Interview S.K. Gregory Author of Bloodlines
Give a warm welcome to S.K Gregory, author of Bloodlines. releasing today. Yippee!!
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 S.K. Gregory and her YA Urban Fantasy, Bloodlines, Book One of The Dark Fae Chronicles! Pssst… Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter at the end of this post.
What inspired this particular story?
Bloodlines started out as a story in a boxed set called Cursed Lands. We were to come up with an idea for an urban fantasy/YA/Dystopian novel or novella. I chose this idea because I wanted to write about the Fae and I thought it would be interesting to see what the world would look like if they took over the world. My main character is half Fae herself and is caught between both sides.
Why should we read this book/series and what sets you apart from the rest and makes your book/series unique?
Bloodlines and the other two books in the series, Battlelines and Borderlines, tell the story of a young woman in an apocalyptic world, struggling to survive after the Fae attack and wipe out a large percentage of the human race. I think there are a lot of dystopian novels out there but not many deal with Fae taking over. It’s something a little bit different, full of magic and intrigue.
Who is your favorite character of all of the books you’ve written and Why?
At the moment my favorite character is Persephone from my Gods of Chaos series. I have always wanted to write about the Greek Gods, although she was not the God I would have chosen originally. I wrote a short story about her and it turned into a whole series. She is strong, cynical and a survivor, which I think suits her story.
Did you tell friends and family that you were writing a book? Or did it take a while to come out and tell friends and family you were a writer?
My family have always known as I was forever carrying a notebook with me everywhere I went when I was younger. My friends found out after I was published. My grandfather likes to tell everyone he meets about it! I should hire him as my agent! Lol.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6574558.S_K_Gregory
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Bloodlines!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Dystopian, SK Gregory, Urban Fantasy, YA by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
Interview Nicole Conway Author of Fledgling
Give a warm welcome to Nicole Conway Author of Fledgling, book one of The Dragonrider Chronicles.
Who is your favorite character of all of the books you’ve written and Why?
Felix Farrow is a character that grew on me quickly. At first brush, he’s just the pretty boy best friend, a noble boy born with a silver spoon in his mouth and an appetite for mischief. But as the series progresses and more of his personality and backstory came through, he became so much more. That roguish, joking demeanor was a mask to a boy yearning for acceptance from his parents, desperate to prove himself, and loyal to the only real friend he’s ever had – Jaevid.
Do you find it easier to write from a male or female point of view? Why?
I almost always gravitate to male narrator. They’ve always been more comfortable for me, and I actually struggle with female narrators sometimes. I’m not sure why that is – I think it might have something to do with being a bit of a “tomboy” myself and also that growing up, my favorite stories had male protagonists, too. I love giving the underdog his shot at being hero, and I love providing good examples of noble heroes for my own son in literature.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I have a pretty busy schedule at home, but I love to spend time playing with my little boy in between work projects. We go on adventures, swimming at the pool, to the zoo, to the local museums, and walks around the neighborhood looking for treasure (also called geocaching). He’s four now, so I have to enjoy these times when it’s still cool to hang with mom while they last. I also like to draw, play video games, read, and go rock climbing!
Book One:
turned and started walking toward me. His large, curled black claws dug into
the dirt floor of the arena, and I couldn’t help but stagger back a few feet as
he crept toward me, chattering loudly all the way.
strange to watch, oddly smooth and feline for the way his body was built. He
stopped right before me, craning his neck to sniff at me again. Then he started
to crouch down. The dragon lowered himself until his belly was flat on the
ground. His huge horned head was low, too, and he looked at me expectantly.
figure out what I was supposed to do, Sile was right there beside me. “He wants
to seal the bond,” the knight explained as he grabbed me by the waist and
pretty much tossed me up onto the dragon’s back. “Don’t be afraid.”
say; Sile wasn’t the one straddling the neck of a wild dragon who’d already
proven he had a nasty temper. With my legs slung around the base of the
creature’s neck, sitting between the shoulders of his wing arms, I clung to
anything I could when I felt him start to move. There wasn’t much to grab,
though. His scales were slick, and the little knobby black horns that ran down
his spine to the tip of his tail were cone-shaped and hard to grip. I just had
to lay flat against his neck, my arms as far around him as I could reach, and
hung on for dear life as the dragon stood.
laughing loudly. I saw him smiling up at me as the dragon gave a wide yawn that
showed me just how many of those teeth he had. My heartbeat was skipping and
pounding erratically. My head spun like a top. I was sitting on a dragon. Not
just any dragon, though. This one was mine.
Book Two:
week, after our laps and drills were finished, I tolerated being teased while
Felix coached me through different line dances and waltzes. Lyon and I refused
to make eye contact as I was forced to hold his hand and, even worse, his hip.
The first time Felix actually got us to stand in a waltz pose together, he
burst into laughter. Lyon snapped. They punched each other for a few minutes,
and I considered leaving the room and walking off the nearest cliff. It seemed
better than having to hold Lyon like that ever again.
shred of dignity left, though. I was learning to dance, and Felix insisted I
was getting better. It gave me some hope that maybe I wouldn’t completely
embarrass myself at the ball.
like a three legged cow,” he assured me. “So it’ll be easier with a real girl.
They’re much lighter, and more graceful. And a lot less ugly.”
under his breath. “Oh right, well excuse me for not dancing like a girl.” We
only had a few weeks left before the ball, and I knew he was probably just as
ready as I was for this dance class to end.
said about greetings and introductions. Confidence. Eye contact. Charm. It’s a
state of mind.” Felix snapped his fingers at Lyon like he was summoning a pet
dog. “Let’s run through it one more time.”
few more curses as he stomped toward me. I tried to visualize Beckah standing
in his place with her warm smile and deep green eyes. It was nearly impossible,
though. Lyon was definitely a boy. And this was definitely the most
embarrassing thing I’d ever done in my life.
had gone through our awkward bows and stepped into an opening dance pose, the
dorm room door to our room burst open. I was holding onto Lyon’s waist and
hand, as usual, and he was pretending to hold up a dress. We both froze, too
stunned to react.
standing in the doorway. He looked at all of us, his brows raised and his
expression completely blank.
dignity withered and died. “When you’re finished with…whatever this is, I need
to see the lot of you downstairs to be measured for your formal uniforms.” Jace
managed to say, although he sounded a little hoarse. I could have sworn I saw
him suppressing a smile. “Hurry up.”
and I died a little inside. Lyon shoved away from me. Judging by the shade of
red his head was turning, he was too angry and embarrassed to speak. I couldn’t
say anything, either.
fell down on the floor, gripping his sides. I had to step over him in order to
get out of the room.
Book Three:
roaring winds and frozen rain, I saw the shape of someone standing at the top
of that staircase. At first glimpse, it looked like a knight; a petite man clad
in armor that shimmered like obsidian glass and adorned in painted golden
wings, even on the gauntlets and helmet, giving the wearer an angelic
appearance.
my hand toward the black armored knight, who had started descending the steps.
Once we were both inside, we began working together to push the door closed
again to keep out the cold.
off her helmet.
dark hair fell down over her shoulder in a braid. Some of her bangs were
sticking to the moisture on her forehead and the sides of her face, and her
lightly freckled cheeks were flushed from the cold wind. When her bright green
eyes looked up at me in the darkness, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
was a much deeper, more passionate kiss than any we’d ever had before. She put
her arms around my waist and hugged me close, and for a long time we just stood
like that. I couldn’t believe how much I’d missed her in such a short amount of
time. Under all that armor, she was still the simple, beautiful girl I’d eaten
peaches with on the beach in Saltmarsh. She was still the Beckah I loved.
The Dragonrider Chronicles
Book Four:
group of dragons and their riders continued to land on the platform and file
into the tower. One hundred proud warriors had left to retake the city only a
few days before. Less than forty of us returned.
only looking for one.
Does anyone see him?!” I shouted at the top of my lungs and shoved my way
through the other dragonriders. I called his name over and over, hoping to spot
him or his blue dragon making their way down the corridor ahead of me. They
must have fallen behind.
bloodied, war-beaten face that came walking in from the rain. Before I knew it,
I was standing back at the open gateway that led out onto the platform.
was nowhere to be found.
my shoulder. A bolt of hope shot through me as I spun around, hoping to see him
standing there.
partner, Lieutenant Prax, standing over me like a giant in blood-spattered
battle armor. He was much older than I was and a far more seasoned rider.
That’s why the look on his face absolutely terrified me.
or Jace depart with us.”
easily. We’d made it this far, gone through all of our dragonrider training
together from beginning to end – so I knew he could fight.
This exciting, dragon-filled world returns in the DRAGONRIDER LEGACY trilogy, which concludes with book 3, LEGEND, on May 7, 2019.
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with The Dragonrider Chronicles!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged fantasy, Fledgling, Nicole Conway, The Dragonrider Chronicles, YA by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
Early Halloween Treat from Laura Buckle Author of Flesh!
for this time of year. I looked around at the materials I had rolling around my
craft room and raided the displays at the dollar store to come up with some
Halloween luminaries to perch in my windows.
Two wide-mouth jars
A plastic witch
A plastic ghost
Black sand
Glue gun and glue sticks
Plastic spider rings
Ribbon
Two LED light strings – I used pumpkins and bats
lights, sand, witch, and ghost at my local dollar store. So I’ve invested about
five bucks in this project. I won’t too feel
bad if it doesn’t turn out!
a jar and the ghost in jars. I had originally intended to use mason jars, but I
didn’t have any with mouths wide enough to squeeze the plastic sculptures
through. So I used some plastic jars I had handy. I settled the witch and ghost
in their new homes, then poured some black sand around their feet to simulate
ground. You could also use glitter or black salt or fine pebbles.
that I could use fairy lights for this step, too, but I liked the bats and
pumpkins.
around so that they showed most clearly from the front. I made sure that the
tail of the light string, with the battery pack, extended outside of the jars. I
wanted to be able to turn my luminaries on and off and change batteries without
digging the whole string out of the jar, though you could leave it in the jar,
too. Here’s what they looked like:
damage the thin wire. I made sure that the wire fed out the back side of the
jar. If I needed more room, I would have cut out part of the lid or put the
pack behind the figure inside the jar, but this seemed to work fine with these
materials.
from the bag of spiders. I cut the ring part off the spiders so that they would
lie flat.
the center of the bow, I glued a spider.
“Amanda, I…Oh.”
I don’t know what else to say. My brain just shuts down.
She is wearing the sheet, wound around her like a toga. It trails behind her bare feet, sort of like a painting about Greek goddesses I’ve seen in art books. She’s leaning over another body stored in the cooler unit on a cart. Her back is to me, and I can only see her pale skin and her burgundy-black hair shuddering.
“Amanda.”
She turns at the sound of my voice, seeming only to hear me for the first time. Her face is covered in dark blood. In her hand, she’s holding a big chunk of purple flesh. Her eyes are half-closed. The autopsy incision on the elderly body below her has been ripped open, and I’m pretty sure that what she’s holding is a lung.
“So hungry…” she murmurs.
I retreat until my back presses against the cold door. A whimper escapes my lips, and I drop the laundry basket with a sharp crack of plastic on the tile floor. This has to be a dream. A screwed-up anxiety dream that I’ll wake up from any moment now…
Amanda’s black eyes snap open. She stares at the chunk of flesh in her hand. “I…Agh…What’s going on?”
Lothar waddles over to her and begins to beg. Bile rises in my throat. “That’s Mrs. Canner,” I manage to answer. “She’s seventy-two and died of surgery complications for varicose veins. Deep vein thrombosis, I think. I don’t remember.” I’m babbling, trying to keep the bile down.
Amanda drops the lung with a wet splat. Lothar scrambles to it and begins scarfing it down. Her hands are trembling. She presses them to her temples. “I don’t understand. I don’t understand.”
I nudge the laundry basket closer to her with my foot. “I brought you some clothes. And, um. Food. You should get dressed.”
I think I should be afraid. I think I really ought to be. But Amanda seems genuinely confused. She reaches for the clothes I’ve brought her. To be polite, I know that I should really look away. But I can’t move. I am not turning my back on her. My heart pounds, and I struggle to take deep, uneven breaths.
Amanda unwinds the sheet and slips into my clothes. Though I avert my eyes, I see that her shoulder and side are still torn open. But my mother hasn’t begun the autopsy yet, so there is no Y-incision across her chest and abdomen.
“Do you remember what happened to you?” I manage to ask. I congratulate myself for having a rational thought. Woot.
Her voice is halting, and her brow wrinkles as she struggles to button my jeans. “I remember…something was chasing me. Jesus, it hurt…” Her hand comes up to her neck, and she seems to remember, fingering the edges of the wound. “Am I in a hospital?” she asks again.
I suck in a breath. “No. You’re at my house.” It’s not a lie. Not really.
She scans the room, as if registering the sight of the cadavers. “You’re the girl whose parents run the funeral home. The Ghoul Girl.”
“It’s gonna be okay,” I tell her.
“Why am I here?” Her breath makes ghosts in the cold air.
“The Sheriff found you, alongside the road.” That’s true also, even if not the whole truth. “I think we should get you upstairs, so you can talk to my parents…”
She shakes her head, and her dark hair slaps across her face. “No. I…Oh my god. I’m here because…somebody thought I was dead?”
I swallow hard. “Yeah.”
Her hands press to the wound on her side. “But I’m not dead!”
“I…uh…I think we need to get you to the hospital.” I tentatively reach toward her, to grasp her arm and guide her upstairs, toward the light of the much more civilized parlor and rational discussion. This is so far over my head, and I need my parents to handle it.
She shakes her head. “No. No. No.”
I hold her elbow gently, trying to keep her calm until I can get her upstairs to my parents. Her skin radiates cold through the sweatshirt, and I can see that the edges of her neck wound are dry, not seeping so much as a hint of blood. “Come with me.” I open the door and gently lead her into the lab, as if I’m herding a frightened cat. She gazes at the stainless-steel equipment. “I was here. I remember being here.”
“Come upstairs,” I urge, struggling to keep my composure. I use all the empathy that I’ve learned, dealing with grieving family members, trying to understand the shock and lead her away from the Body Shop.
She squints up at the buzzing light. “You were here, weren’t you? You and that woman. Looking at me.”
“My mother,” I say. I’m thinking crap crap crap. I’ve heard of cases of people whose vitals have dropped far beyond detection, who have awoken in hospital morgues. This has never happened to us. Not ever. Oh shit. The other body. Maybe it the same thing…
“The woman with that knife…” Her fingers go to her sternum, where my mother’s scalpel had rested. All of a sudden, Amanda becomes rooted in place, as immovable as a mountain.
“No one’s going to hurt you,” I promise. “Let me make you some coffee.”
She shakes her head, and I feel her trembling. Her eyes slide to the back door.
She slips from my grip. Before I can stop her, she rushes to the back door. She slams it open with a sound like a gunshot and plunges into the darkness.
It was Spooktacular having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Flesh!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged fantasy, Flesh, HOrra, Laura Bickle, Paranormal, YA by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
Interview Ashley Pagano Author of Never Fear the Reaper
Give a warm welcome to Ashley Pagano, author of Never Fear the Reaper!
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 about Ashley Pagano and Never Fear the Reaper.
Interview with the Paranormal Huntress “Ryder” from the Never Fear the Reaper Series:
Hello there, welcome, and thank you for the interview.
Ahem . . . I have to admit I’m a bit apprehensive about this interview. (She mumbles a few snooty comments about the poor soul who tracked her down and signed her up for this).
You shouldn’t be nervous. If anything, it’s me who should be nervous. (Awkward laugh followed by my gaze creeping downward to her metal case holding her deadly Scythe that she’s purposely placed within arms length of our chairs). Promise you won’t slash me?
(Amused, she raises an eyebrow) I can’t be sure until I’ve heard the questions.
Fair enough. I’ll just fire away, then. (Nervously fiddle with the crinkled up paper filled with scratchy interview questions). So what can you tell us about yourself that may surprise us?
Well if you’ve read the books, you already know about my strange quirks and abilities. (She leans forward, intentionally invading my personal space).
Moving on. I think it’s safe to say you show some pretty strong favoritism towards Chase. What’s that all about? (Discretely push my chair backward).
I’m very fond of Chase. He’s my boyfriend so . . . I ought to be. (She tries to disguise her love-stricken smile).
So you’re actually in love with him? (Try to hide my eager, boyish giggles).
Yes.
(Well that was easier than expected) What can you tell us about the rumors circulating in regards to the love-triangle that has us all gaga and swooning over?
I have more important things to be concerned with than trivial love triangles. Haven’t you heard, I’ve been single-handily saving this world from demons? (Folds her arms tightly across her chest and cocks her head to the side).
What about the scrutiny about yours and Chase’s relationship? People are saying it’s a bittersweet thing?
Yes, we’re either sassing one another, putting each other in their place, or there’s fiery, steamy passion. It’s challenging, but so is everything else in my life. I need that kind of kick in the ass sometimes.
With all the demon hunting, ghost slaying, and poltergeist exterminating, when do you have time for each other?
All that is four play, mister. (She winks)
(Uncomfortably loosen my collar around my neck). It appears that Chase has quite a fan base. Do you ever get jealous of his attention?
You obviously haven’t met me. I wouldn’t consider any of his young lady fans competition.
Do you see a future with Chase? Or with this dangerous career?
He’s the only one who can embark on this career path with me. So yes to both.
Okay. On to the more relaxed questions. What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Ha. Ha. It’s too long a list for this interview.
Name an item you like to carry around at all times?
(Obviously glances over at her case then back at me).
Oh. Never mind. If you and Chase could go away on vacation anywhere, where would it be?
After all this chaos, we’ve talked about planning one soon. Perhaps a deserted island, with as minimal people and supernaturals as possible.
If you had to switch jobs with anyone who would it be?
I don’t trust anyone else to do my job. (Huffs) But if I have to, I guess Chase could sub in for a day. He’s the only one who really understands.
What is your favorite movie?
Lara Croft, Kill Bill, Atomic Blonde . . . catch my drift here? (Sends me a crooked smirk).
If you could tell your fans one thing what would it be?
(Slits her eyes at me) Never disregard the things that ‘go bump in the night’.
Okay quick before Ashley Pagano catches on, is it true that Chase actually saves your life in the ending, epic warehouse battle? (Rubs hands together in anticipation)
If we’re keeping tally, I think I’ve saved his life more times than he’s saved mine.
Well it looks like our time is up. Thank you Ryder. This has been a very intriguing interview.
been to the other side and back again . . . But she’s never met anyone like
him.
can see things no one else can . . . But he only sees her.
the moment he witnesses her do the impossible . . . he is obsessed.
ghost exterminator, Ryder, to cleanse his house from a pesky poltergeist he
gets way more than he’s paying her for… There’s just something about Ryder that
has him mesmerized.
witnessed her do the unexplainable? Or the fact that she’s absolutely
breathtaking? Or perhaps it’s that eerie familiar feeling that they’ve met
before, perhaps in another lifetime.
Ryder on a whirlwind of life threatening adventures in exchange for a few
precious moments of alone time with her. With the Grimm Reaper’s Scythe as
their defense, Chase developing some supernatural gifts of his own, and an
intense crush developing between them what crazy supernatural force will target
them next?
she asks rather firmly, extending her long fingers for a professional handshake.
don’t be her, please don’t be her, please don’t be her, I repeat over and over
again to myself. This girl is too young and far too beautiful to be a ghost
hunter. Inconveniently, she is literally my definition of perfection, dressed
all in black. Long, dark brown hair, perfect bronze skin, bright green eyes
that are surrounded by the longest eyelashes I’ve ever seen, a gorgeous
pearl-white smile, and a slim yet slightly muscular build. I can’t help but let
her catch me looking her up and down. Her appearance makes me even more
uncomfortable with my situation. I even notice a colorful, feathery angel-wing
tattoo that creeps down her left arm, which is ironic, given her profession.
Come on, this girl cannot be doing a job like this.
response before I can conjure up an excuse for my gawking.
you expected, huh,” she says, while gesturing to the hostess with two of her
fingers.
you’re not…not really.” I figure it’s better to be honest with her right now.
Finally, I build up enough courage to return her handshake. I’m embarrassed
when my clammy palm touches her soft, cool skin.
hostess to a booth at the far end of the dining area, she responds, “Don’t
worry, no one ever does. They expect some older, more spiritual looking woman
who’s all decked out in crucifixes.”
of being an artist both figuratively and literally. Her love of art was
instilled by her mother who always inspired her to be creative either with a
paintbrush or with a pen and paper. As far back as she can remember her life
was always centered around introspection, storytelling, and imagination.
Because she is so artistic, she took to the idea of creative writing very
passionately. Her ability to describe a scene, person, or place, she compares
to painting a picture, where she can describe every detail vividly in order to
make the reader feel like they’re truly living in the story. Her works of
writing usually center around a powerhouse female protagonist (which reflect
her own personality), who progresses through many wild and extreme obstacles.
Ashley loves to write stories that end with a cliffhanger, that leave the
reader begging for more and questioning what happens next. Her most recent
novel sets the stage for the paranormal romance of the century and includes
ghosts, poltergeists, and demons who just love to get in the way of true love.
Ashley has won awards for her design, art, and writing.
time whatsoever and actually loves having a full “To-Do”list. Ashley is a wife
to her wonderful husband, Eric and a mother to a beautiful little baby girl
named Dakota. She is also a Graphic Designer and a health and fitness coach.
Her husband and daughter inspire her to be the best person she can be and
encourage her to pursue any of her dreams (no matter how extravagant they may
be).
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Never Fear the Reaper!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Ashley Pagano, Never Fear the Reaper, Paranormal Romance / YA Fiction, YA by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
