Interview M.C. Solaris Author of Calypso’s Heart
Give a warm welcome to M.C. Solaris, author of Calypso’s Heart, An Orion’s Order Novel, Book one.
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 MC and Calypso’s Heart.
What inspired you to write?
I can’t logically explain it. During the super blood moon eclipse in January 2019, I literally woke up and began writing bios for my imaginary friends (AKA the characters that were suddenly in my head introducing themselves and sharing their world with me). As soon as I started writing, I couldn’t stop. The words or scenes are in my mind, nudging me to stop whatever I’m doing and write them down immediately. And if I don’t write them down then the urge to whip out the notepad on my phone and release the words onto the page gets stronger and stronger until I do so. This is how Calypso’s Heart was written—me just writing down the story that I saw playing out in my head like a movie.
How long have you been writing?
I’m a brand new author and Calypso’s Heart is my first novel! In December of 2018, I published my first book (non-fiction) under my birth name, Marina Schroeder. A lot of Ignite Your Inner Goddess is basically my journaled notes and diary entries of my very personal women’s health journey. And it’s wholeheartedly different than writing a fiction/romance novel.
As an interesting related side note, I did not plan or imagine that I’d ever be writing a fiction/romance novel! In fact, I was already in the middle of writing my second non-fiction women’s health book…That is, until I woke up during that crazy super blood moon eclipse and started writing Calypso’s Heart.
Do you see yourself in your characters?
In some ways and with certain characters, yes, I do see some relatable similarities. But there are also many qualities and characteristics that are wholeheartedly not me too. For example, Caly and I both love music, morning drinks, and romance books (Oh, and we both love the hot alpha wolf, Blake! 😉 ). On the other hand, Caly lived alone (which I’ve never done nor do I foresee myself ever doing) and without giving away the story, she makes some decisions that I don’t think I would ever do.
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?
I kind of already alluded to this but the stories just come to me. Some come in dreams. Some come right when I wake up (in that magical state of mind between sleep and awake). Some come when I’m at the grocery store or in the middle of a workout. Funny story, the cover for Calypso’s Heart actually came to me when I was on the phone with my sister and stepping up a storm on the StairMaster. Of course, I take inspiration from everyday life but the stories themselves seem to have a mind of their own and are definitely in the driver’s seat. Oh, and yes, whenever the scene pops into my head, I stop whatever I’m doing and immediately write it down, no matter what time it is or where I am.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Reading romance novels (duh!), eating yummy foods, walking on the beach, and swimming in the ocean. Oh, and playing with my furbabies (3 cats who love to run around with a random spurt of energy at 4am lol 😉 ).
Sexy shifters. Hot vampires. Intriguing immortals. Strong heroine. Sizzling romance. Page-turning plot full of emotion and excitement. Modern and fresh take on fated mates.CalyDo you dream of ridiculously hot men? Okay, maybe you do. (And yes, I’m well aware I should lay off the romance books before bed.) But do you actually ever meet those men you dream about in real life? I didn’t think so. That’s probably a good thing though because I have… And these men from my dreams have done nothing but pull the rug of reality out from under me… which was how I fell and ended up in a world that I thought only existed in romance books.My name is Caly (AKA Callie) and I’m just an ordinary single woman living the LA dream… paycheck to paycheck. Except whose dream is it? I’m not really sure… but it’s not my dream. Especially because I have really weird dreams… like really weird. Then again, everyone has weird dreams, right?BlakeI am an alpha wolf shifter and leader of Orion’s Order, a pack of… well, not wolves. We’re an unconventional pack of highly skilled specian hunters that do one thing: hunt the evil in our world. And we were hired by SILE (Species Investigative Law Enforcement) to hunt a bloodthirsty criminal who is infamously untraceable. That was until an irresistible female brought an unexpected twist to our hunt and set things in motion… a motion that has left my pack and our world forever changed.Welcome to The Order and a secret world of magic and mystery, where a pack of unlikely friends find love and fight against an ancient evil force.
Devour this addictive series at your own risk…
+ Happily Ever After
+ Steamy Paranormal Shifter Romance
+ Multiple POV
+ Mature Content
———————————————-
CALYPSO’S HEART is an adult paranormal wolf shifter romance. If you like swoon-worthy males, heroines with feminine strength, an engaging plot, satisfying relationships, steamy love stories, happy ever afters, and getting sucked into a supernatural story, then you’ll want to immerse yourself in the world of species!
You’ll feel right at home if you’re a JR Ward, Nalini Singh, and Dannika Dark fan.
A sneak peek between the pages of Calypso’s Heart
“I had another dream about Mr. Mysterious. You know, with the gorgeous golden eyes…” She exhaled out a dreamy sigh. “Except…” Her thoughts trailed off as she recalled just how strange the dream ended up. She lazily reached her hand toward the sound of Felix’s purrs, as if they were a homing beacon. Her hand landed on what felt like jean fabric on something solid and warm. The instant contact was made, it flexed.
Muscle? she silently questioned and her brows furrowed slightly. She coaxed her heavy eyelids open and she was met with a pair of impossibly golden eyes… the eyes belonging to the handsome man in her dreams… who just happened to be sitting on her bed next to her.
“Nevermind Felix… I’m still dreaming,” Caly said with a relaxed half-smile. God. This man is taking over my dreams… But she wasn’t complaining.
“Mr. Mysterious?” Blake teased with a slight curve of his lips.
She sleepily laughed. “You’re not supposed to know your own nickname.” She looked down and saw that Felix was curled up in his lap purring in utter bliss. Damn if that wasn’t cute. And damn if he wasn’t even more gorgeous this close up. She scratched Felix behind the ears in just the spot he loved. “Even if this is a dream, if Felix likes you, then you can’t be that bad,” she admitted with another lazy chuckle. “He hissed at the last guy I brought home. And it turned out Felix was right. That guy was an ass.”
Blake steered his thoughts away from the sudden desire to go find whoever this guy was and teach him a lesson. Jesus. Stay focused.
“Caly, this is not a dream.”
“Yes it is. How else is the most handsome man with the gorgeous golden eyes from my dreams here, in my bed?” Her body was reacting in a very feminine way to his masculine presence. She wanted him and her body knew that.
There was another curve of his lips and his chest puffed out a little more than necessary. What was this female doing to him? Focus, he repeated the silent order.
“You know that I’m Blake from Orion’s Order. But what I don’t know is how you know that.”
Scenting the slightest hint of her arousal in the air, his body began to react in response. Jesus. Her scent is like a drug, Blake thought on an internal groan.
Hell, this is a dream, Caly thought. So, who was she to deny herself? Besides, with all that eye gazing in the other dreams, okay minus the kidnapping one, it felt like she knew him on some level. Still utterly relaxed and now a little sinfully playful, she closed the distance between them and curled up against his body—his very warm and muscled body. With a graceful leap, Felix padded off the bed to his favorite sun spot on the window sill, hidden behind the curtain where it trapped the most heat.
Wow. He smells so good. It was a dark, musky, masculine scent. Natural though—not some artificial store-bought scent. She sighed deeply. This was turning out to be a very good dream. She curled up next to him. She fit perfectly as if her body was meant to be at his side.
Blake went to put his arm around her shoulder and stopped midway. What was he doing? Focus damn it. Since when had a female had him reacting like this?
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Calypso’s Heart!
Views: 1
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged An Orion's Order Novel, Calypso's Heart, MC Solaris, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Vampire by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
Character Names in Books I Can’t Pronounce – #L&SR’s Blog Challenge
Welcome to #L&SR’s Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge July 22, 2020 – Character names in books I can’t Pronounce! Boy that took some thought. Please have a seat, grab an iced tea or lemonade out of the cooler. Be sure and try a chocolate chip or peanut butter cookie. Today, I also have something a little different after my post on today’s topic. If you have a few minutes take a look at what makes my A Witch’s Holiday Wedding different besides is on sale for 99 cnet to celebrate Christmas In July. What do parrots know about PTSD? Take a peek and you’ll find out. Animal lovers don’t miss this.
Here we go. After nearly short-circuiting my brain, I finally came up with only one, it’s The Kate Daniel’s Series by Ilona Andrews.
I love this series. But the characters are numerous and their names, well, sometimes I have to stop and figure out how to pronounce them. Does it distract from reading the series. No, not any more. It really helped in the last book she listed all her characters in the series, their duties, roles and pronounced their names. I had most of them right, by the way!
So there you have it, the character names in books I can’t pronounce. How about you? What do you character names you can’t pronounce?
Alas, I must return to my writing cave where deadlines loom with final galley on my upcoming release HIDDEN GYPSY MAGIC, and Chocolate Raspberry Magic is in pre-galley now, and on a new WIP sixth book in A Demon’s Witch Series(very exciting and coming along very well) so let’s see what other authors chose as character names in books they can’t pronounce L&SR
Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.
Looking an exciting read to whisk you away from your ordinary world into a magical, fantasy adventure ? Got just the thing lets celebrate Christmas in July with A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING, second in A Witch’s Journey Series. Let me tell you a little about this book and the others in A Witch’s Journey Series you may not be aware. Another aspect to this book and A WItch’s Journey is the disabled vets that Lathen mentors and assists in finding jobs to better their lives. Once a wounded vet himself, alienated and angry, Lathen met Pepper and learned the secrets the animals hold. They don’t judge. They listen. They are able see right into your soul and comfort. They know what you need, if you only listen. At least that’s the way I feel. Wildlife rescue and rehab is near and dear to my heart. Heck rescue of any animal is high on my list. Recently, I read a fantastic article that confirmed my thoughts and believes in the relationship between human and parrots, another of my passions. When you have a few minutes, take a peek at this sobering article from the New York Times Magazine. I think you’ll find it quite informative. Especially if you are an animal lover. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/magazine/what-does-a-parrot-know-about-ptsd.html
A little about A Witch’s Holiday Wedding:
Elemental witch, Pepper McKay and former Navy SEAL, Lathen Quartz built Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on enchanted McKay land. Wedding planning goes awry when the couple spends Thanksgiving with family in Colorado, a Maine snowstorm fills the center with injured wildlife, Lathen finds himself drawn into a covert military mission, and Pepper wants to cancel the wedding. Is she having second thoughts? Will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans?
Thanks for popping in. I really appreciate it. Next week, July 29, can you believe it? Anyway topic is stuff on my bucket list. What fun!
Views: 3
Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged #L&SR's #Wednesday's Blog Challenge, A Witch's Holiday Wedding, Character names in books I can't pronounce, Paranormal Romance, What do Parrots know about PTSD? by Tena Stetler with 16 comments.
#MFRWHooks A Witch’s Holiday Wedding – 99 Cent Sale
For #MFRWhooks this week I’m still celebrating Christmas in July with 99 cent Sale on A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING! from the award winning A Witch’s Journey Series. I hope you bear with me for one more excerpt. A small town paranormal romance/mystery. It’s down to the wire, will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans? Then Lathen’s covert military mission threatens life as he knows it. Torn in too many directions will Pepper and Lathen make it to the altar?
Another aspect to this book and A WItch’s Journey Series is the disabled vets that Lathen mentors and assists in finding jobs to better their lives. Once a wounded vet himself, alienated and angry, Lathen met Pepper and learned the secrets the animals hold. They don’t judge. They listen. They are able see right into your soul and comfort. They know what you need, if you only listen. At least that’s the way I feel. Wildlife rescue and rehab is near and dear to my heart. Heck, rescue of any animal is high on my list. Recently, I read an fantastic article that confirmed my thoughts and believes in the relationship between human and parrots, another of my passions. After you take a gander at my book hook, and when you have a few minutes, take a peek at this sobering and thought provoking article from the New York Times Magazine. I think you’ll find it quite informative. Especially if you are an animal lover. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/magazine/what-does-a-parrot-know-about-ptsd.html
So pull up a chair and get comfy, 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 A Witch’s Holiday Wedding!
A bit about A Witch’s Holiday Wedding:
Elemental witch, Pepper McKay and former Navy SEAL, Lathen Quartz have built Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on enchanted McKay land. During a romantic interlude on Halloween night, Pepper happily agrees to become Lathen’s wife. What better day than Winter Solstice for their wedding in a town that loves celebrations and Christmas. However, planning a wedding and operating their wildlife center takes a toll on both Pepper and Lathen.
When the couple takes a much-needed break for Thanksgiving with family in Colorado, a Maine snowstorm fills the center with injured wildlife. Lathen finds himself drawn into a covert military mission, while trying to deal with issues concerning friends and family. Pepper wants to cancel the wedding. Is she having second thoughts? Will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans?
A sneak peek between the pages of A Witch’s Holiday Wedding: The hook.
The flurry of voices faded away as Pepper watched the ebb and flow of the negotiations between the two men, while the others in the room looked on. Was Lathen torn between his commitment to the Center and life as a SEAL? She needed him there—Until a few years ago, most of his adult life was spent in service to his country, a commitment he’d given freely until he’d sustained life altering injuries.
Was it possible to return to the SEALs? From what she’d heard and read, that wasn’t likely. So what did they want him to do? Or were they willing to make an exception? She couldn’t…wouldn’t think about that, she was overreacting. Despite her resolve, her thoughts kept swirling. Would taking this assignment require long absences from her—the Lobster Cove Wildlife Rehab & Rescue Center they built? That would never work. She needed him—the Center needed him. Alec and Mike the disabled vets they’d employed depended on him in more ways…
“Pepper…Pepper…” Lathen’s voice penetrated her thoughts. “What do you think?”
She blinked and peered up at him. “About what?” When she took a minute to clear her head, she glanced from his steeled expression to the Lt. Commander’s thunderous demeanor. There was really no other way to describe it. A storm raged beneath the commander’s attempt at a calm facade. Her lips twitched, he hadn’t expected this. Or had he?
Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged #MFRWHooks, 99 cent sale, A Witch's Holiday Wedding, Christmas In July, Paranormal Romance, Tena Stetler, What do Parrots know about PTSD? by Tena Stetler with 9 comments.
A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING – 99 Cent Sale – #MFRWHooks
For #MFRWhooks this week I’m celebrating Christmas in July with 99 cent Sale on A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING! from the award winning A Witch’s Journey Series. A small town paranormal romance/mystery. It’s down to the wire, will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans? Then Lathen’s covert military mission threatens life as he knows it. Torn in too many directions will Pepper and Lathen make it to the alter?
So pull up a chair and get comfy, 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 A Witch’s Holiday Wedding!
A bit about A Witch’s Holiday Wedding:
Elemental witch, Pepper McKay and former Navy SEAL, Lathen Quartz have built Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on enchanted McKay land. During a romantic interlude on Halloween night, Pepper happily agrees to become Lathen’s wife. What better day than Winter Solstice for their wedding in a town that loves celebrations and Christmas. However, planning a wedding and operating their wildlife center takes a toll on both Pepper and Lathen.
When the couple takes a much-needed break for Thanksgiving with family in Colorado, a Maine snowstorm fills the center with injured wildlife. Lathen finds himself drawn into a covert military mission, while trying to deal with issues concerning friends and family. Pepper wants to cancel the wedding. Is she having second thoughts? Will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans?
A sneak peek between the pages of A Witch’s Holiday Wedding: The hook.
Half an hour later, Lathen turned the truck onto the gravel drive to the cabin, slowed, and stared at the dark SUV parked in front of the cabin. Slowly he guided the truck behind the vehicle, noticing that the plates were government issue. What the hell is this?
Pepper leaned forward in her seat. “What’s a government SUV doing sitting in front of our home?”
“Maybe it’s the DIFW,” Lathen said hopefully. He turned off the headlights and cut the engine. The doors opened on the SUV, and four men in suits stepped out and waited.
Oh shit, this doesn’t bode well. He recognized one of the men, Lt. Commander Raymond Sale. Lathen jumped out of the truck as Pepper opened her door. “Pepper, why don’t you go on inside, let Tonk and Ember out, but keep them close. I’ll just be a minute.”
Pepper glanced from the men and back to Lathen. She opened her mouth to protest, but he shook his head and glanced toward the cabin where he could hear Tonk and Ember barking. For a beat he watched Pepper turn and walk the path to the cabin. He turned his attention to the men standing in the driveway.
Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.
Views: 30
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged #MFRWHooks, A Witch's Holiday Wedding, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Suspense, Tena Stetler, wildlife rescue, Witches by Tena Stetler with 4 comments.
