. Lustrous, black hair fell in waves over her shoulders. Rose red lips wrapped around each word of the song. An irresistible light sparkled in her eyes. Pure joy. I knew that feeling all too well. Very few women had even come close to understanding my passion for music. A familiar longing settled over me like an invisible net.

 The teakettle whistled. The bartender filled my cup. “Haven’t seen you before. Don’t get many wood-elves down here. What’s your name?”

 “Jayden Ravenwing.”

 “Douglas Barnaby. Welcome to the Wasted Witch. New in town or just passing through?”

 “Just moved from Leogard.”

“Then, welcome to Summerwind, too. It’s just a spot in the road, but I think you’ll like it here.”

 “Thanks.”

 He nodded and walked away to serve other customers. The spicy aroma of fresh ginger met my nose as I sipped and listened. Maybe this would be a decent town to reside in after all.

Serenya’s Song

Tallenmere Book Two

by Mysti Parker

Blurb:

In the fantasy world of Tallenmere, no one ever said love was easy...

Serenya Crowe may be a half-elf commoner, but she's no ordinary woman. With the ability to interpret dreams, and a birth defect that forces her to wear gloves, she’s endured small-town gossip and the cruelty of her husband, Sebastian, The Earl of Summerwind. All she's ever wanted is to live a quiet life and raise a family. When she meets the new stranger in town, her world and her heart, are turned upside down.

Wood-elf Jayden Ravenwing is an ex-secret agent who wants nothing more than to forget matters of the heart. He left the bustle of Leogard and his failed marriage to make a fresh start in Summerwind. He never planned to fall in love again, especially with the enchanting Serenya Crowe.

When a strange portal opens on the Crowe property at the edge of town, Jayden is thrown into an investigation, knowing that if he fails, Serenya and everyone in Summerwind may die.

Together, he and Serenya must overcome an ancient evil, and their own inner demons, to save Summerwind and find the love they've always dreamed of.

Amazon

Author Bio:

Mysti Parker is a full time wife, mother of three, and a writer. Her first novel, A Ranger’s Tale was published in January, 2011 by Melange Books, and is the first in a fantasy romance series. Mysti reviews speculative fiction for SQ Magazine and is the proud writer of Unwritten, a blog voted #3 for eCollegeFinder’s Top Writing Blogs award.

Links:

Email: mystiparker@yahoo.com

Unwritten

Twitter: @MystiParker

Facebook Page

Goodreads Page

A Ranger’s Tale: Melange Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords

Serenya’s Song: Melange Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble