Sandy's inspired by the Greek gods

Hi Sandy, welcome to the adventure. Please tell us a little about yourself

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

At the fearless age of seven, I wrote stories. I read them to my classmates. From there I branched out to poetry and my own greeting cards.  As a teen I watched the soap, Dark Shadows. When the series ended, I continued to write the character’s stories.  I laugh now, but I think that’s what hooked me on the paranormal genre.

What inspired you to write your first book?

I’ve always read. Books in general motivated me, but what put my pen to paper was sheer boredom.  My creative muse shrieked to express herself. There was no choice but to write.

What books have influenced your life?

I’m addicted to Pride and Prejudice. I love Stephen King, J. R. Tolkien, but Diana Gabaldon is my all time favorite author. She’s a master of description. I read and re-read her Outlander series.

In which genre do you prefer to write?

Paranormal and fantasy romance.  I hope to one day write a historical romance, but the Greek gods and Vampires aren’t done with me yet.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I never thought about writing as a career when I was younger. I wanted to by a doctor or a therapist or an actor. I wrote over the years, but didn’t make it my career until I was older. 

Can you give us details about your upcoming release?

Thank you for asking. APOLLO’S GIFT is the first in my Greek gods series. It came about in an odd way, total inspiration on the fly. I was pitching another book at a conference and they asked if I had anything else. I pulled APOLLO’S GIFT out of the ether on the spot. Fantastic news, they loved the idea. Now I had to write it.

 APOLLO’S GIFT

 BLURB:

The golden god, Apollo, will pay any price to win the heart of Cassandra, reincarnated, prophetess of ancient Troy. Even his soul.

Cassie Priam is licking her wounds, following her latest romantic disaster. To hell with love, it’s fiction, and she’s done believing in myths.

A snare has been set, and Apollo stepped into it when he wagered with Hades. Gaining Cassie’s love is a herculean task. She refuses to believe he exists, despite her attraction to his chiseled perfection. He’s a dream. The kind that keeps her up at night and invades her thoughts during the day. Why can’t a man like that be real?

But Cassie’s dreams veer into reality as visions of destruction threaten and Apollo appears in the flesh.  Can Apollo and Cassie learn to love, and believe in each other before Hydra levels Athens, and they lose both their lives, and their souls to Hades?

APOLLO’S GIFT is the first novel in the Greek Gods Series. The romantic fantasy centers on Olympian deity and their efforts to gain love while they save mortals from the threat of evil in the form of Hydra.

“Bringing back the Greek hottie like no other, every woman needs a myth like this.”

Krissee Mark, author of The Dark Muse Series.

TAG LINE:  Sometimes love is a gift from the gods.

EXCERPT FROM APOLLO’S GIFT

            Her mind wandered as the slight, graying figure droned. If Cassie couldn’t date Medina, at least she could admire him from a distance at Starbucks. Maybe he’d get to know her over coffee and ask her out. Cassie sat up straight and grinned at the thought. He was a student, that should be respectable enough for her parents. Of course, the idea was silly, but there was nothing wrong with using her imagination as long as her feet remained on the ground.

            “I forbid it.”

            “What?” She scanned down her row. All eyes were focused on Simmons. Was she hearing things? It had to be imagination combined with lack of sleep. Cassie focused on the professor and the way her ancient fingers wrapped around the top of the lectern. Nothing like John Medina’s hands. She’d noticed how he held his cup with nice capable hands, and she’d liked the look of them.

.           “I have decreed, and it is so.”

             The slight accent, his rich tone of voice that held a knife’s edge, and underneath an imperious command. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled. That had signaled warning since childhood, or at least, inconvenience. The last time she’d felt that tingle, she’d hiked up Mount Parnassus.

            Cassie froze in her seat. Once might be imagination, but hearing voices twice could be signs of mental instability. She glanced over her shoulder. “Did you say something?” she asked the two girls seated behind her. One continued to type on her laptop while the other stared down her nose and shook her head. Still Cassie’s neck prickled. What was it? The rumble reminded her of those wicked dreams of Apollo. A rush of heat flooded her face.

            “Cassandra,” the voice whispered into her right ear.

            “Oh no,” she murmured. The seat beside her was empty, or should be. She stared forward, afraid of what she’d see if she turned her head.

            “Look on me.”

            Heart pinging, she gathered courage and turned to face the voice and her fear. Apollo, shimmering with light from his position beside her, golden mane flowing over his brawny, nude shoulders as if blown by a breeze, his eyes blue as the Adriatic, and that smile. No man should wield such a weapon. It turned her legs to mush.

            She shook her head and rubbed her eyes. This couldn’t be happening. He had to be a dream or a figment of her imagination. She refused to acknowledge the Greek god. Had she fallen asleep in class? Cassie trained her attention on Simmons. I am not crazy. It’s sleep deprivation, that’s all.

            “Beloved.” Apollo, clad in a loincloth, his rippling muscles open to inspection, leaned closer.

            This delusion was insistent, but Cassie could be just as stubborn She stared forward. Ignore it and it will go away. It worked with stray dogs. She must have fallen asleep. That had to be the explanation. Wake up, Cassie.

            Apollo caressed her jaw with the tips of his fingers. “Must I convince you of my existence each time?”

            Her heart thumped and her mouth went dry. It’s not real. It’s not real. He pressed a kiss to that sensitive spot below her ear. She shivered. “Oh God,” she murmured. Heat trickled from her neck down to her belly.

            ABOUT SANDY L. ROWLAND

Born and raised in Southern California, Sandy has always loved animals, nature, theatre, and learning. She attended Fullerton College and then married. After multiple moves around the western states while raising three children, they settled in Salt Lake City, Utah.

She’s worked in retail, banking, and graduated from Myotherapy College in massage therapy where she taught, before opening her own practice combined with life coaching.  Sandy’s love of reading and expressing herself through words whispered, actually screamed, until she returned to writing.

Living between the twisted red rock of Southern Utah and the granite mountains of the Wasatch, Sandy explores life with her loving husband and family.  She serves her local chapter of Romance Writers of America, and is an award-winning author of paranormal and fantasy romance.

Her coaching blog, A WRITER’S HEART, can be found on her website: www.sandylrowland.weebly.com

She encourages all to believe in themselves and reach for their dreams.

                                 “Love and success follow the brave.”

• 
  
                       Ovid

http://www.amazon.com/Apollos-Gift-Greek-Gods-ebook/dp/B00B4ES4SQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358922360&sr=1-1&keywords=Apollo%27s+gift+by+Sandy+L.+Rowland

It's also available on Smashwords in all formats.

Viola’s novel explores Lucifer and redemption

Hello Viola, and welcome. Please tell us about your adventure.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I stayed home to raise my two daughters (now age 16 and 12). My husband and I had a deal. When they both were in school full-time, I’d get a year off. Then after that, I’d either go back to school or get a job. In that year, I realized I was a writer. I started taking an online class in Humanities, something I adore, and I kept getting upset at the class for taking time away from writing. A year later I offered to get a job at a local craft store. My husband said, “You already have a job. You’re a writer.”

What inspired you to write your first book?

I started writing Buffy/Angel fanfiction. A scene came to me, a vampire trying to turn a girl because he wanted to give her the greatest gift he knew and she didn’t understand and rejected him. I wrote the scene out and put it away. Four years later, I got stalled on another project (A YA fantasy) and pulled out the vampire scene. Something about it sung to me. That became my 2007 National Novel Writing Month project. 56,000 words later, I had the beginning of what several evolutions later would become THE MARK OF ABEL. In which genre do you prefer to write and why? I love paranormal. Friends have challenged me to write a contemporary romance. I can’t do it. Somewhere a faerie, elf or vampire will show up. I love playing with the paranormal universe. I am a puzzle solver and writing is the best puzzle, because you get to not only solve it, but you create all the pieces.

You’ve recently signed with a publisher. Tell us about your writing journey before and after this point.

I love author Kelley Armstrong. I used to hang around her board. She mentioned she was going to Romance Writers of America’s National Conference in DC that year. That’s where I grew up and at the time I was living in Delaware. I figured if she considered herself a romance writer, then I was probably one. I didn’t want to be all alone at the conference, so I joined the Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter as well as the Maryland chapter. I met some amazing authors who really helped nurture my career. Four years ago, I heard about the Muse Online Writers Conference, a free online writers conference that happens every October (http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/). Through that I learned how to moderate online pitch chats from the wonderful Lea Schizas. I must have heard over 100 pitches through various organizations. 1 1/2 years ago, Lea and I chatted at the conference. She’d heard me pitch to agents at her conference and wanted me to submit to MuseItUp, her company. I jumped at the opportunity. Right before my release day, I came down with shingles, so I’ve had to reschedule my blog appearances.

Thanks for having me.

Who are some of your favourite authors?

Through RWA I have an amazing autograph collection. I got to meet Kelley Armstrong, and by the end of the conference, she knew my name. I was soaring. Through RWA I’ve also met, Jeri Smith-Ready, Rachel Vincent, Nalini Singh, Kresley Cole, JR Ward, and tons of others. I’ve gone to signings for Rachel Caine (I travelled two hours for that one and brought my kids), Richelle Meade and the incredible Neil Gaiman. I’d love to meet Charlaine Harris, Rebecca Zanetti, Patty Briggs, Laurell K. Hamilton and Adrian Phoenix. Then my collection would be complete, for now. I’m always on the lookout for new authors.

Have you ever cried during a movie? If yes, which one and why?

I’m a big cry baby at movies. I cried during the opening of Up. I bawled my eyes out at the end of the most recent Batman. I was a blubbering mess for St. Elmo’s Fire.

Thank you so much for having me. I had a great time. I hope your readers enjoy THE MARK OF ABEL. It was a lot of fun to write. It reimagines Judeo-Christian stories to explore Lucifer and redemption. I love playing with the stories while still being true to the original source material. I’ve used not only the Bible (from Genesis to Revelations, including the Gospels), but extra-canonical work like The Book of Enoch and Alphabet of Ben Sira.

A great deal of research went into getting the heroine’s past lives accurate. If I ever make it big, I didn’t want there to be documentaries about how I messed things up, like happened with the DaVinci Code.

BLURB: Lucifer is fed up with humanity. He created hell to deter evil, but man’s inhumanity is only escalating. He just wants to return home to heaven, but ever since that little problem in the Garden of Eden, the Pearly Gates remain firmly shut to him. It doesn’t help that he’s the first vampire, an abomination in God’s sight. Fortunately, two thousand years ago Lucifer’s estranged brother, Jesus, gave him a prophecy. To fulfill it, all Lucifer has to do is find the right artist, study her artwork and the path back to heaven will be revealed. The artist even bears a symbol so he knows who she is. Too bad she is murdered every time he finds her.

Janie’s a frustrated artist and college art teacher who wants two things—a guy she can show her paintings to and a night without nightmares. Each nightmare plagues her until she paints it. She doesn’t realize these paintings are key to unlocking her destiny, one that could redeem the original fallen angel.

BIO: A very good friend of Viola Ryan in high school said, “You don’t think outside the box. You blow the thing up.”

Sometimes boxes need exploding. That’s why she’s here. She has a whole bag of C4 and isn’t afraid to use it. She’s blessed with people who treasure her eccentricities or at least put up with them. Sometimes the box can be a cozy place. Without some sort of stability, her two daughters’ and her life would be unmanageable. That stability comes from her husband. He’s the rock holding her family together.

On the flip side, his career is anything but stable. He’s a Chief Marine Safety Technician in the US Coast Guard. They’ve lived from Kittery, Maine to Yorktown, Virginia. Fortunately, the moves have all been on the east coast. Then again, the Coast Guard tends to guard the coast. Her oldest daughter (16) was born on Cape Cod, not far from Plymouth. Massachusetts. Her youngest (12) was born in Yorktown, Virginia, down the road from Williamsburg. Viola jokes they’re doing the colonial America tour.

EXCERPT: Keeping Eve in Eden was definitely an act of justice.

In one smooth motion, he kicked up the sword, grabbed it, raised it above his head, and plunged it through God’s back into his heart. He twisted the sword, and God slid down into a crumpled heap at Lucifer’s feet.

“Now it is.” Lucifer held the sword above his head. It didn’t ignite. Who cared? Justice had been served. Little did God know the sword he’d created would be his death.

 Eve appeared next to Lucifer. He couldn’t contain his joy. Now they would fashion the universe how they wanted.

She touched the sword with one delicate finger. Blue flame consumed the hilt, and he dropped it. Before it hit the ground, it disappeared.

“You are not ready for this.” Eve/God’s thoughts held a tinge of disappointment.

Lucifer appeared outside of heaven. A high wall of the same gleaming material as the palace formed around heaven. Eve appeared behind an open gate. Its gleaming bars stretched up and down into infinity until up became down and down became up. It swung shut.

He raced for it, but was too late. The clang echoed in his soul, and he collapsed to his knees.

“You are no longer an angel. You don’t belong in heaven. You must find your way home.” God turned away.

“What am I?” Lucifer rose and sent a burst of energy at the gate. It remained shut.

 “Am I human?” His soul bled at the question and darkness surrounded him. As a human he had nothing to offer Eve. He couldn’t protect her. He couldn’t create another Eden for her. She would beget Adam’s children in pain. Lucifer cringed.

 Eve/God appeared next to him and traced three triangles above his heart, each attached to the other two at the corners of its base to form a fourth triangle in the center. They burned, and he screamed until his voice was raw. He collapsed and gulped fire.

Standing above him, God laid her hand on his shoulders. Pain shot down his back. He reached around, and his hands passed through wings of fire. God ran her hand along his arms. His skin itched, and then burned, as it morphed into swirling red, orange and yellow. With sweat pouring down his face, he allowed God to help him up.

“Your re-creation occurred in fire. This is now your true form. To maintain your angelic powers, you must feed on the intense energy of fire.” A ball of fire appeared on God’s outstretched hand. She shoved this into his heart.

A sharp pain stole his breath, but Lucifer refused to collapse again. He grit his teeth, and his entire body shook.

 “What am I?” He stared at his arms.

 “To maintain free will, you must drink the blood of humanity every three generations.”

God vanished.

 “What am I?” he shouted toward the center of heaven.

 “A vampire.”

Links: http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=516&category_id=69&manufacturer_id=250&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1&vmcchk=1&Itemid=1

http://www.amazon.com/The-Mark-of-Abel-ebook/dp/B00B0FSH9A/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1358130524&sr=8-4&keywords=The+Mark+of+abel

Trailer: I made myself and my husband arranged the music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UayqdSPMFMQ&feature=youtu.be

Frances draws on Scottish heritage for medieval

Hi Frances and welcome. Tell us a something  about your adventure

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I held a copy of my first book with Silhouette Intimate Moments in my hands. The Man for Maggie had won the Clendon Award and that was exciting because it led to publication, but holding that first baby in my hands was like a confirmation that I had made it

How many books have you written, and which is your favourite

My seventh book is just about to be released by Escape Publishing and up until now I would have said my favourite book was LOVE UNDER FIRE The hero – Rowan – appeared in almost all my Jellic Family books and even now I feel I could write him into another book without missing a beat, I know his character so well. But with THE CHIEFTAIN’S CURSE I began a new adventure. My first Scottish medieval romance. This is the book that took me home. The book that reminded me of who I was. Much of the history I used in the ‘Chieftain’ I learned at my grandfather’s knee, so to speak. He was very keen on local history and took me to visit many historic places, some of which I’ve used in my book.

In which genre you prefer to write and why?

Now this is a tough one. Around the time the SIM imprint changed my DH experienced a health crisis and my writing took a back seat. Once it was over I started stretching my wings, trying out new genre styles. An idea would pop into my head and I would go with it. What I didn’t take into account was that publishers have certain programs and if what you have written doesn’t fit, no matter if they like it, too bad. It’s a lesson I need to take to heart – someday. There is always that urge to follow that story idea and see where it leads. That’s what is good about Escape Publishing, they are simply looking for a damn good story. So at the moment I’m working on book two of my Scottish Medieval trilogy and I hope they like it when it’s done.

Can you give us some details about your upcoming release.

THE CHIEFTAIN’S CURSE is set in eleventh century Scotland, two or three decades after the Normans conquered England and during the reign of Malcolm Canmore, the Scottish king who followed Macbeth – and in an aside, I have to say Shakespeare really gave Macbeth a bad name. It was a time of turmoil in Scottish history, but I guess you can say that’s not unheard of. Euan McArthur is clan chieftain and has been cursed by a witch never to have a wife give him the heir he needs to secure his clan’s safety. As the book opens his third wife and son have just died in childbirth and he has decided never to marry again until the curse can be broken. I must admit this is not your usual opening to a romance. Yet in the Chieftain’s Curse it works. The plot is full of intriguing layers, that come from characters who pull you into the heart of the story with a desire to know more.  Not the least of them is Morag Farquhar, my heroine. She is the solution and the problem of the story. I’ll be putting the prologue to the book up on my website for anyone who would like to check it out at www.franceshousden.com

Have you ever travelled to a place and come a way with a story unexpectedly?

I went on a tour of the South Island with my husband and while I was in Queenstown I read in the newspaper of an exhibition of greenstone at a gallery in Greymouth. I’d actually had this story floating around my mind for a while, part of the reason for my South Island visit. I can only say the greenstone on display was magnificent and the ancient greenstone Mere had an aura about them that was unmistakable. While I was in the gallery I found his small book, really small, about two-an-a-half inches by four inches, a history of greenstone. But in that small book I found the main thrust of my story. HEARTBREAK HERO.

Who are your favourite authors?

I have to say all my New Zealand writer friends. There is something about reading of settings that are familiar that adds and extra piquancy to a story. Linda Howard stands out as one of my all time favourites in romantic suspense, Rachel Gibson and Susan Elizabeth Phillips for romantic comedy. Anna Campbell and Stephanie Laurens, not forgetting Victoria Alexander for regencies. Nalini Singh for paranormal and anything else she cares to write. My ambition is always to write well enough to join their league and like our heroines, it's a goal that moves my personal story forward.

Frances Housden www.franceshousden.com THE CHIEFTAIN’S CURSE available from www.escapepublishing.com.au on February 1^st.       

Angela likes the happy-ever-after ending

Welcome Angela. Make yourself comfortable and tell us about your adventure.

Thanks so much, Jean, for inviting me to Adventures in Authorland. 

In which genre do you prefer to write and why?

My philosophy has always been write what you like to read.  If another genre is recommended to me, I’ll read it.  But at the library, bookstore and Amazon, I’m looking at the romance listing.  I like the happy ever after ending.  I’ve watched soap operas for years, so writing romance with twists and turns, but the eventual happy ever after ending just seems natural.

Can you give us some details about your current release?

Magic Moment started about four years ago.  I already had the idea for a hero who goes through life believing he has to be the type of person others want him to be, rather than the person he wants to be.  Chase Donovan is a man who grew up torn between a self-centered, unprincipled father and compassionate, selfless mother.

Then, a colleague of mine, who has children, said she wished that her family could live on just her husband’s income and that she didn’t have to work.  She said since she had to have a full-time job, she had missed out on some important milestones in her kids’ lives.  For example, her oldest daughter took her first steps in day care.  She said she didn’t need a career.  She would be happy just being a volunteer lunch mom at her daughters’ school and going to PTA meetings.      

Some of our colleagues scoffed.  I couldn’t see anything wrong with this woman’s feelings.  That’s how I thought of the character of Laura Roberts, a woman who never aspired for a high-power career, but a simple, unpretentious life as a wife and mother.

The idea of bringing the FBI into their lives, and sending the couple on the run, I needed those twists and turns.  I’ve watched television police dramas and soap operas since I was ten-years-old and the most successful romances, the most interesting storylines, were the ones littered with suspense.

When you are not writing, what are your hobbies, passions, etc?

I read.  I listen to a lot of Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi.  And, baseball.  Or more specifically, my Philadelphia Phillies.  During Baseball season, I even have the radio on, listening to a Phillies’ game, while I’m working on my writing. 

What place inspires you the most?

Places where I lived.  I live in Philadelphia, have spent summers at the New Jersey shore, and went to college in Vermont.  It’s not so much being inspired, but writing about what I know and where I’ve been.  The fictional towns of Magic Lake, where Chase docks his boat, and Sea Tower, where the couple take refuge, are blends of Cape May, New Jersey and Montpelier, Vermont where I went to college.

Do you have any advice for new writers beginning their adventure?

I’m not comfortable giving advice, as in saying to others “you should do this,” but I can tell you what it’s been like for me.  I always keep my mind open to whatever comments others have to make.  I love feedback.   If I think a critic’s advice makes sense, I’ll follow suggestions. 

Have you ever cried during a movie? If yes, which one and why?

I’m very sentimental.  Anything that touches my heart brings tears to my eyes – whether it’s being sad over a tragedy reported on CNN, or hearing O, Holy Night at Christmas, or even being excited for the Phillies’ Roy Halladay as he pitched his perfect game.  But as for movies…a couple of weeks ago, I caught a snippet of The Way We Were.  Although I’ve seen that movie at least a dozen times, the end where Barbara Streisand sweeps a wisp of hair from Robert Redford’s forehead then embraces him, always has me reaching for the tissues. 

Blurb:

When the FBI brings Laura Roberts – a quiet, reserved bookkeeper– in for questioning regarding activities at the warehouse where she works, an uneasy Laura resigns her job – only to be attacked by thugs.

Chase Donovan intends to spend a few peaceful days on his boat getting his head together – and finds a woman being assaulted by two men who say his father told them to do it.

Chase doesn’t want to believe his father could hurt anyone. Laura doesn’t understand why she’s a target. Can they learn to work together to discover the truth – before someone dies?

Excerpt:

As she opened the cabin door, a pleasant, tangy sea breeze tickled her senses. Stiff limbs hindered her movements, but she climbed the stairs to  the deck. The sun blazed in the clear blue sky. The boat teetered, alone, in a vast mass of water. A brisk chill nipped the air, and Laura hugged herself.

“Chase,” she called. No answer. She called his name again, this time her voice having an edge.

He wasn’t in the wheelhouse. She darted back down the stairs. If he had been moving around in the bathroom or “head” as he had called it, she would have heard him.

“Chase.” Panic gripped her. “Chase.”

Her heart pounding, she ran through the narrow corridor and stopped dead in the eating area. Propped up on the stool, he was asleep at the bar with a half-filled liquor bottle and an empty glass. His head rested on folded arms, his breathing deep. A laptop was also on the bar. The monitor was dark, but the yellow light blinked. Laura hit the space bar and print appeared on the screen. Several windows had been minimized.

Clicking on one minimized window, she skimmed the on-screen print and gasped, amazed at the words she read. She clicked another window and saw a search engine page. Chase had been reading articles on women who had been assaulted. Her eyes scanned the list of titles. He had wanted to understand, wanted to know how he could help her. From what she had observed of Chase in the last three years, she never guessed he had this sensitive, compassionate side to his personality. Her perception of Chase had been that of a friendly, but overindulged, self-absorbed playboy.

Who would have guessed?

Bio:

Angela Adams writes and reviews contemporary romances. Her work has appeared in Romance at Heart, Oysters and Chocolate, and The Long and Short Reviews. In December 2011, Whimsical Publications published an anthology, Winter Wonders. Ms. Adams’ short story “Burgers and Hot Chocolate,” was among the collection.

Buying Details:

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Moment-ebook/dp/B0096D6XDA/ref=sr-1-1?D=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348280326&sr=1-1&keywords=Magic+Moment+by+Angela+Adams

Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/magic-moment-angela-adams/113004656?ean=9781440554940

All Romance ebooks

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-magicmoment-995887-237.html 

iTunes

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/magic-moment/id559862434?mt=11

Books-A-Million

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Magic-Moment/Angela-Adams/9781440554940?id=5387281849566

Journey beyond the stars with SE Gilchrist

 Hello SE, and welcome to Adventures in Authorland. Please get comfortable and tell us about your adventure/

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I believe this occurred when I decided to take my writing seriously but I wasn’t sure I would ‘make’ it so deep down inside, I didn’t really believe I was a real writer. In January 2009 I made a commitment to take my passion seriously so I took my first on-line course, the RWA Bootcamp 109 and followed that up by my first attendance at the RWA conference, that year held in Brisbane. Seriously, these two events changed my life.

Suddenly, I was in contact with like-minded people, some of whom were like me, on the threshold of their writing journey, others were established writers with years of experience and achievements and of course, there was everyone in between.

And what was so wonderful at that conference, was that everyone said to me: If you write, you are a writer.’

 How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?

I’ve written about eleven books/stories but my early attempts will never see the light of day. Hard to choose my favourite as I have a tendency to fall for each hero when I am writing that particular story then when I move onto the next one, I fall for him (see how fickle I am?). But since I have to pick, it would have to be Legend Beyond the Stars. This book encompassed a lot of firsts for me. I wrote my first sex/love scene (thank you so very much to the encouragement of the ladies of Bootcamp 109). It was the first single title I’d ever attempted and finished, my first attempt at writing sci-fi (although I’ve been a sci-fi / mythology fan since I could hold a book in my hands). This book also gave me my first placement in a writing contest, it came third in 2011 RWA Emerald Contest.

In which genre do you prefer to write and why?

I love to set my stories in worlds which I invent, futuristic, post- apocalyptic, fantasy with historical settings. The whole deal of world building is fascinating and I love researching for facts, inventions, myths, history anything that I can use or twist it around to suit is challenging, fun and exciting for me.

You’ve recently signed with a publisher. Tell us about your writing journey before and after this point.

My writing journey has so far been a ride and I love it, even the ‘downs’ and challenges.  When I decided to treat my writing seriously I devoured ‘how-to’ books, attended heaps of on-line writing courses and entered contests for feedback.

Attending conferences and writers workshops have been vital to me for motivation and I’ve learned so much through doing so.  From Bootcamp 109 I not only made new friends but I found a writing buddy, Sandie Hudson, who actually lived in my area. Together we ended up forming a local f2f writing group, now called the Hunter Romance Writers (here’s our link http://hunterromancewriters.wordpress.com/).
When one of the members of the RWA erotic loop came up with an idea for an anthology where any member, both published and unpublished could put up a short story for consideration, I joined in. The self-published anthology idea was scraped when Momentum Publishing expressed an interest and we all sent off our stories to Joel for consideration. That moment of receiving notification my story, Paying the Forfeit, had been chosen to be included in the Hot Down Under series is indescribable. A lot of squealing and yelling went on. The series was launched on 1^st November and my story on 1^st December.

At our 2012 conference, another two new e-publishers were announced. So on 10th September I submitted a partial and a 100 word blurb for my sci-fi single title on the new Harlequin Escape website. Kate Cuthbert requested the full on 21st September and on 12th October, I received that special email. My reaction…. Similar to my brain imploding I think. Disbelief, heart pounding, more squealing, running around the house, etc. I must have read that email a hundred times that day. And the days after.
Sometimes I think I’m still dreaming!

Can you give us some details about your upcoming release/s?

Legend Beyond the Stars (to be released by Escape Publishing in January) has hot and passionate romance, dangerous adventure, interesting characters, a dark and dirty secret and plenty of conflict that threatens to drive my heroine and hero apart. I fell in love with this hero and I hope my readers will too. Oh, and I mustn’t forget a crazy alien called, Norman.
Here’s a one sentence blurb :
In a world of uncertainty, where the wrong decision could mean the death of an entire race, the last thing either of these two soldiers expects, or needs, is to fall in love.

I also entered the world of self e-publishing over the holiday break with an erotic fantasy novella, Bound by Love. This story whilst it has fantasy elements is mainly set in Iron Age Britain and is a tale of vengeance being thwarted by unexpected love for the enemy. It’s available at Smashwords and Amazon.

When you are not writing, what are your hobbies, passions, etc?

Spending time with family and friends is a priority but to unwind I love bushwalking, it clears my mind and makes me feel alive. I kayak occasionally when I can find the time and also paint in a very small way. I’ll read anything I can get my hands on and a book is never far from me. The environment, climate change and the welfare of animals are very hot topics for me. I’d also love to be in a position to travel again.

Have you ever cried during a movie? If yes, which one and why?

I’ll weep copiously at any animal movie. No seriously, if anyone remembers Born Free I was so upset when I saw that as a little girl, my father swore he’d never take me to another movie again. Another was the Lion King, I blubbered away at that one, Titantic (what a wonderful love story), Steel Magnolias and My Sister’s Keeper.

Excerpt for Legend Beyond the Stars © S E Gilchrist

Star Time: Darkon Year 6035 – Earth Year 2156

The best way to start a new mission was definitely not lying in an induced hiatus inside a coffin-shaped tube.

Not to mention the agonising awakening to consciousness followed by long hours spent crouched over what passed as a toilet on this alien spaceship. The entire experience made Captain Alana Knight feel as if she had just trekked through the Gobi Desert hauling an armoured tank. She repressed a groan when her stomach muscles gripped hard before releasing.

A shaky breath slipped past her lips as she continued to pace around the cabin. She did an abrupt about-face then retraced her steps, while she rubbed her stiff thigh muscles, her feet heavy like chunks of rock inside her anti-gravity boots. Finally, she stopped to stare at the viewing screen where the darkness of outer space stretched into infinity.

Something was wrong.

She concentrated on tuning out the constant, low whine of the turbines that powered the intergalactic space voyager as it cruised through the black. The background murmurs of the other women as they milled about in restless groups faded.

Yep, something definitely stank.

Ever since she had awakened, disquiet had gnawed at the edge of her mind. Awakened from a hiatus the traders had insisted was necessary to alleviate the rigours of travelling through the Vortex. She frowned. Had it been a ruse? Enclosed in her confining tube, she had been helpless. Anything could have happened to her during those weeks of sleep. She shuddered and flexed her damp hands.

Best not go there.

Not yet, anyway.

She raised a trembling hand and tugged at the shaggy ends of her short, red hair, before pressing her fingers against her temple where pressure built like an over-heated fuel tank just waiting for the moment to explode. Until now, she had refrained from speaking about her doubts but with every hour that passed they travelled further away from home.

Away from safety.

“I sure am not keen on this here meetin’,” muttered the woman at her side.

Alana spared her a quick glance, taking in the hint of fear in her brown eyes, the underlying pallor that gave the woman’s dark skin a sallow tinge. "I’ve got a bad feeling about this, Jess,” she admitted in a low tone.

Jessamine snorted. “I knew it!”

“Hush, please, Jess. I don’t want to start a panic.” Alana sighed. “But, I fear you’re right. There are too many unanswered questions. Not to mention the traders’ strange behaviour in separating us from the men. It’s made us too vulnerable.” And an action that had left her the senior officer in charge of a motley band of unknown women.

“Worse, some of us are not here of our own volition.” Jessamine produced a compu tablet from an enormous satchel slung over her shoulder and waggled it under Alana’s nose. “I’ve done a census as you suggested, Captain, and the facts sure don’t add up.”

Alana twisted her lips into a parody of a smile. “Let me take a wild guess. We’ve got no scientists, doctors, physicists, militia. No geologists, no farmers, no builders ...”

 “Could be those roles are filled by the men, but you don’t think so, do you? Some of the women do have similar qualifications but I’m missin’ a lot of names off the list you gave me. So, what does it mean?” Worry lines bracketed either side of the other woman’s mouth. 

“It means the United Earth Corporation has been duped. My gut tells me there’s no earth-like planet in the next star system for us to colonise.”

Author Bio

SE can't remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hand. Now she writes stories where her favorite words are ...'what if' and 'where'? She combines passionate romance with action and adventure set in dangerous worlds. Her heroines are valiant and know exactly what to do with their alpha heroes. SE enjoys making both of them work hard to be worthy of their 'happy ever after'.

She lives in an urban/country town in New South Wales, Australia and writes in the romance genres of futuristic/sci-fi, fantasy, historical and post-apocalyptic.

Her first release, Paying the Forfeit, a short erotic romance set in a futuristic post-apocalyptic world, was published by Momentum Books on 1st December 2012.

Her second release, a single title, Legend Beyond the Stars, a sci-fi/futuristic hot romance will be released by Escape Publishing on 10th January 2013.

SE has self e-published an erotic novella, Bound by Love, set in a fantasy / Dark Ages Britain on 28^th December 2012.

website - http://www.segilchrist.com

Twitter - @SEGilchrist1
Like SE's facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/SEGilchrist
Her f2f writing group - http://hunterromancewriters.wordpress.com/

Beth Barany - inspired by fairy tales

Hi Beth and welcome,, I must apologise. Blogger seems to be having problems with uploading pictures. Never mind, we'll press on regardless.

Please tell us a little about your adventure 

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I first considered myself a writer at age 7, but in that unconscious confidence we have as kids. My next flash of "I can do this!" came at age 13, when a teacher required us to do a lot of creative writing for class, and I churned out things like a diary of a young girl coming West during the Gold Rush in California. And then, I really felt like a writer, for real, at 18 years old when I consciously journaled each day, and decided that just because I wrote daily I could call myself a writer. After that, my goal became getting published, and I no longer questioned if I was a writer really, but I did wonder if I was a good one. Another question entirely!

What inspired you to write your first book?

I wrote my first novel because I just wanted to prove to myself that I could actually write a novel. I was specifically inspired by a sentence pulled at random from a Virginia Wolff book for a creative writing exercise in a writing group, something about a dog hopping on three legs. That sparked my first novel set in 1850s Paris, France, that will forever remain in the closet. (Though I forever still love Paris and remain fascinated about that time in Paris when most of the grand boulevards were built.)

What books have most influenced your life most?

I would say that the stories that influenced me the most are fairy tales like Jack and the Beanstalk, and other Jack tales, like Jack the Giant Killer. I really liked Jack's courage and adventurous spirit, but, you see, he was a boy, and I'm not. I was upset that all the tales I read were always about Jack. What about girls doing those things? Why was it always boys going on adventures in all the folk tales that were read to me? Wondering that inspired me to start my first fantasy story, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, that started when I was 20 years old, and when I was just starting my adventures.

How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?

I have written three nonfiction books and four novels. Only one of those novels is published, so far. I'd have to say my favorite is always my next book. In this case, it's the one that's coming out next, the second in my YA fantasy series, Henrietta and The Dragon Stone. More on that below. My next favorite book is the first in the series, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer.

In which genre do you prefer to write and why?

I prefer to write fantasy and paranormal, anything with elements of magic and the fantastical. I grew up steeped in fairy tales and folk tales and have always loved these seemingly timeless stories that feel rich in symbolism and yet relevant somehow to our lives now. Anything without magic seems only half-baked somehow. I suppose I see life through a magically-tinted lens.

Can you give us some details about your upcoming release/s?

Sure! My next book out will be Henrietta and The Dragon Stone, due out in March 2013.

This story picks up where Henrietta The Dragon Slayer leaves off and continues Henrietta's adventures with her friends, up against a new scary foe.

Here's the blurb:

Henrietta the legendary ass kicking dragon slayer wants to return to her village with a hero’s welcome. But an unknown sorcerer is after her, her Dragon Stone, and everyone she cares about. Can she claim her newfound powers sparked by the Dragon Stone and keep her loved ones safe, especially her more-than-friend and her stalwart bodyguard, before the sorcerer destroys her and everything in his path?

EXCERPT from HENRIETTA THE DRAGON SLAYER

Chapter One—Invitation

Battle-hardened and brave

Ready for the fight

Henrietta the Dragon Slayer

Swings with all her might

—From the chorus of the Song of the Dragon Slayer

Henrietta strode away from the tavern, fists clenched so hard they hurt. At two paces from the forest edge, the ground crunched in the black night behind her. Even with her ale-fogged brain, she sensed the presence of a man, smelled on him soot, leather and metal, and knew he was armed, but wore no armor.

She didn’t have time for this.

“What do you want?” Henrietta whirled to face the thrill seeker, her long sword drawn, her long red hair whipping across her chilled cheeks. Above her head, the bitter wind keened through the forest trees.

The man hovered five feet-lengths away from her, out of sword reach, his face shadowed by the light of the tavern behind him. “I heard your story back there.” His voice, thick with a foreign accent she couldn’t place, held no compliment. “I hear you’re looking for a new quest.”

“Who gave you that idea?”

“The Song of the Dragon Slayer.” The man’s tone was flat.

So he wasn’t a fan. She didn’t care. She cared that he didn’t move any closer. Empty hands at his sides, a sheathed long sword at his belt, he was broad shouldered and taller than her by half a head.

She re-sheathed her sword reluctantly. “So? What does that have to do with anything? It’s only a song.”

“A song about you. That is why you must come with me now.” He stepped toward her, his face still hidden by darkness.

“No, I must not go with you. Leave me be!” she said annoyed and angry. There was a thrill seeker in every town. Facing him, she stepped back to have room to swing her sword if necessary, her hand waiting on her sword pommel. “There’s plenty of others in that tavern to harass.”

She didn’t want to play “who’s the best warrior” just now. The drink had touched her head more than usual, without its usual lovely numbing affect. “Who are you anyway? No, I don’t want to know. Just leave me be.”

“I am a knight, doing his duty. Assessing.” He didn’t move any closer.

Like she needed to know that. Then she opened her big mouth.

“If you’re a knight, where’s your armor?” As soon as she heard herself, she knew that was a dumb question.

“I do not need armor for this.” He said the words as if she wasn’t worth a gnat on sheep’s berries. “You will come with me now,” he repeated.

He dared to order her?

“I will do no such thing. Weren’t you listening in there?” She gestured toward the tavern where she’d just told and re-enacted her tale. A thrill seeker who ordered her? What was this nonsense? “I did my quest. Now leave me to my peace.”

He didn’t budge his bulky frame. What was he waiting for? A royal invitation to depart?

Heaviness pressed against her chest like an anvil, preventing breath from fully entering her lungs.

She’d done her dragon slaying and military campaigns. Done. Finished. Fini.

“There is much coin and glory for the one who takes the Emerald Dragon’s Dracontias,” the stranger knight said, disdainfully.

How much coin? But that didn’t come out. “The what-ias?”

“Thought you knew everything there was to know about dragons.”

Politeness wasn’t this man’s strength.

“Yah, that’s me. A walking, talking dragon-spouting slayer, at your service.”

The man snorted. Very elegant.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning fantasy author, Beth Barany has been making up fantasy and adventure stories all her life. She writes to empower girls and women with her kick ass heroines who have to save the world against great odds. In her off hours, Beth enjoys walking, capoeira (a Brazilian martial art) reading and watching movies with her husband, author and singer/song writer Ezra Barany. More her novels on her site: author.bethbarany.com.

Beth's books are available on Amazon, Smashwords, Barnesandnoble.com, iBooks, and Kobo. Go here to download a sample of Henrietta The Dragon Slayer: http://www.amazon.com/Henrietta-fantasy-adventure-Kingdoms-ebook/dp/B004P8K292

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