Chat with S.K. Andrews Author of Bay of Darkness
Give a warm welcome to S.K. Andrews, author of Bay of Darkness.
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cauldron. Take your choice of a bat wing Chocolate Chip or Pumpkin, or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about S.K. Andrews and her Bay of Darkness.
Why should we read this book/series and what sets you apart from the rest and makes your book/series unique?
There are many psychic heroines in the paranormal genre, but Vivien Kelly in The Kelly Society series also helps other characters open up their psychic ability. Vivien talks about protecting oneself when negative energies are around, and actually discusses a meditative process—all in the midst of murder, supernatural suspense, and romance. Not only does Vivien Kelly tap into her intuitive awareness, which we all have, but dives into her wild, creative, warrior side, which as humans, we all possess as well. I like to call it Personal Power. We each may express our power in different ways and in different degrees, but it helps us achieve our greatest goals in life.
Where do your story ideas come from? If they come to you in the middle of the night, do you get up and write them all down?
My stories are a paranormal movie in my head, because I love the genre and I’m always thinking of new tales to tell. If I don’t write them down, I shall go mad. Just kidding, but sometimes it feels like that. I’m an early morning writer. I can write anytime, of course, but my strongest creative energy flow happens as dawn is breaking. I set my coffeemaker timer the night before and it brews at 5:30am, as I charge up my laptop. Then, I begin typing up a scene I thought about just before going to bed, and as I’m typing, I see the action in my head like my own personal movie. Then, the scene simply keeps going and I keep typing.
Why do you write what you write? e. Contemporary, paranormal, suspense, etc.
Having been influenced by the powerful scripts of Rod Serling and Richard Matheson from The Twilight Zone, I gravitated toward paranormal stories laden with hope. Writing supernatural tales became my passionate hobby, in between life in the theatre. I love to sip hazelnut coffee, while reading a riveting ghost story, or while typing up a chapter of my own focusing on the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity, or evil. Incidentally, my heroine in Bay of Darkness, Vivien Kelly, loves hazelnut coffee. A bit of me thrown in!
Any tips to share with fellow authors/aspiring authors? What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
Getting out of the hamster wheel existence of the day job is very important. Focus on your creative project. Even if you take five minutes and write, paint, read a monologue, stretch your body, bake cookies, crochet, or whatever resonates with you. Then, you can do ten minutes the next night, and so on.
Follow your intuition. After pitching literary agents online and in person at writing conferences, and getting close, but still no luck in taking me on as a client, I finally decided to submit my book to eBook publishers. It was a huge switch for me, because I wanted my own literary agent more than anything, but I allowed myself to follow an intuitive spark. One of those publishers I sent my query letter and first five pages to was the Wild Rose Press. After submitting parts of the manuscript, the entire book, and then working with one of their editors for almost a year, I got my contract! They are wonderful to work with and are in their twelfth year of publishing. If I had been stubborn and not listened to my intuition, I would still be unpublished today.
SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:
Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>
Favorite movie: Scrooge
Favorite book: Sacagawea
Last book read: Glimpse (the Tender Killer)
Favorite color: Purple
Stilettos or flipflops: Flipflops
Coffee or tea: Coffee
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Paperback
Pencil or pen: Pen
Favorite song: September
Streak or not: Not
Favorite dessert: Chocolate
Favorite junk food: Fries
Favorite thing to do to relax: Meditation
Champagne or gin: Champagne
Paranormal or Historical: Paranormal
Wonder Woman or Top Model: Wonder Woman
Favorite TV show: Grimm
Hot or cold: Cold
POV: Third
I’d die if I don’t have: Pets
Review or Not: Review
Tell us about Bay of Darkness.
After witnessing her fiancé’s murder and almost dying herself, Vivien Kelly’s mission is to destroy Dagda—a Celtic God turned demon. As a supernatural dark cloud looms over the Sahara, she finds herself drawn to the Northern California town of Half Moon Bay and a new life as a paranormal cleanser. There Vivien finds Dagda’s creatures tormenting the locals. Her own paranormal cleansing team—The Kelly Society— is born, and the race is on when people around her begin to die.
While banishing a banshee, Vivien meets Neal Harrington—a soul partner who can promise true happiness. But when Dagda’s black vapor creates a New World of darkness, her time is up. Can Vivien abandon everyone she loves and succumb to her past life’s barbaric force to defeat the demon? Her actions not only determine her future—but the future of the modern world.
A sneak peek between the pages of Bay of Darkness.
Announcing her presence, Vivien slapped open palms against the bedroom door. Shrieking stopped as the banshee tried to stab into her intuitive power, not even making a dent.
Julie, I’m here to help. Don’t be afraid. After sending her telepathic message, she felt a definite shift. The young girl now had hope.
Sensing another female entity in the bedroom, Vivien tuned in sharper. A spirit connected to the house stood in front of Julie, also protecting her.
“That horrible noise stopped.” Neal eyed the door urgently. “Is that good or bad? I mean, is Julie safe?”
“Yes, she’s safe. I put a protective light around her.”
Heaving a sigh of exhaustion, he rubbed his temple. “Oh, right—the light thing. This is all so weird.” Neal’s head popped up. “No offense.”
“None taken.” She grinned like a debutant about to dance with the coolest boy in school.
“What now?”
Buy Link:
My Review of Bay of Darkness.
After the death of her fiancé Vivien Kelly discovers her true mission in life and her training begins in Ireland a land steeped in myth and legend. A supernatural dark cloud looms over the Sahara. as she learns the trick of her trade in the Emerald Isle. Does the Celtic God turned demon have anything to do with devastation spreading across the land ? Can Vivien stop his plan to create a New World of Darkness?
This book is full of twists and turns you don’t see coming. When Vivien’s past life collides with her present day life, she and everyone she cares about is set on a course for destruction.
The characters and their situations suck you into the story. The vivid descriptions make you feel like you are right there experiencing the world the story is set in and the roller coaster of emotions with each character. I found myself rooting for them to triumph over evil.
I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it if you love magic, paranormal romance, and fantasy adventures. This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Andrews and it won’t be the last. I look forward to reading more of The Kelly Society Series.
Five Stars for Bay of Darkness.
About the Author STARRA ANDREWS (Writing as: S.K. ANDREWS):
Starra Andrews grew up in Laguna Beach, California, body surfing in the Pacific Ocean, writing fantasy stories, and acting on stage. Having been influenced by the powerful scripts of Rod Serling and Richard Matheson from The Twilight Zone, she gravitated toward paranormal stories laden with hope. Writing supernatural tales became her passionate hobby, in between life in the theatre. She loves to sip hazelnut coffee, while reading a riveting ghost story, or while typing up an exciting new chapter of her own. After attaining a B.A. degree in Theatre from University of California, Irvine, and attending LACC Acting Academy, an idea sparked for interviewing actors to help student actors. Her non-fiction book The Pursuit of Acting; Working Actors Share Their Experience and Advice was published by Praeger Publishers/ABC CLIO. In fiction, her heroine, psychic & paranormal cleanser Vivien Kelly and her team are in a race to rid the modern world of deadly Celtic creatures in her book trilogy The Kelly Society. Bay of Darkness, the first book of the series is currently released through the Wild Rose Press. Starra lives in upstate NY with her two cats, Audrey Hepburn and Vivien Leigh.
S.K Andrews Website:
Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/authorskandrews/posts/?ref=page_internal
https://twitter.com/magicstarra
https://www.instagram.com/starraandrews/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP6dzir_I6LhEIWOYCJQFCw?view_as=subscriber
https://www.pinterest.com/starraandrews/
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Bay of Darkness!
Views: 442
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Bay of Darkenss, fantasy, Paranormal Romance, S.K. Andrews, Starra Andrews by Tena Stetler with 11 comments.
CJ Zahner Author of Project Dream
Give a warm welcome to CJ Zahner, author of Project Dream, just released August 1st, 2019. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about CJ and her Project Dream!
The first chapter of a book can make or break a story. Even if I know what my entire novel entails, I always labor over where to begin. So for Project Dream, I decided to base the beginning of a real-life event that had stunned me.
I have had my share of paranormal experiences. They always leave me with an oh-I-must-be-crazy feeling. Chapter one of Project Dream is based on one of those experiences. Many years ago, a new friend asked if I would like to visit a little side chapel of a Catholic church in my hometown with her. In Project Dream, that chapel is in San Diego, but in real life, that little sanctuary is in Erie, Pennsylvania.
The chapel struck me as lovely. I knelt down beside my friend and immediately began praying. I don’t recall who I prayed for, more than likely it was for one or all three of my kids. Regardless, there I was—I like to say I was minding my own business praying—when I had this swooshing feeling like an angel came down out of the ceiling. I’ve had these experiences before and often ignored what I was feeling, blaming it on my wild imagination. This time, however, the woman, white spirit, ghost, whatever you would like to call her, was relentless. She wouldn’t leave.
I heard her say, quite clearly, “My daughter doesn’t believe in this sort of thing.” She chuckled mildly. Made some other comments about loving her daughter and then just before she left, she opened her arms and showed me the roses.
The dream seemed so real that I was quite shook up. When we were leaving, my friend asked what was wrong.
I said, “You are going to think I’m crazy, but I think the mother of one of those women in that chapel appeared to me.”
Of course, she looked at me like I was nuts. But still shook, I described the things I heard the woman express, and my friend became quiet. Finally, I said, “I know. I’m crazy.”
She asked, “What was the woman’s name?”
I told her I’d seen lots of spirits but I never seemed to get their names right. They usually only gave me feelings or showed me signs. Then I remembered, and said, “oh wait, the woman’s name might have been Rose.”
My friend was quiet for a long time. I was sure she thought I’d lost my mind. The silence was piercing, then she finally spoke. “My mother’s name was Rose.”
And from that true-life experience, I conjured up the entire first chapter of Project Dream.
Now for the dreaded but fun Speed Round, this time two words are allowed:
1.What is your favorite book of all time? Gone with the Wind
- Where do you relax to read? backyard swing
- What sound drives you right up a wall? lawn mowers
- What sound relaxes you? babbling brook
- Favorite drink? coffee
- Walking in the sand, shoes or barefoot? shoes
- Favorite pet? dog
- Snow? Love or hate? neither
- Doing marketing is like nailing jello to the wall.
- Rock and Roll, Country, Jazz or Classical? country
- What can’t you leave the house without? my kindle
- Calendar or not; Paper or electronic? electronic
- Favorite place to write. Presque Isle
- What is your decadent indulgent? eating chocolate
- You’ve just won $1,000.00, you have only 24 hours to spend it, so what will you buy? Books, chocolate, a bottle of wine, and something for my granddaughter
- Plotter or panster? pantser
- Introvert or extrovert? extrovert
- Flight or fight? flight
- Favorite Monster? Bumble
- Magic or Not? magic
Tell us a little about Project Dream:
What happened to the kids in Area-51?
In 2002, the CIA removed teens from detention centers and placed them in a National Security Test Program called Project Dream. Children selected had two characteristics: physical superiority and a sixth sense.
When the awkward, destitute Izzy Jimenez is caught stealing clothes, authorities enroll her for two reasons: Izzy swims like a fish—and she sees angels.
Terrified and alone for the first time in her life, Izzy finds herself in a military school set deep in the belly of a desolate Nevada desert within Area 51. There, she attends classes and learns to perfect her clairvoyance, hoping authorities will allow her to go home. But when she and other students master remote viewing and produce results that stun White House officials, additional children are recruited, and Izzy’s hope of going home dwindles.
Not until the beautiful and popular Rachel Callahan arrives and befriends Izzy does her life become bearable.
Project Dream is a coming-of-age story of teenagers thrown into the most unusual circumstances. Each struggle to survive their time in the desert with the goal of getting out and going home, but—
Can any of them really go home?
A Sneak Peek between the pages of Project Dream
Izzy slid back onto the pew, wondering how she would approach the sad woman.
Revealing the messages the white people relayed always perplexed her. How did she tell someone a ghost followed them around? And more importantly, how did she do that without alarming Mama? She wished her Belo Jimenez had given his gift—curse—of seeing angels to Enrique, not her.
“The gift skipped a generation and fell to you, Izzy,” he once said.
“But Belo, I don’t want your darn-blasted gift.”
Her grandfather had set one long finger against her lips to quiet her. “Listen to the angels, but be careful who you tell. They’ll come for you.”
“Who will come for me?”
Belo had scared the daylights out of her.
“Who?” she asked over and over, but Belo would never respond, which made her worry until hives forced their way out of her skin. Every time she asked, he set a finger against his lips, closed his eyes, and shook his head. So Izzy was darn careful who she told.
She gazed toward the sad woman wearing the simple clothes. The lady had no jewelry and wore no makeup. She looked harmless. Was it safe to tell her?
The woman made the sign of the cross, kissed her rosary beads, and slid back onto the pew to gather her things. The spirit above her clasped her hands and begged.
Izzy sprung onto the kneeler again.
“Mama, may I get a drink of water?”
Her mother leaned toward her, whispering, “Yes, but quickly.”
Izzy darted toward the door; the woman was coming. She stepped into the hall and rushed to the drinking fountain. She sipped water, listening for footsteps.
When the woman neared, Izzy turned. “Hello.”
“Hello.” The woman nodded and walked by.
Izzy closed her eyes and scratched her forehead. If only she had been born with a flowing tongue like Belo said of Enrique.
“Ma’am.” She couldn’t open her eyes when she heard the lady turn. “Did your mother die?”
Oh, that sounded horrible. Why had she asked such a thing? She wasn’t even sure the white spirit was her mother.
“Of lung cancer?” Izzy opened her eyes. “She smoked, right?”
The lady stared but didn’t say a word.
“She says you shouldn’t go to New York City.”
The lady’s face wrinkled. “What?” She sounded cross.
“I’m sorry. It’s—well.” Izzy scratched her nose. She might be breaking into hives. “I saw this lady by you and she kept slashing the letters NYC like you shouldn’t go there and she wouldn’t stop, so I thought I better tell you. She kept doing it over and over and, well, I know she doesn’t want you to go to New York City.”
The woman took a step toward Izzy. The wrinkles melted from her face. “I do have a trip scheduled to New York. Next week. For a conference.”
Goosebumps crawled over Izzy’s skin. Whenever people, real human beings, confirmed what the white people told her, chills spread through her.
The lady stood still, waiting for Izzy to say more.
Izzy scratched and the lady stared.
“What was her name?”
“What?”
“My mother. What was my mother’s name?”
The woman appeared hopeful. She held her breath, waiting. But Izzy didn’t know the woman’s name. She had difficulty hearing the white people. Usually, they simply gave signs.
Yes, signs.
“Oh.” Izzy held a finger up. She remembered the sign. “Rose? Is your mother’s name Rose?”
The chapel door opened behind Izzy, and she heard her mother’s voice. “Izzy, what are you doing?”
“Nothing, Mama.” Izzy sidled down the hall toward her mother.
“I hope she wasn’t bothering you.”
The woman said nothing. She stared at the two of them, a perplexed expression tainting her face. After a time, she left the building without saying more.
“Izzy,” Mama barked. “What were you talking to that woman about?”
“I only said hello to her, Mama.”
Her mother gazed at her skeptically. “Remember what Belo said. Don’t talk to anyone.”
“I didn’t, Mama. I promise.”
“Go collect your things. Your brother called. It’s time to pick him up.”
Izzy hurried back into the chapel and grabbed her coat, missal, and satchel. She smiled and waved goodbye to Jean as she exited.
Eight days later, the World Trade Centers collapsed. Izzy prayed the woman from the chapel had not been inside. She watched for her in church on Sunday and at the chapel during the week when she and Mama went to pray for the people who had died, but Izzy didn’t see the woman.
Three weeks after September 11th, Izzy and her mother visited the chapel on a Sunday evening once again. The lady was sitting in the pew next to the woman named Jean. When Izzy walked in, she heard the lady say, “That’s her. That’s the girl.”
“That’s Isabelle Jimenez,” Jean said.
The woman stood and rushed toward Izzy. Jean followed.
“Mrs. Jimenez?” The lady glanced at Izzy’s mother.
“Yes?”
“Mrs. Jimenez, your daughter saved my life.”
Izzy’s mother made her spend the next two Saturday afternoons praying in church. But it was too late. Saving that woman’s life would prove Belo right.
They would come for her.
Links:
Buy Links:
Amazon http://bit.ly/AMProjectDream
Kobo http://bit.ly/KoboProjectDream
Barnes & Noble http://bit.ly/BandNProjectDream
About the Author:
Addicted to can’t-put-down books, coffee, chocolate & wine. I love my family, friends, and while I’m not a TV-buff, I enjoy news shows and am hopelessly addicted to the Bachelor & Vanderpump Rules. What’s wrong with me? (For Pump fans: one character in Project Dream resembles Tom Sandoval. You’ll have to guess who!)
Website/blog: www.cjzahner.com
Interview Link:
Book Circle Online interview: http://bit.ly/CJZinterview
Social Media links:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cjzahner/
Twitter https://twitter.com/TweetyZ
Facebook http://bit.ly/FBcjzahner
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyndiezahner/
Goodreads http://bit.ly/gProjectDream
BookBub http://bit.ly/BBProjectDream
Book Gorilla http://bit.ly/CJZahnerBookGorilla
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Project Dream!
Views: 458
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged CJ Zahner, Coming of Age, fantasy, Project Dream, Teen & Young Adult by Tena Stetler with 6 comments.
Interview Ashley Pagano Author of The Gauntlet
Give a warm welcome to Ashley Pagano, author of The Gauntlet.
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Ashley and The Gauntlet.
Interview:
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with The Gauntlet!
Views: 293
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Ashley Pagano, fantasy, Supernatural, The Gauntlet, YA Fiction, YA Romance by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Burning Love on Sale by Jana Richards
Looking for a quick fun read? Fellow Wild Rose Press author Jana Richards’ Burning Love is on sale for 99 cents. Burning Love a sweet novella between Iris Jensen who set her kitchen on fire not once but three times and firefighter Riley Benson.
A little about Burning Love:
After causing three cooking fires in her apartment, Iris Jensen finds herself evicted and homeless. She lands on Riley Benson’s doorstep, looking to rent a room in the beautiful old home he’s restoring. It’s only for six weeks until Iris leaves Portland, Oregon for her new job on a cruise ship. Firefighter Riley knows firsthand what a bad tenant she can be. But he needs money to finish the work on the house he loves. And something about Iris pulls at his heart…
Meanwhile, in Heaven, two angels watch over the young lovers. Angelica and Hildegard work in Heaven’s Relationship Division, where angels match mortals with their soul mates. The angels believe so strongly in Iris and Riley’s love that they break Heaven’s rules to help them. Can the angels convince them their love will last a lifetime?
A sneak peek between the pages of Burning Love:
“Renting the room to you is starting to look like one of the smartest things I’ve done lately,” he said with a smile.
Without thinking she set the boxes on the fridge and took his hand. “I’m serious, Riley. I don’t mind telling you how scared I was. Whiskers and I came very close to sleeping on a bench in the park with the other vagrants. So, thank you.”
Riley gently brushed his fingers across her cheek, sending a rush of desire coursing through her body. “You’re welcome. But I know you would have been okay, even if I hadn’t rented you the room. You’re a strong girl.”
Iris didn’t feel very strong at the moment. In fact, she felt as weak as a kitten, and just as vulnerable. She let go of Riley’s hand and gave a shaky laugh.
“Yeah, that’s me. Strong as a marshmallow.” She picked up the boxes of food and turned away, afraid to look him in the eye and make a fool of herself.
“Hey, what’s this?” Riley asked. Iris turned to see him staring at her calendar.
“That’s just a little visual reminder for me. Only five more weeks until I hit the sunshine and you get rid of me.”
Instead of laughing the way she thought he would, Riley continued to stare at the calendar.
“Right,” he said. “Only five more weeks.”
She wanted to ask him if he was okay, but something in his voice stopped her. Surely, he wouldn’t miss her?
About the author:
When Jana Richards read her first romance novel, she immediately knew two things: she had to commit the stories running through her head to paper, and they had to end with a happily ever after. She also knew she’d found what she was meant to do. Since then she’s never met a romance genre she didn’t like. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and historical romance set in World War Two, in lengths ranging from short story to full length novel. Just for fun, she throws in generous helpings of humor, and the occasional dash of the paranormal. Her paranormal romantic suspense “Seeing Things” was a 2008 EPPIE finalist.
In her life away from writing, Jana is an accountant/admin assistant, a mother to two grown daughters, and a wife to her husband Warren. She enjoys golf, yoga, movies, concerts, travel and reading, not necessarily in that order. She and her husband live in Winnipeg, Canada with an elderly Pug/Terrier named cross Lou. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her social media links below:
Social Media Links:
Website: http://www.janarichards.com
Blog: http://janarichards.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JanaRichardsAuthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JanaRichards_
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/janarichards
Amazon UK Author Page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B002DEVWWG
Newsletter Signup: http://janarichards.com/contact.html#newsletter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274Jana_Richards
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jana-richards
Thanks Jan for letting us know about your sale on Burning Love. Wishing you lots of sales!
Views: 270
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Angels, Burning Love, fantasy, firefighters, Humor, Jana Richards, Paranormal by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
