#L&SR Wednesday Weekly Blog Challenge A Villain That I Wish could be Redeemed & Why
Welcome to #L&SR’s #Wednesday’s Blog Challenge 5-13-20, A Villain that I WIsh Could be Redeemed & Why. Please have a seat, grab an iced tea or lemonade out of the cooler. Be sure and grab a chocolate chip cookie. Lets get started with A Villain that I WIsh Could be Redeemed & Why.
Wow, I’ve got nothing. Like most people I love to hate the bad guy. So I’m going way back in my memory banks to the Duddly Do Right cartoons I used to watch a villain Snidely Whiplash. I’m dating myself, but I’d always wished he’d not tie Nell to the railroad tracks. LOL
Let’s talk about SYNN, a character that has floated through several of my A Demon’s Witch Series, until she got her own story the fifth book in that series A MAGIC REDEMPTION IN 2018. Yep it was her redemption.
Synn, a demon, carries extraordinary magic and power, but there is more within her than she dreams. 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 finds herself at the mercy of the friends and family of her intended target. Offering valuable information in exchange for protection, she gains her freedom, but it is not without its challenges.
Wait, I’ve got one more. Nebula of the Guardians of the Galaxy fame. She became one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most popular anti-heroes, but when we met her in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, she was a full-blown villain (who was loyal to Thanos without question). At that point, I felt she was being manipulated by Thanos. In the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, I got my wish she redeemed herself. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. LOL
So there you have it,A Villain that I WIsh Could be Redeemed & Why. I’d love to hear from you. Please share your Villain that you WIsh Could be Redeemed & Why. List them in the comments below.
Alas, I must return to my writing cave where deadlines loom with edits on my upcoming release HIDDEN GYPSY MAGIC and on a new WIP (very exciting and coming along very well) so let’s see what other authors list as their reasons. L&SR
Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.
Now lets take a moment to talk about Summer and camping. Set in the Colorado Rockies, AN ANGEL’S UNINTENTIONAL ENTANGLEMENT, Fourth book in A Demon’s Witch Series, is on SALE for 99 cents, for a limited time. Download your copy today and join the magical, fantasy adventure!
The story came about one summer when hubby and I were driving over Independence Pass. It’s one of our favorite drives in Colorado. A beautiful drive if you don’t mind the shear drop-offs. Abandoned cabins (dating back to 1880-1890) dot the landscape near the top of Independence Pass at over 12,000 feet in elevation. As I rounded the back of one of those cabins a complete scene unfolded among the spectacular views. I rushed to the truck and jotted down an outline and An Angel’s Unintentional Entanglement was born.
Caden had a story to tell, and insisted it be told before I finished up the series. The heroine in this story is Mystic Rayne. At the time I was writing this our beloved canine companion passed over the rainbow bridge. We were devastated. As the circle of life continued, a new puppy arrived and we named her Mystic Reign, after my character. Do you believe in fate? Well coincidently the release date for An Angel’s Unintentional Entanglement is August 6, 2018, which happens to be our dog, Mystic’s birthday.
A little about AN ANGEL’S UNINTENTIONAL ENTANGLEMENT:
Fallen warrior angel, Caden Silverwind, lives alone in Colorado’s rugged Rockies, healing from physical wounds as well as the mental anguish suffered during battles with dark demons. Then he finds a woman barely clinging to life after a horrendous beating. He is not prepared for the entanglement she brings to his life, nor the feelings she awakens in him.
Bureau of Indian Affairs Agent, Mystic Rayne’s personal dilemma and assignment nearly gets her killed. Divine intervention is a complication she never expected and her growing attraction to Caden is undeniable. Can she trust him with her secret?
Their quest to uncover her attacker takes them from the pristine mountains in Colorado to the wilds of Wyoming. Along the way, they find answers which may place them in more danger. Determined to solve the mystery, they must also navigate their feelings and fears to find love and unite heaven and earth.
Thanks for popping in. I really appreciate it. Next week, May 13, A Villain that I wish could be redeemed and why. A tough one. Do you have a villain that you wish could be redeemed and why?
Views: 0
Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged #L&SR's #Wednesday's Blog Challenge, A Villain that I WIsh Could be Redeemed & Why, An Angel's Unintentional Entanglement, Mystery, Paranormal, Romance, Tena Stetler by Tena Stetler with 13 comments.
Interview Julie Howard Author of Wild Crime
Happy holidays to all! Give a big welcome to Julie Howard, author of Wild Crime.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 find out a little about Julie’s Wild Crime. Thanks for joining us!
Julie, how about a few questions?
I”m game. Shoot!
What inspired you to write?
I’ve always been an avid reader and am envious of every good author out there. I’ll read a great book and instantly wish I’d written it. Steinbeck, Austen, Eliot, Allende… and on and on… I’m reading Ruth Ware’s new mystery/suspense “The Turn of the Key” and David McCullough’s nonfiction “The Path Between the Seas” and wish I could be as good a writer. Anyway, reading wonderful authors inspires me to write and keep writing. I love a good story, whether it comes from me or someone else.
Do you see yourself in your characters?
I think there’s a little of me in all my characters, the good ones and bad ones. I have to inhabit all my characters in my mind in order to write them into life, so I have to imagine their motivations, hopes and darkest secrets. I do hope I’m more like my good characters though!
What do you want your readers to take away from your books?
There is always hope, even when life feels impossibly difficult. If you just keep moving forward, there are options. Just keep trying, and then try some more. It’s okay to fail as long as you pick yourself up and give it another go.
Why do you write what you write? Contemporary, paranormal, suspense, etc.
I love puzzles and games of all sorts, especially crosswords and Scrabble. I view mysteries as a puzzle that I’m creating for my readers. I have to set up the goal (guessing the murderer, or solution) and then lay down logical clues so the reader can enjoy guessing and figuring out what happened. I get to be a puzzlemaster and writer at the same time. It’s great fun!
If writing is your first passion, what is your second?
I enjoy traveling and learning about different cultures and histories. My husband and I travel as much as we have time for, and still have a long list of places we’d like to visit. I can’t imagine ever being tired of seeing new places. So far, each place has been so unique and I’m amazed at the diversity and friendliness of people and places. What a fascinating world we live in.
SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:
Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>
Favorite movie: The Shawshank Redemption
Favorite book: The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck
Last book read: The Pioneers by David McCullough
Favorite color: Green
Stilettos or flipflops: Flipflops
Coffee or tea: Coffee!
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Paperback
Pencil or pen: Pen
Favorite dessert: Cake
Favorite junk food: Anything chocolate
Favorite thing to do to relax: Read
Champagne or gin: Gin
Paranormal or Historical: Historical
Wonder Woman or Top Model: Top Model
Favorite TV show: The Crown
Hot or cold: Cold
I’d die if I don’t have: My family nearby
A little about Wild Crime:
“I’m a murderer. I’m a murderer. I’m a murderer.”
Those three repeated words discovered in an old letter propel Meredith Lowe in a cross-country pursuit to unveil her mother’s murky past. Danger stalks Meredith back to Hay City, Idaho as she peels apart the mystery: who is her father, and did her mother kill him? In finding the answer, will a growing love slip through her fingers?
Past merges with the present as the story races to its stunning conclusion.
Sneak peek between the pages of Wild Crime:
Her hair fell below her waist, ripped free of its ties and weighed down by the warm, lashing rain. The sky-blue dress, so carefully chosen for this night and tried on so many times in her bedroom, was ruined. One strap had torn from her shoulder and dangled down her back. Mud splattered the hem. Sweet Cantaloupe lipstick, a lovely coral that heightened the green in her eyes, was smeared like a bruise on one cheek. She ran.
The high school gym behind her, decorated in crepe paper and curtains, vibrated with electric guitars and teen-aged hormones. Couples gyrated on the dance floor and then disappeared into dark corners. It was late and the Spring Dance was in full throttle. No one would miss her for hours.
Before her, trees dripped moss, barely visible in the darkness. She envisioned the moss brushing her shoulders, low branches snagging in her hair, the possibility of snakes both at her feet and above; this made her hesitate. It would take one scream, one gasp, and he would find her.
My Review;
This is a well written book dealing with some difficult issues. After the death of her mother and estranged grandmother, Meredith is searching for a father she’d never known. But she discovers more than she is prepared to handle.
Sheriff Curtis is her romantic interest. He is understanding and supportive of her cross-country pursuit of the truth.
The characters are well rounded and evoke strong feeling while you read the book. It takes a talented author to pull that off and Julie did it with ease.
Overall a great read and one I recommend. 5 stars
Buy links:
Amazon:, iBooks, Barnes and Noble, Google, Kobo,
Author bio:
Julie Howard is the author of the Wild Crime series, and Spirited Quest. She is a former journalist and editor who has covered topics ranging from crime to cowboy poetry. She is a member of the Idaho Writers Guild, editor of the Potato Soup Journal, and founder of the Boise chapter of Shut Up & Write. Learn more at juliemhoward.com.
Author links:
Website: http://juliemhoward.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/juliemhowardauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18116047.Julie_Howard
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Julie-Howard/e/B07D6CS4NQ/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julie-howard?list=author_books
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_JulieMHoward
It was wonderful having you with us today. Loved the picture of you and your dog! Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Wild Crime!
Views: 0
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Julie Howard, Mystery, Romance, Wild Crime by Tena Stetler with 9 comments.
Viking’s Crusade Author Sky Purington’s Interview
Give a warm welcome to Sky Purington, author of Viking’s Crusade, released today!
“I used to enjoy sitting beneath the trees at my home in Lake Placid,” she mentioned, steering the conversation away from intimacy. “Then I went off to college and never got around to sitting under one again.”
He lit a fire and sat beside her. “It is peaceful, yes?”
“It really is,” she murmured. “Funny, maybe a small part of me was trying to bring that sense of peace to the rest of the world.”
“By the sounds of it, you did.”
“Here and there.” Not when it mattered most, though.
“I would like to it see someday,” he said softly. “Your life…what you accomplished.”
“You mean, look through my mind’s eye.” She tensed at the thought. It was one thing catching her thoughts, but to let him all the way in would mean him seeing first-hand the atrocities she had caused. “Maybe eventually.”
“When you are ready,” he agreed. “Though it might happen against your will as it has for some of our kin.”
“I know.” She met his eyes. “I guess I just want to put it off for as long as possible.” She shook her head, realizing it was for more reasons than one. “Not just for me but for you.”
“You are afraid of the way I will look at you. That it will damage the way my dragon looks at yours, the connection they are so desperate for.” He shook his head. “But it will not, Ava. It cannot.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do, though. As I said before, my dragon can only lend yours comfort and protect it,” he said softly. “Letting me and my dragon in will not push us away but pull us closer. It will allow us to soak up some of your pain…to help you find self-forgiveness.”
“How can you know that when you’ve never had a mate?”
“Because I have had a mate.” He brushed the back of his knuckles along her jaw. “You.” He searched her eyes. “Surely, you feel the growing connection. The intense bond.”
“You know I do,” she whispered because she couldn’t quite find her voice. “Only our growing connection isn’t giving me a sense of confidence. Instead, I feel like I’m drawing closer to unbearable pain.” While she meant to keep it to herself, her inner dragon prompted her tongue along. “I keep getting this nagging feeling I’m going to lose you now that I’ve found you.”
“You cannot let that stand in your way,” he said gently. “Instead, you have to trust it, allow the connection. In that, you will find peace.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I already feel it.” His fingers trailed down the side of her neck, causing a fresh spike of heat. “While yes, there is great risk, there is also certainty that this is eternal. That the connection we made on Múspellsheimr is ours for all time.” He tilted her chin until their eyes were aligned. “Our dragons will always find their way back to each other, Ava. So even if you lose me in this life, there will be another. I will return to you.”
He certainly had a way with words, didn’t he? But they were true words said from his heart. She could see it in his eyes. Sense it in his soul. More than that, she could feel it in his tender touch.
About the Author
Sky Purington is the bestselling author of over forty novels and novellas. A New Englander born and bred who recently moved to Virginia, Purington married her hero, has an amazing son who inspires her daily and two ultra-lovable shepherd husky mixes. Passionate for variety, Sky’s vivid imagination spans several romance genres including historical, time travel, paranormal, and fantasy. Expect steamy stories teeming with protective alpha heroes and strong-minded heroines.Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington. Interested in keeping up with Sky’s latest news and releases? Either visit Sky’s website, www.SkyPurington.com, subscribe to her quarterly newsletter or sign up for personalized text message alerts. Simply text ‘skypurington’ (no quotes, one word, all lowercase) to 74121 or visit Sky’s Sign-up Page. Texts will ONLY be sent when there is a new book release. Readers can easily opt out at any time.
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Viking’s Crusade!
Views: 1
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Romance, Shifter, Sky Purington, Time travel, Viking Ancestors:Rise of the Dragon, Viking's Crusade by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.
Exile in Darkness by Annalisa Carr
Give a warm welcome to Annalisa Carr author of Exile in Darkness! 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 Annalisa and her recent release Exile In Darkness! Pssst…don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway at the bottom of the post. Annalisa Carr will be awarding a $30 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Tell us a bit about Exile in Darkness.
Heritage and magic matter to the London covens.
Aristocratic witch, Isabella Pethany, has heritage but not magic.
Underworld powerbroker, amnesiac vampire Maldit, has magic but no heritage.
Lukas Sindis, coven sorcerer and famous psychopath, has both.Isabella’s null magic status makes her an embarrassment to her family, but since her sister was murdered, she is all they have left. Guilt makes her willing to do almost anything to compensate for her lack of value, but her grandmother’s proposal to match her with Lukas, in a bid to bring strong magic back to their bloodline, is a step too far.
When Maldit rescues a strange witch from hunting vampires, his main concern is to limit trouble in his territory. Witches are notoriously troublesome, and this one is no exception. Her proximity slashes through his damaged memory, allowing him to catch glimpses of his forgotten past.
Drugs have suppressed Lukas’s magic for almost twenty years, filling him with a reservoir of trapped power. When he escapes, his magic bursts free, falling like a tidal wave on Maldit and Isabella, sweeping away the spells paralysing both of them.
The dark secrets of the London coven are about to explode into the light of day.
A sneak peek between the pages of Exile in Darkness:
Isabella? Isabella Pethany?
Whispers of her own name floated through her mind. She pushed the pillow aside and sat up, pressing her hands against her ears. It didn’t stop the insistent repetition of her name.
Someone called to her, but who would do a thing like that at this hour of the morning? The family would all be asleep by now, and the only servant awake should be the doorman.
Her imagination was running riot. She lay down, closing her eyes, but the feeling of being summoned didn’t go away.
Isabella. Isabella. Isabella.
Her name echoed around her skull, louder now.
She sat up abruptly. Next to her, Alfie stirred, growling in his sleep. She ran the palm of her hand over his shaggy flank and switched the bedside lamp on, before walking to the window and drawing the curtain back.
Pools of dim light surrounded the bases of the old-fashioned streetlamps. Between them, the pavement was dark, and the trees in the square cast black shadows over the iron railings. She opened the window and leaned out.
“Isabella?” The voice was a seductive whisper from below. It was definitely real this time, vibrating through the air, rather than her mind.
She squinted into the shadows.
The vampire from the bar stood on the opposite pavement, his figure almost hidden in the darkness.
Maldit.
Her heart beat faster.
His face tilted upwards towards her second-floor window, green eyes glinting.
“What do you want?” She pressed two fingers to the point in her neck where the skin was thinnest. Her pulse hammered against them.
Buy link for Exile in Darkness: Amazon
About the Author:
Annalisa Carr lives in the English Lake District with her two cats. She writes in multiple genres, but has a weakness for paranormal romance and urban fantasy.
As a child Annalisa wanted to be a scientist, wear a white coat and explore outer space. She worked as a scientist for a very long time, but never got to fly a spaceship or even travel beyond the solar system. This was a huge disappointment given the reasons for her career choice, so eventually she made up stories instead. Probably just as well, as she is claustrophobic.
Exile in Darkness is set in the same world as the Children of Poseidon series; a slightly skewed version of London.
Annalisa also writes dystopian science fiction under the name ‘Anne Cleasby’.
https://annecleasby.com
http://www.annalisacarr.com
https://www.amazon.com/Annalisa-Carr/e/B00T1H0CQ0
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10798535.Annalisa_Carr
https://www.facebook.com/Annalisa-Carr-1626840070925992
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Exile in Darkness!
Views: 0
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Annalisa Carr, Exile in Darkness, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.
