Interview with Sara E. Tall Author of Misfit’s Rise
I had a theater teacher in high school that always talked about the power art has to change people’s lives. I modified something he said into my mantra, “To serve Art, and not be served by Art.” The arts—in all of their forms— have saved my life in a lot ways, even if it was just enjoying a fantasy world or a compelling romance. I want to give back to the arts, or use them to serve and help others the way the arts helped me. The same could be said about me as a person. Though my life has not be easy, and there have been difficult and dark moments, it has been full and rewarding as well. I want to help others experience that same fullness, even if it’s as simple as making them laugh or cry or cheer at something I wrote.
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?
A good 90% of my stories come from dreams I’ve had. So much so that I actually look forward to sleeping because I’m so excited to dream. As soon as I wake up I grab a notebook and write down everything I can remember. Then I spend the whole day figuring out how my weird and nonsensical dream can actually be a story. Usually there’s a scene or feeling that’s so compelling I can’t get it out of my head, and I build the rest of the story around that. The problem is now I have a like a million story ideas, and only so many years before I’m too old to write.
My current novel, Misfit’s Rise, didn’t come from a dream originally, though I have had dreams about it. I created Misfit’s Rise when I was nanny and the kids were sleeping. Those kids are some of the most creative people I’ve ever met, so I’m sure they inspired the story with more than just their sleeping habits.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
DANCE!!!! No seriously, anyone who knows me will tell you I like to dance at the most inappropriate times: at work, in the grocery store, in the street, etc…. Dancing is my go-to when I’m procrastinating writing. I also love being outdoors. Hiking, canoeing, swimming, skiing. All these experiences are as close to magic as I am going to get. One of these days I’m going to make volunteer work a big part of my life, but I’m not that organized yet.
You’ve got a time machine, a cloak of invisibility, and one hour. Where would you go, and what eavesdropping would you do?
As soon as I saw this question I knew I had to answer it, even though I had no idea what I should say. I debated overhearing supposed conversations my male friends had about me, since I’m super curious about what went down, but I decided I was better living in ignorance. Then I thought about overhearing some super infamous person in history, trying to get insights into why they did the awful things they did. But once again, I decided it was best to just live in ignorance. Eventually I decided on Ancient Greece during the Greco-Persian war, to witness the battle between the Spartans and the Persian “Immortals.” Essentially, the battle that inspired the move 300. It’s always been fascinated with that battle. I’ve actually got an idea for a re-telling of the Greco-Persian war in space, but that is way down the line. I’m not sure how much eavesdropping I would do, but the invisibility cloak would help make sure I didn’t skewered in the process.
“There’s the little fire freak.” My eyes shot open. Standing before me was Tanya with her usual wannabes. She was dressed in her predictable mixture of bad-girl-meets-prep, wearing the pigtails only she could pull off as chic and not goody two-shoes.
“What’s the matter? Nothing to say to me?” She stepped forward. “Not even an apology for blowing up my house?”
“Not really.” People always said if you didn’t let bullies get to you, they’d get bored and move on. It was time to put that to the test.
“When did you become an arsonist, anyway?” she took another step. “Was it to deal with your dad leaving you in that ghetto with all the other freaks?”
“My father didn’t leave,” I snapped before I could stop myself. “He’s dead.”
“Oh, I’m sure that’s what your mom told you.” She was right in front of my face now. “But we all know if your daddy was dead, you would have gotten a nice life insurance check and you wouldn’t be so dirt poor.”
At different time I might have laughed at that. I guess it didn’t occur to Tanya not everyone could afford a life insurance policy.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said as I leapt off the bench and shoved my way past her.
“I’m trying to help you, Billie,” she said from behind me. “You and your friends. I know it can be hard coming from nothing.”
Even though I knew I should just keep walking, I whirled around. “You don’t know a thing about us.”
“You know what the number one profession is for girls from low-income neighborhoods?”
The people around us gasped, though the ones trying to look cool laughed. I was almost impressed with Tanya for being that subtle.
I glanced at her Prada bag, my hand twitching. It would be so easy to just rip that thing open. And it would be a lot better than she deserved. But the Officials had told me not to use magic, and I had a feeling my ability to follow their order would affect whether they sent me to the Academy, or to a containment facility.
Slowly, I turned around again. “I’m not listening to you.”
“You and tall-chick might be able to make it, but the chubby one? What guy would pay for a night with that?”
There was more laughter, but I barely heard it as I whirled around and screamed, “Shut up!”
Everything happened too fast. All I knew was that one moment I was glaring at Tanya, breathing hard while she folded her arms and smirked; and the next second the tall, marble centerpiece from the fountain was hurtling toward Tanya’s head.
She screamed and ducked, and the marble spiral crashed down just behind her shoulder. Even though it missed her, it still drenched her and her bag with a splash of murky, icy water.
For a second nobody moved, as everyone’s eyes moved from Tanya, to the wrecked fountain, to me.
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Misfit’s Rise!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Alpha book 1, Fae, magic, Misfits Rise, Sara E. Tall, YA Fantasy by Tena Stetler with 4 comments.
Interview Mary Morgan Author of Trial of a Warrior
Happy holidays to all! Give a big welcome to Mary Morgan, author of Trial of a Warrior, Legends of the Fenian Warriors, Books 3.
Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick
your choice of a Snicker-doodle, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Lets find out a little about Mary and see what her Trial of a Warrior is all about. Thanks for joining us!
Hi Tena! Thanks so much for hosting me on my release day! Let me give you a glimpse behind the scenes for this new book…
I have never had a story developed so quickly as Trial of a Warrior. Princess Abela stunned me one cold winter morning when she stepped forth within my thoughts and Liam’s prison. Uncertainty filled me as I fought against her choice for the heroine. Yet, she refused to leave, and I yielded to her demands. After all, she is royalty.
In the end, it was a perfect match.
Tell us a little about Trial of a Warrior:
Liam and Abela took me on an amazing adventure. I allowed these characters to involve me—the writer—on their epic journey. We also learned that the greatest Fenian Warrior, Aidan Kerrigan, had his own secret. Did I know this important fact? No. The warrior chose not to reveal this particular information until I was almost finished writing the story.
And this is what happens in the life of a writer. Some elements of a story unfold immediately before we hit the first keystroke. However, there are times when you have nothing, and when you sit down to begin, the characters reveal the story to you.
“You met them in the Order of the Dragon Knights. Now, journey to the realm of the Fae and witness their legends!”
A warrior sentenced to die.
On trial for breaking a supreme Fae law, Fenian Warrior, Liam MacGregor has no regrets. He is prepared to accept his sentence—even if it means his death. However, freedom comes in an unexpected manner, and brings with it certain dangers as he travels through the Veil of Ages.
A princess honor-bound to remain hidden.
Princess Abela might be a priestess and the daughter of royalty, but that doesn’t prevent her from doing the unimaginable. She sacrifices duty and honor to set free the man who captured her heart so many years ago. No matter the severity of his crimes, she cannot let Liam die.
A rescue that will bring about a war and divide a kingdom!
In their quest to secure a treaty to forestall Liam’s death sentence, they must fight their desires for one another, as well as the Fenian Warriors sent to capture them.
How about a sneak peek between the pages of Trial of a Warrior?
A tremor of longing to be kissed filled Abela. She should flee this instant, but her feet refused to listen to her mind.
Liam reached out and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. His finger trailed down the side of her neck, and she shuddered. “You have not answered me.”
“Yes,” she replied rapidly.
The smile in his eyes contained a sensuous flame, and she was drawn to him. A soft breeze billowed around them. She ached to press her mouth against his. Just one kiss.
As if reading her thoughts, Liam cupped her chin and stroked his thumb over her bottom lip. “Your mouth begs to be kissed, princess.”
She swallowed and did the unthinkable. “Then kiss me, Liam MacGregor.”
His groan echoed around them as he took possession of her mouth. The kiss sent the pit of her stomach into a wild swirl of delicious sensations. Abela’s body yearned to touch him, so she wrapped her arms around his neck. The contact of his skin against her chest ignited a burning desire for more.
Liam grasped her firmly around the waist with one arm and deepened the kiss. When his silken tongue sought entry, she opened fully to the seduction, tasting wine, apples, and his own scent. His moan resonated deep within her, and she found her body responding to a rhythm as old as the land they lived upon.
Never did Abela imagine the power behind a kiss—seductive, enchanting, shattering, and she craved more.
Buy Links:
Amazon: BarnesandNoble: iTunes: Kobo: The Wild Rose Press:
About the Author:
Award-winning Celtic paranormal and fantasy romance author, Mary Morgan, resides in Northern California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.
Mary’s passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. She spent far too much time daydreaming and was told quite often to remove her head from the clouds. It wasn’t until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling–writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.
If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of magic, then time-travel within the pages of her books.
Social Media Links:
WEBSITE: http://www.marymorganauthor.com
BLOG: http://www.marymorganauthor.com/blog
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/m_morganauthor
FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/MaryMorganAuthor/
GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8271002.Mary_Morgan
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Morgan/e/B00KPE3NWI/
PINTEREST: www.pinterest.com/marymorgan50/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/marymorgan2/
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-morgan
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Trial of a Warrior!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged fantasy, Historical Paranormal Romance, magic, Mary Morgan, Time travel, Trial of a Warrior by Tena Stetler with 16 comments.
Holiday Recipe & A Magic Redemption
Happy holidays to all! I’m so excited today is the release of A MAGIC REDEMPTION, the fifth book in A Demon’s Witch Series. Yippee!! Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick your choice of a Snicker-doodle, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Lets see what A MAGIC REDEMPTION is all about! Also, check out my Holiday Recipe for Fantasy Fudge. Pssst. To celebrate my new release I’m giving away a $10.00 Amazon gift card. Read to the bottom of the post, tell me the name of Synn’s pup in the comments to be entered for a chance to win Thanks for joining us!
A Magic Redemption has been in the process for quite some time. Synn the heroine of the book has wandered in and out of most of the books in A Demon’s Witch Series. Kidnapped as a child, her captors murdered her family and forced her into training as a warrior assassin. When an assignment goes horribly wrong, she sees an escape and exchanges valuable information for protection and takes freedom in Ireland. Gavin Shaughnessy is the publican at his family’s Irish pub. He is certain Synn is meant to be his and isn’t bothered by her past. He must find a way to convince her, their future together is stronger than the dark memories that haunt her dreams.
I always knew I’d have to tell Synn’s story, but had to wait until all the pieces fell into place from the other books in the series. I’m super excited to share her incredible adventure and heart-warming story with you now. I certainly hope you enjoy reading A Magic Redemption as much as I did writing Synn’s tale.
Although A Magic Redemption is the fifth book in A Demon’s Witch Series, it can be read as a stand-alone like all the other books in the series. Before we get into A MAGIC REDEMPTION, a little holiday fun and a recipe!
Twinkle Bright – Elves Secret Santa
Direct from the North Pole, welcome to the Elves Secret Santa party! Here at the North Pole it’s extremely busy, but we still have time for a little holiday fun and shenanigans.
Let me introduce myself. I’m an elf and my name is Twinkle Bright because my elf hat has twinkle lights wound all around the scalloped edge and the pointy top.
I make yummy Hot Chocolate for Santa and the elves from a secret family recipe passed down from generation to generation. My hot chocolate keeps everyone warm and toasty inside at the North Pole. There is even an automatic dispenser in Santa’s Sleigh providing him with hot chocolate during his travels on Christmas Eve. It goes good with the cookies the children leave for him.
While I am mixing up large batches of hot chocolate, I listen to Christmas Carols from a variety of pop, country and rock artists. I always taste each batch to insure it’s up to elf standards. . You would think I’d get tired of hot chocolate, but no — never. I love the steaming chocolaty drink. I usually keep mine in an insulated mug so it stays warm while sampling the cookies in the elves’ bakery. Frosted sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies are my absolute favorites.
Now, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. But you must promise not to tell…anyone.
We do a secret Santa gift exchange around here and this year I got Bob, her job at the North Pole is name checker to make sure Santa has all the correct spellings of the girls and boys. One year she spelled Chrys’ name Chris and wow what an uproar.
Luckily Santa caught it, but we had to rush to change all the tags on her packages. Whew!
I’m getting Elf Bobi a package of 120 different color markers in a jewel encrusted case for marking off the correctly spelled names after she checks them.
Do you think she’ll like that?
Do you like fudge? Great, I’ll share with you my favorite Fantasy Fudge Recipe.
3 cups of sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 – 5 oz can of evaporated milk (do not use sweetened condensed milk)
1 – 12 oz package semi sweet chocolate chips
1 – 7 oz jar marshmallow cream
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
You may add chopped nuts if you wish
Bring sugar, butter and evaporated milk to a full rolling boil in a large saucepan over medium heat, stir constantly
Cook for four minutes or until a candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees.
High altitude takes about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and add chocolate chips and marshmallow cream, stir until melted.
Add vanilla and nuts. Stir until blended.
Pour into a greased 9×13 pan, spread evenly.
Cool completely and cut into squares.
A sneak peek between the pages of A MAGIC REDEMPTION!
He showered, pulled on sweats, and stretched out on his empty king-sized bed. After his long flight, a peaceful sleep came quickly until Synn’s nightmare invaded his dream world. Gut wrenching terror tore through him until he was able to disengage himself from the nightmare. There’d be no phone call this time. For a moment he considered shifting, but he might need a vehicle after arriving at her home. He yanked off his sweats and pulled on jeans, a sweater, donned a coat, and grabbed his keys.
He found her sitting cross-legged on the bedroom floor. Storm curled in her lap. The usually active pup was lying still just peering up at her. When Gavin approached, Storm moved one ear forward and turned her head to look at him. “It’ll be okay, girl.” He knelt in front of Synn, brushed the hair away from her face. A vacant stare met his gaze into her eyes like she was in a trance. This couldn’t be good.
He’d seen her nightmare. Something was trying to control her. He wouldn’t let it happen. Releasing a breath, he took hold of her shoulders. She’d been like this once before. When she came out of it anyone within arm’s reach could be in danger. Though her magic was tempered these days, it wouldn’t be for long… Changing strategy, he repositioned himself behind her, caught her up in a bear hug, and pushed the pup out of her lap. Storm yelped and went grudgingly but refused to leave her side.
“Synn, it’s me Gavin; you’re safe.” He gave her a little shake. Arms and legs began flailing. She let out a blood curdling scream and kept screaming until he thought the neighbors a few miles away would hear and call the police. He held her tightly, sat down on the floor, and pulled her into his lap. “Synn. Synn. You’re all right. We’re at the cottage.” The screams turned to sobs. She leaned her head back and blinked.
Panic seized her. “Gavin, you’ve got to get out of here. He’s coming for me and will kill everyone associated with me, including Storm.” She reached for the pup cuddling her close to her chest. “I’m so sorry. I knew this would never work. I don’t deserve a normal life.”
“That’s enough. It was a nightmare. That’s all.”
She turned her large aqua eyes on him and raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
Available from Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon AU, Amazon CA, Kobo , itunes, The Wild Rose Press, Barnes and Noble Wal-mart.com
About the Author:
Tena Stetler is a best-selling author of award winning paranormal romance. She has an over-active imagination, which led to writing her first vampire romance as a tween to the chagrin of her mother and delight of her friends. After many years as a paralegal, then an IT Manager, she decided to live out her dream of pursuing a publishing career.
With the Rocky Mountains outside her window, she sits at her computer surrounded by a wide array of witches, shapeshifters, demons, faeries, and gryphons, with a Navy SEAL or two mixed in telling their tales. Her books tell stories of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.
Thank you so much for indulging my excitement at the release of my eighth book with The Wild Rose Press and reading a bit about A MAGIC REDEMPTION! I hope you enjoyed the recipe!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Magic Redemption, Fantasy Fudge, Ireland, magic, Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Tena Stetler, Twinkle Bright the Holiday Elf, Urban Fantasy, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Early Holiday Shopping Guide!
Need a little help with Holiday shopping this year? I have just the thing for you N.N. LIGHT’S BOOK HEAVEN HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE!
I’ve teamed up with over forty-five award-winning/bestselling authors to bring you the ultimate Holiday gift guide for any booklover. The best part: It’s an online store. Scroll away and do all your Holiday shopping in one place. Who knows? You might even find a few books you’d enjoy for yourself.
Five of my own books listed there:
Where Warrior Angel, Caden goes, trouble follows until he discovers a badly beaten woman barely clinging to life. Unprepared for the entanglement she brings to his doorstep, will he move heaven and earth to save her?
Not what you’ve come to expect from a Vampire Tale! Join Stefan and Brandy for an exciting romantic fantasy where magic may save the day. But will it be too late?
Even with magic, finding your place in the world proves more difficult than imagined especially when someone is out for revenge.
Journey begins with building a wildlie rescue & rehab center. Along the way, they discover the healing power of love and family.
Magic of family & Friends, a Christmas tale of adventure & true love.
Just click N.N. LIGHT’S BOOK HEAVEN HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE and you’ll be whisked directly to the gift guide. Look around. You may find another one of your favorite authors. What are you waiting for? Times a wasting less than 46 Christmas shopping days left. Tick Tock. Tick Tock!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Adventure, books, Christmas, Gifts, Holiday Shopping, magic by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
