Ramblings from Lady Rosalie

Full page article in Focus Magazine Feb 2012!!

2012-01-31T13:23:00.000+11:00

Focus Magazine Interview with Local Author Rosalie Skinner

Museitup Publishing January Contest...

2012-01-30T08:44:00.000+11:00

Play MuseItUp Publishing’s SUN COVER CONTEST every month!

At the end of each month, we’ll be showcasing one of our covers partially hidden in Mr. Sun's backdrop. All you have to do is identify the title of the book.
You’ll be given one hint: the book’s tagline to figure out its genre and then search our listing of ebooks.
Another hint: all covers are NOT from our Coming Soon page.
All answers that have identified the book title correctly will go into a draw and one lucky winner will win the ebook.
DEADLINE FOR JANUARY'S SUN COVER CONTEST: February 10, 2012
WINNER ANNOUNCED: February 12, 2012
Send your responses to: publisher AT museituppublishing DOT com
Subject heading: place January Sun Cover Answer
Within body of email: your answer and your name.

January's Hidden Cover:

HINT: Is 11-year-old Abram man enough to protect the most important Prophecy in the Megaverse?

So what are you waiting for? Go find the title! And have fun!

How would your character react....

2012-01-21T14:33:00.000+11:00

Watching this video and listening to the calm breathing of the cameraman, I was prompted to wonder about reactions to situations.
What seems incredible and extremely dangerous to me, obviously isn't an adrenaline pumping event to the diver or the sharks.
So, writing a character's reactions must depend on their level of knowledge, experience, courage, bravado and common sense.
Like driving.. it's dangerous. Just reading the statistics proves that. Does it take courage to get behind the wheel? Perhaps.. but we have experience.. We (hopefully) treat our driving with respect and extreme care. Don't we? Not bravado...
Diving is a dangerous sport. Sharks CAN be dangerous. So we immediately associate their presence with an element of fear. (at least I do)
These sharks change my perception. They obviously aren't dangerous.
The Grey Nurse shark is badly maligned if it is given a fear factor. These creatures prove how little they want to maul or attack a human.
Even knowing they are minding their own business... my adrenaline would be pumping.
Swimming, snorkelling among large fish, kingfish on Lord Howe Island... made me nervous..
Anyhow.. this isn't about me.. I am just re assessing the ideas of reactions.
What we count as courage, could just be confidence in collected knowledge. But does that take anything away from our character? To be experienced and to get to this level of expertise has taken courage?
Ok.. just thinking aloud as I count how many sharks are swimming within range of the lens.

Review for Exiled: The Legacy of Lathraine's Pledge...

2012-01-20T16:54:00.000+11:00

I’ve just finished reading my very first book on my new Kindle, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience in every respect. The Kindle is really neat, but soon I forgot all about it as I dove into the third book of Caleath’s Chronicles. All the characters have become good friends by now, except of course for those I love to hate.
The Legacy of Lathraine’s Pledge is beautifully and vividly written. Rosalie Skinner comes up with amazing descriptions, unique metaphors and comparisons that make you smile or send a shiver down your back. The ebb and flow of intense, moving moments lightened by humorous encounters or witty dialogues carried me away on a wonderful journey in an intriguing world where fantasy meets science fiction. Highly recommended, but you better start from the beginning so as not to miss anything! The first book is Exiled: Autumn’s Peril.
So far this series is only available as ebook in many formats. One of the reasons why I bought that Kindle.

*******************************************

Edith Parzefall is the author of Strays of Rio, soon to be released by Museitup Publishing and co author of
Wind Over Troubled Waters, soon to be released by Double Dragon Publishing.

The Symbolism behind Alchemist and the Unhewn Stone.. revealed.

2012-01-20T08:54:00.002+11:00

Heather Haven's blog, 'This and That' has hosted Wendy Laharnar as she discusses the symbolism behind her award winning YA novel the UNHEWN STONE

Welcome Wendy Laharnar author of Unhewn Stone

There is a lot of information offered. Learning about the Alchemist and the details of ancient wisdom is brilliant. I love how fact and fiction tie in together.
This interview demonstrates to those who are not writers, just how thorough an author's research and intimate knowledge of their subject has to be, before they put pen to paper.
At any time, even in writing 'Fantasy' an author who is serious about their craft will admit that gathering the knowledge and doing the research behind their work, probably took a lifetime to collect.
Just putting the words together in a story can take years... what goes into the background takes a lifetime.

It is no wonder The Unhewn Stone has won readers around the world. It is the sort of Young Adult book both young readers and adults will keep coming back to. Each re read brings out more from this fascinating story.

Also, showing her multi genre talent, Wendy has a science fiction short story out now...
Happiness Guaranteed. Five star ranking from this reader!!

Coming soon is Wendy Laharnar's YA novel, Billy the Bonsai Bull. Another great story, in a different genre. Don't miss this one!! Look for it in February from Museitup Publishing.

Stephen Zimmer giveaway opportunity... HURRY

2012-01-20T07:59:00.000+11:00

Visit Edi's Book Lighthouse for a chance to win Stephen Zimmer's novels.

For a great interview and a chance to win the collection of Stephen Zimmer's ebooks, hurry along to Edi's Book Lighthouse and enter.

Motivation and Characterisation...

2012-01-18T15:19:00.000+11:00

A new article on Fantasy Faction...
Motivation and Characterisation

THANK YOU....

2012-01-14T13:33:00.000+11:00

To all those wonderful people who helped get Exiled: Autumn's Peril into second place in BEST SCIENCE FICTION FANTASY book for 2011 in the Preditors and Editors Annual Readers Poll.

From the moment I found someone had nominated my book, to the closing moments, the thrill of being among the 90 odd books in the voting line up was immense.

Knowing so many people took the time to jump through the hoops and help promote Exiled is moving. It's great to have supporters, readers and long suffering friends and family all helping to get the Chronicles out there and into the hands of readers.

Museitup Publishing has done well for being little more than a year old.

While I am thanking people, I must also thank all who voted for Wendy Laharnar's The Unhewn Stone too. For both best Young Adult novel and also Best cover art.

The Unhewn Stone came in third for novel and second for cover art.

Two very happy Aussie authors. :)
Very grateful and humble, but mostly happy.
Thanks again.. everyone who voted and spread the word.

Preditors and Editors Best Science Fiction Fantasy novel of 2011....

2012-01-06T19:06:00.004+11:00

Thrilling start to 2012 to be nomiated for this award.
To those who have voted and have Exiled: Autumn's Peril in #1 place for so many days, THANK YOU.
For those who have not yet voted.. PLEASE go to Science Fiction Fantasy
Scroll down, find Exiled Autumn's Peril and fill out the details.
Thank you again to all who have shown support for the Chronicles.

http://critters.org/predpoll/novelsf.shtml

While you are there, please vote for another Aussie author Wendy Laharnar's book The Unhewn Stone... a great read. Worth putting on your kindle or waiting for the print version. You will find it in the Young Adult section of the poll.

http://critters.org/predpoll/novelyoungadult.shtml

Thanks so much.
Appreciate your time and effort.

New Banner for 2012...

2011-12-18T21:01:00.003+11:00

Discover Kay Dee, behind the Royal best selling author....Give-away opportunity...

2011-12-16T20:58:00.009+11:00

Curvalicious Heroine meets mysterious Werewolves in Kay Dee Royal's Best Selling 'HOT' novel "Big Girls Don't Cry Wolf". For a chance to win a copy, leave a comment!

Kay Dee, welcome to my blog. Thanks for being here today. Congratulations on Big Girls Don’t Cry Wolf over all second best selling book at Muse. It’s great to have you here today.

Hello Rosalie! Thank you so much for having me today. I’ve looked forward to this visit.

Me too Kay Dee, I had so much fun at your blog the other day. :)

Other than ‘author’ what are three words you would use to describe yourself?

Wow, only three words? LOL. Okay…career-wise, “editor,” “blogger,” “reader/promoter,” in that order. Outside of career, “Grandmother,” “wife,” “mother,” also in that order *grins*. Yeah, my husband doesn’t always like it either.

Do they influence you as a writer? Or the genre you write?

Everything I do, read, watch, touch, smell, taste, or dream about influences or inspires my writing…“everything.”

That is so true Kay Dee, I believe an author relies on their experiences to bring a believability to their writing. Even in paranormal and fantasy genres.

What is it about your chosen genre/s that fires up your muse?

Paranormal has been part of my life since youth, when I saw my dead grandpa (and it scared the crap out of me). I grew up on Sci-Fi, and Dracula, Werewolves, ghosts, telepathy, etc. I loved anything to do with the unknown or unexplained. I believe it’s the open-minded creative license that most fires up my muse. Making it plausible is the fun part for my Muse.

Goodness, seeing your dead Grandfather sounds like a story in itself. No wonder you chose this genre! I understand the creative license too!

You have a best-selling book with more about to be published, what inspired your Big Girls Don’t Cry Wolf?

What first inspired me was a call for submission to a Curvalicious contest about a heroine who is strong and confident in her plus-sized body. I loved the idea of it. There’s a twin aspect in my story as well, which came from a news clip I’d read regarding the abduction of “a” twin. It made me wonder what would happen to one without his/her other. And the location takes place at a rustic-like vacation resort. My favorite kind of places of all time.

I love your heroine, seeing herself as a larger person. Brea and her adventures with Grey make a great read. Obviously others feel the way I do.

Do you have a regime when writing? A special place, time, mood or do you snatch opportunities to pen ideas or write a few lines?

I’ve been writing full time for about ten years and I’m still working on a workable schedule for me. LOL

I’m not afraid to keep my hind-end in the chair, but selecting what’s a priority from my many irons in the fire is a whole other thing. I must love chaos. I always take a moment to write notes whenever they come at me. It’s usually the stars of my stories talking, telling me what comes next. I’ve learned to listen.

Does your Muse follow rules and plot lines or does she offer ideas on a whim?

Oh my. I write a Meet-in-the-Middle plot line, using Claudia Suzanne’s awesome little plot tool. (http://claudiasuzanne.com/) But, even with my fifteen lines of events, they change. Still, it gives me a starting point, a middle, and an ending so I have direction when I write my first word. It’s enough to streamline my focus. Also, if I stop for the day at a place where I know what happens next, I know I’ll start the next day in the flow of words (a Stephen King trick on how to never stare at a blank computer screen).

That's a great trick.

What are the most dramatic changes you have made to a story you have written? What prompted the change?

Under another name I write YA, there seemed a discrepancy with a few in my critique group, thinking my male protagonist came across too sensitive. I modeled him from a nephew, so I personally knew someone like that. I learned a tough lesson…my nephew isn’t like the average boy that age. So I went from first person, present tense, male protagonist, to third person, past tense, female protagonist. I’ve been working on this little gem for at least seven years. Geesh.

I know that feeling too. Hmm... Some stories write themselves, others take more effort.

Has there been one event in your life that changed/inspired your writing career? For example, meeting an author, finding a publisher, joining a critique group?

I virtually met an author/editor early in my career, Lea Schizas. I met her at MuseBigKids critique group, Muse On-line Conference, Apollo’s Lear magazine, bought her book on short story writing, took a couple of her on-line courses, ran into her here or there in different circles, until I heard she’d opened a publishing company. She’s been part of my writing life for a long time, so I took a leap of faith and submitted. AND, it did change my writing career. *smile*

She is a major influence on my career too!! :) Here's to Lea Schizas.

Would you like to tell us about the main characters of your book? Brea and Grey. Would you like to share an excerpt? Either or both… we are keen to learn more about Brea’s story.

Ahhh…Brea. She’s a caring soul, wants to help her adoptive parents, misses her twin, Belle, and has never had a serious love relationship. Her plus-sized body holds nothing in her head or heart. She’s unhindered by it.

Grey, alpha pack leader, (werewolf) has a twin, Blake, who plays the part of guardian for Grey’s well-being. Grey works hard at keeping the pack running smoothly, rarely plays, too responsible and committed. Nary a time to seek a lasting relationship, he remains mate-less, until...

Now more about the book... Big Girls Don't Cry Wolf...

Blurb:

After the tragic loss of her twin sister, Brea works hard to prove herself worthy of her adoptive parent’s extra attention. She focuses on the success of the rustic resort her parents deeded to her.

Priorities change when sexy twin wolves in human form walk into Brea’s life.

A dangerous rogue abducts her, but whom, if anyone comes to her rescue?

Excerpt:

Brea watched Grey’s truck drive down the dirt path until she couldn’t see it through the trees. She shivered, instantly missing the warmth of Grey’s body next to hers. She looked one more time down the path in case Grey changed his mind about leaving her.

Did I misread Grey’s intentions? Gads, I threw myself at him. Maybe he isn’t into oversized women after all. I’m such an idiot!

Brea stepped through the door of her little stone cottage. She’d never questioned her size before, always fit her just fine. Not questioning it now either. Right now she needed cozy. As crappy as she felt over Grey’s quick departure, her head throbbed like the residual effects of a hangover, but it didn’t hinder her from throwing a few logs into the fireplace. Once a nice flame got going, she absorbed the comfort of its warmth. She lay back on her divan in front of the beautiful stone hearth.

Brea pulled her favorite blanket with images of howling wolves over her and laid her head on a matching throw pillow. Her whole room reflected her love of wolves, through pictures, statues, lamp shades, and her shelves full of books about them. She needed their comfort right now to take away Grey’s rejection of her.

Brea closed her eyes for a moment, fighting an overpowering sadness. Exhaustion finally pulled her into sleep.

* * * *

A haunting wolf howl crept into Brea’s dream. It wouldn’t stop; it was so loud…until Brea snapped awake. She sat up in darkness, not even embers glowed inside the hearth, moonlight streamed in through her sliding glass door with enough light to help her maneuver through the room. She went to the glass door to draw the curtains closed, but instead she was drawn to what lay beyond her porch.

Brea opened the door, stepped out, and walked over to the railing of her ground-level deck. She saw the light of the moon cut a path across the calm lake water to the sandy shoreline fifty feet away. Chilled damp air settled over her bare arms.

She glanced to the south tree line leading into miles of forest. Something shifted the shadows of the trees, maybe an animal hiding. She didn’t hear the rustle of dry leaves that usually accompanies animal movement in the forest.

A wolf howled a short distance from Brea. Its sound reverberated against the stone cottage wall behind her, sending a shiver from her skin into her bones. She knew wolves had been sighted a few miles away, but never at the resort. For as long as she’d lived in Northern Michigan, she’d never actually seen one. Now, she was about to have a very personal experience with one.

Brea had studied them enough to know not to move or she’d spook it. She heard it breathing and slowly turned to look. Wet, warm moisture carried on the slight breeze, settling on, around, and inside her.

The moon and all its light vanished behind an ominous cloud. Two glowing green orbs appeared to float in front of her. Somewhere in her consciousness she recognized the green eyes and the assailing breath.

A direct order, something she must do, jogged her memory, compelling her. She couldn’t look away. Her body became weightless, fluid and she wanted to follow. She moved forward, off the deck, following…following something that called her. She heard it and knew she must hurry.

Suddenly hands gripped her from behind, stopping her progress.

Another warm moist breath infiltrated her senses with the scent of pine, musk, and cloves. Her need to follow disintegrated like the ash of a spent campfire. Brea came awake in the middle of the forest. Strong arms wrapped around her waist.

“It’s alright, Brea. I think you were walking in your sleep.” Grey’s voice whispered through the layers of fog that began to break apart in her mind. “Brea, take a deep breath.”

Brea turned to face Grey.

“What…I’m…it’s night.” She couldn’t seem to grasp a total thought, other than being in the middle of the forest and in Grey’s arms. What was she doing here? What was he doing here?

Grey picked her up and carried her. She heard a wolf howl, so did Grey. He stopped and raised his face. Brea watched him sniff the air. She shrugged it off, her mind in no condition to make a judgment call of what he was doing, especially for something as strange as Grey sniffing the air.

The muscles in his arms tightened, squeezing her closer to him. He ran. How he could navigate through the trees in the darkness and carry her weight, Brea couldn’t fathom, but then her brain didn’t seem to be functioning with all lobes either. She closed her eyes and tucked her head into his shoulder, like a child in his arms, safe and loved.

Loved? Where did that come from?

Grey stepped onto Brea’s deck, walking through the open sliding glass door into her cottage.

“Gads, I left my door open?”

“Like I told you, I think you were walking in your sleep. Have you ever done that before?” Grey set Brea down on the divan and went back to the door to slide it closed. He switched on a small lamp in the corner and proceeded to re-build the fire in the hearth.

“I’ve never walked in my sleep that I’m aware of. I mean I’ve never woke up in the middle of the forest in the middle of the night. I guess I’m lucky you were there. Why were you there?”

Brea watched Grey’s sleek animal-like movements, stealthy, sure-footed, with muscles rippling. Again she saw him lift his head and sniff the air. His eyes glowed silver, reminding her of other glowing eyes and a shudder quaked down her body.

Where can we get Big Girls Don’t Cry Wolf?

BGDCW at Muse store: http://tinyurl.com/2gyh8gj

BGDCW at Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/3qn6zoe

How can we follow your career?

Blogs: http://www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com http://ravencraftrealm.blogspot.com

FB: http://www.facebook.com/kaydee.royal

Kay Dee, Thanks so much for being here today. Great to ‘virtually’ meet you!

Rosalie, I always enjoy time spent with you ~ just a few days ago the virtual shoe was on the other foot. I had the honor of interviewing you and learning about the stars of your Exile series…fascinating, wild adventure. *smile* You can still visit Rosalie here: http://kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com/2011/12/rosalie-skinner-talks-about-her-exiled.html

It was great to be a guest on your blog too, Kay Dee. Thanks.

Food For the Poor Pod cast... A terrific Christmas charity appeal.

2011-12-14T09:33:00.002+11:00

Food for Poor. Podcast

Listen to learn all about Karina's Christmas charity... This is a great idea...

If you can't get the podcast to work.. here is the information again.
Thanks for your time and generosity.

Rosalie

Dear friends and readers,

This winter, I have two things in my heart and on my mind: caring for those less fortunate than me (or indeed, much of the world) and my DragonEye, PI stories. For Christmas, I’m combining them and would like to share them with you.

Those of you who are “Vern Fans,” know about my dragon who works in our world as a private investigator, and his partner, Sister Grace, a mage and nun in the Faerie Catholic Church. They’ve saved the worlds and their friends in numerous stories and novels. Last year, I wrote a story for Flagship about their first Christmas together. Not only is Grace struggling with the Mundane idea of Christmas, but their home is threatened by a land developer who wants to tear down the entire neighborhood and make a mall. When the Ghosts of Christmas come to visit him, however, Vern and Grace have to solve the mystery before the Christmas Spirits become Angels of Death.

I have revised and am publishing “Christmas Spirits” as a serial story to raise funds for Food for the Poor. This is a wonderful charity that helps people in impoverished nations help themselves. It allows donators to choose their gifts--whether rice for a family for a month, school supplies, livestock, tools or even houses.

I'm asking that you please check out the story, and, if you enjoy it and want to see more, that you donate even a dollar to the cause. Also, if you enjoy the story, let your friends know. I'll post every Tuesday and Thursday as the donations come in. Right now, we have raised enough to send a family 20 baby chicks and are halfway to a fruit tree in addition. Vern would like to send them a cow (he is a dragon, after all), but Sister Grace and I are dreaming of raising enough to buy someone a home. Can you imagine giving a HOUSE for Christmas? Will you help?

Find the story at http://christmasspirits.karinafabian.com. You can also get to it via my website, http://fabianspace.com. Look under the Christmas dragon for the link. You can learn more about Food for the Poor at http://www.foodforthepoor.org.

Thanks for your attention!

Karina Fabian

Kay Dee Royal: Rosalie Skinner ~ Talks about her Exiled Series

2011-12-13T10:00:00.000+11:00

Kay Dee Royal: Rosalie Skinner ~ Talks about her Exiled Series: Hello and welcome Rosalie…so happy to have you today as the featured guest author ~ I’ve been dying to hear all about your sci-fi fantasy...

Meet Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz...and enter a Contest.. This post is due to be live on 3rd Dec

2011-12-03T01:30:00.001+11:00

Rosalie, thank you for hosting me on your blog today. I wanted to announce a contest. Everyone who posts a comment on one of the blogs during my tour will be entered into a drawing. There will be two winners picked. I am giving away one copy of Lady-in-Waiting and one copy of Mirror, Mirror.

Welcome to my blog. Thanks for being here today and talking about your new releases Lady in Waiting and Mirror Mirror. The premise for your romance Lady in Waiting is captivating. “Will a case of mistaken identity result in true love or execution as a traitor?” That’s already roused my interest.

Penny you are a prolific author and editor. Other than ‘author’ what are three words you would use to describe yourself?

Wife, mother, and grandmother.

Do they influence you as a writer? Or the genre you write?

Yes being who I am definitely influences me. Because of my children and grandchildren, I’ve written a number of short children’s stories, two picture books, and two middle grade novels. Many of the volunteer activities I took on when my children were younger gave me the background and information I needed not only for a number of non-fiction articles, but also fodder for several stories. I probably would never write erotica because I couldn’t imagine what my children would think! LOL.

As far as my adult stories go, I would say having a wonderful husband has allowed me to create strong, healthy relationships between my male and female characters. Even when I write fantasy and science fiction, I include a touch of romance.

You write in so many genres, but today can we focus on Lady in Waiting and Mirror Mirror, these are romance titles. What is it about this genre that inspires your writing?

I love the idea of romance. I readily admit it’s lacking in a lot of our lives, but it’s such a feel-good emotion. Just looking at a sunset over the ocean invokes a sense of romance for me. Seeing a couple walking hand-in-hand down the street, or sitting close together on a park bench is inspiring.

I was headed toward a potentially dark place when I met my husband. He jokes that he “saved” me, and in some ways he did. I like to set up similar situations in a lot of my romances. I allow my characters to become enmeshed in conflicts which could bring them down, but the love of their lives helps them to find happiness.

Do you have a regime when writing? A special place, time, mood or do you snatch opportunities to pen ideas or write a few lines?

I do not have a regime. Since I began my writing career when my children were still young, I had to fit in snatches of writing time. I have never been one to force myself to sit every day in front of the computer and write. When an idea hits me, I work on it. Sometimes I can work on the story exclusively, especially now that I’m retired. Most times, however, I find it works better to find a few hours here or there. I generally write while I’m in my office, which is a small room off our library area. It has a window that looks out to my garden, my reference books close at hand, and lots of pictures of family and friends on the walls. I like it quiet when I write, so I don’t have music playing. My dogs are generally lying by my feet, keeping me company. I try to keep my cat out of the office, though, as his hair is a pain when it gets in my keyboard!

Does your Muse follow rules and plot lines or does she offer ideas on a whim?

I’m a total pantser. I don’t outline, but I do jot down notes of things like descriptions or character traits, as well as the correct spelling on a character’s name. I often end up someplace totally different from where I thought I would be when I begin to write a story.

What are the most dramatic changes you have made to a story you have written? What prompted the change?

The most dramatic change was a story I submitted early in my career. I sold The Camp to a magazine called Pursuit. I had written a story about a woman who had been treated brutally and confined to a camp for people who are “different.” When I submitted the story, the editor liked my writing, but he asked me to rewrite the story for the period after she escapes. He wanted to know how she survived on the outside. My first reaction was “no.” Then, I realized he was the editor. He knew what his readers wanted. If I wanted to sell the story, I needed to reconsider what he was asking. I did a total rewrite of the story, and I did sell it.

Has there been one event in your life that changed/inspired your writing career? For example, meeting an author, finding a publisher, joining a critique group?

Since I was a child, I’ve wanted to be a writer. My father used to make up stories for us and tell them at bedtime. I was a voracious reader, and I would entertain myself by writing stories and illustrating them. My high school English teacher first encouraged me to seriously consider writing. I wrote for the school fiction magazine. After graduation, I tried to submit stories to magazines, but of course I had no idea what I was doing. I think my first submission was to a national publication, Seventeen. I was promptly rejected. I decided I wasn’t very good after all and put off my writing career for another twenty years. Getting involved in grant writing for non-profits was the turning point for me to take up writing again. Fortunately, this was at a time when there was a lot more support for writers, and I was no longer working in a vacuum.

Would you like to tell us about the main character of your new releases /or the villains?

My main characters will be making stops at some of the blogs during the tour, so I hope your readers will be following along. The complete tour list is available on my blog and my website.

Or would you like to share an excerpt? Either or both… we are keen to learn more about the story.

EXCERPT: LADY-IN-WAITING

“Today’s the day, Mabriona,” Princess Alana said as Mabriona entered the chambers. She wiped tears from her eyes with an embroidered linen. “Prince Blayne will be here, and soon I’ll be his wife. I think the worst part of being father’s daughter is marrying someone I’ve never even met.”

“You’ve always known your marriage would be arranged for the benefit of the kingdom, Princess, but I’m sure he’ll be very nice,” Mabriona replied as she opened the heavy drapes covering the windows. She looked at her cousin and sighed. She wanted to feel sorry for Alana, but they’d had this discussion so many times. Mabriona was tired of it. Alana had known from the time she was a child that she would not wed for love. Why can’t Alana just accept her fate? Outside the day was as wet as the one before and the one before that.

“Nice? Who wants nice? I want someone handsome and dashing. A knight in shining armor who will love me forever. I certainly don’t want someone like my father who will make me do everything I don’t want to do.”

Short EXCERPT: MIRROR, MIRROR

After Stefany left, Lindsey adjusted the water spigots on her tub. A few drops of bubble bath went into the water, and the soothing scent of lavender filled the moist, steamy air. While the tub filled, Lindsey tried on her Renaissance outfit for the upcoming Faire. She couldn’t believe her good luck at finding the perfect pieces. She tested the bath water to be sure it was the right temperature. Then she picked up her antique mirror to get a better view. Was this a scryer’s mirror at some point in time? It slipped from her wet hands into the bathtub.

“Nuts,” she mumbled as she leaned over the tub. She pulled one sleeve up on her blouse and fished around in the bubbles for the mirror. When she pulled the mirror from the water, spots appeared in front of her eyes, and she felt faint. While she watched her reflection in the old mirror, the background changed. She no longer saw the inside of her bathroom. She closed her eyes as the room around her went black.

Who is publishing your story?

Both books are being released by MuseItUp Publishing.

Where can we get this book?

Lady In Waiting released November 18^th. Direct buy link is http://tinyurl.com/6u4keh5

Mirror, Mirror will release on December 30^th. MuseItUp Publishing’s bookstore link is: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2

While you’re there, be sure to check out the other fabulous titles available. MuseItUp also publishes their books on a number of other sites, including Amazon and Smashwords.

How can we follow your career?

I welcome comments from readers at pennylane97053 at yahoo dot com

My website is: http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.yolasite.com

My blog is: http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com

My Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/penny.ehrenkranz

My Twitter is: http://twitter.com/pennyehrenkranz

My author page at MuseItUp Publishing is:

https://museituppublishing.com/musepub/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=130&Itemid=82

Penny, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be here today.

Rosalie, you asked some great questions. I want to remind your readers to be sure to leave a comment to be entered in the final drawing.

Lady-in-Waiting

Through a series of misunderstandings, Mabriona is forced to live a lie, but when the man she loves awakes from his coma, will she confess her deceit?

Mabriona is cousin to the beautiful and spoiled Princess Alana. When Alana is forced to marry a man she despises, Mabriona is torn between her loyalty to her cousin and her attraction to the handsome Prince Blayne.

Tragedy befalls the cousins on the way to Prince Blayne’s castle. Servants, believing Mabriona to be Alana, refuse to listen when she tries to explain.

While she waits for Blayne to recover, Mabriona meets his equally handsome younger brother, Madoc, a bard.

When Blayne awakes, will Mabriona choose life with a future king, will she be sent home in disgrace because of her inadvertent lies, or will Madoc win her love with his poetry?

Mirror, Mirror

Lindsay Baker’s purchase of an antique mirror sends her back in time to salvage a love torn apart by class restrictions.

Lindsay Baker is intrigued by everything about the middle ages, but when she purchases an antique mirror and a costume to attend a Renaissance Faire, she suddenly finds herself transported back in time. There she finds she’s been called by a witch to right a terrible wrong.

Graham loves Prudence, but he can’t marry her because he’s landed gentry, and she is only the baker’s daughter. Before Lindsay can return to her own time, she must convince Graham to marry against his father’s wishes. Unfortunately, she also finds herself falling for the handsome gentleman.

Can she find her way back to her own time, or will she be stuck in a time when women had no rights?

Temporary buy link: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2

LADY-IN-WAITING, excerpt:

Mabriona assisted Alana down to the common dining hall as was her duty. The big room was warmed at both ends by huge hearths. In honor of Prince Blayne’s arrival, the boards had been scrubbed until they gleamed. Warm, fresh-baked loaves of bread graced each table, and the delicious aroma made Mabriona’s mouth water as they entered the room. Jars of honey mead sat within easy reach of all. Pewter bowls piled high with fresh picked apples and pears were artfully placed. Serving wenches waited, poised, with huge pots of steaming porridge.

King Cedric already sat at the upper table with Prince Blayne at his right hand. His face lit up with a smile when Alana and Mabriona approached. His voice boomed as he greeted his daughter, “Here she is, the flower of my life.”

Mabriona’s breath caught in her throat as her eyes met Blayne’s. As Alana had feared, the young prince was dark-haired with eyes the color of jet, his stature kingly. Broad shoulders and well-muscled arms nicely filled out his deep purple brocaded doublet. A full beard of coarse black hair covered his cheeks and chin, but what stopped Mabriona was his smile. Never before had she seen someone’s face light up like the sun rising on a summer’s morn. Yet, this was what came to her mind. Clearly, Blayne’s smile was meant for her, but why?

He stood and walked toward the women. “Princess Alana,” he said, bowing before Mabriona, his glance speaking words of heat and passion.

“Oh no, Your Highness,” Mabriona said, blushing. “I am Princess Alana’s lady-in-waiting, Lady Mabriona.” She felt Alana glaring daggers at her and quickly curtseyed to hide her embarrassment. Alana made it clear earlier she wasn’t attracted to dark-haired men, why is she so angry? It isn’t my fault the prince was confused. Alana looked down at the floor before glancing up at the handsome prince.

“Forgive me, Lady Mabriona. I’ve made an unthinkable error.” Prince Blayne bowed again and then turned to Alana. “Your Highness, your beauty should have made it clear to me you are my intended.”

Mabriona’s heart sunk. She saw Alana’s cold look as Blayne bowed and took her hand to kiss. She knew then that Alana hated him, yet Alana would marry him as her father decreed. It was unfair, but Mabriona was already wise enough to know she couldn’t change her lot in life. Alana would marry the handsome prince and live happily ever after, and she would remain the ever-faithful servant catering to Princess Alana’s every wish.

Blayne grasped Alana’s elbow and led her to the table to sit beside him. Yet as Mabriona watched them, Blayne’s gaze slid back to her, lingering as if he could imprint her image upon his soul. Her knees felt weak, and Mabriona quickly took a seat at the far end of the board. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest. What was happening to her? Prince Blayne was not the first man to have caught her eye, yet he was certainly the first to have affected her so she could barely breathe. Unobserved and temporarily forgotten, she watched the couple. Just as she suspected, Alana kept her nose in the air and cringed each time Blayne looked at or touched her. King Cedric would get an earful as soon as Alana got him alone, of that Mabriona was certain. Her heart bled for the handsome prince.

She looked up to see Alana motioning furiously at her. She went to the princess and bent near her. “Yes, Princess?”

“Get me out of here, now,” Alana whispered harshly.

Mabriona offered her hand, and Alana rose from her place. Blayne looked up, catching Mabriona’s gaze. His eyes sparkled, and a smile spread across his face. He bowed his head slightly. He openly flirted with her. This could not be happening. If King Cedric saw the interplay, what would he think? Blayne was the intended of Alana. Things could not get any worse. Her thoughts tumbled like the bones the guards threw when they played at betting games.

**************************************

MIRROR, MIRROR excerpt:

“Fool-born child! Watch where you are walking. The master will have your hide for getting mud all over his clean shirts.”

Someone pulled her ear—hard—and Lindsey yelped with pain. She was tugged up into a kneeling, then standing position, before she opened her eyes. She realized in the first moment she was no longer in Oregon.

“Where is your cap? If the master sees you with your hair hanging down all over your face, he will switch us both.”

She stared wide-eyed as a large, buxom woman bent down, picked up dirty white shirts from the ground, and thrust them into Lindsey’s arms.

“‘Tis not here. Take my extra one.” The woman grabbed Lindsey’s hair, balled it, and shoved it into a long, sleeve-like cap, which came to Lindsey’s forehead and fell down around her shoulders. Balancing the load of shirts with one hand, she felt the cap. Not a shred of her hair was showing.

“Um, thanks,” she said.

“Well, donna be thanking me now. You just watch what you be doing next time, clumsy girl. Now march back into the washhouse and get the mud off those shirts. When you have finished, hang them out to dry. Then get you into the kitchen and help cook with dinner.” The woman brushed her hands off; then she smoothed her apron and marched through a courtyard toward a large stone house.

Dumbfounded, Lindsey stood where the woman left her. She looked down at herself and saw she still wore her second-hand clothes from St. Vincent de Paul’s. Her feet were bare. Then she noticed the woman walking away from her was also barefooted. Despite the muddy courtyard, the air was warm and so was the soil. But where am I? As she looked around, the structure of the buildings reminded her of pictures from her British History course in college.

In the opposite direction from which the woman took, Lindsey noticed a path leading to a small outbuilding. Smoke rose from a chimney. She trudged back to the washhouse, opened the door but stepped back outside when her eyes began to tear, and the heat blasted her face. Do people actually work under these conditions? With the door opened, some of the smoke and steam cleared, and she was able to see a large wooden tub sitting on metal legs straddling hot coals. Lindsey dumped the load of shirts into the tub, picked up a stick and stirred the load in the water. Before long, her muscles ached, and she had blisters on her hands. Once the tears began, there was no stopping them. Until this point, she hadn’t thought much beyond putting one foot in front of the other. She collapsed on a small overturned crate and with head in hands, had a good cry.

With red, puffy eyes, and stuffed nose, Lindsey looked up when the door opened. A wizened old woman leaning on a cane shuffled in. She looked at Lindsey with questioning eyes. “Is it really you, Mistress?” she asked.

“What do you mean? Who am I supposed to be?” Lindsey responded between sobs.

The old woman began to dance. “It worked! It worked!”

Lindsey wiped the tears from her eyes with the bottom of her skirt. “What worked?” she asked, realizing this woman might know what happened.

“Why the summoning I did for Mistress Prudence. So you’re the one, eh?” The old woman pinched Lindsey’s cheek and turned Lindsey’s face from side to side to get a good look. “Well you do look like the young Mistress.

When are you from, then?”

“You did say when, not where?”

“Of course. I know you’re not from now, foolish simpkin. I brung you here.”

“This morning it was 2011. I’m not sure what year it is now.”

“‘Tis the year 1421, and you need to get busy, little missy. You need to get the Master to accept Prudence as his bride. Soon as you do, we can send you back from whence you came.”

Lindsey stood and looked down at the little woman. “Just how do you propose I do that? Who is this master, anyway?”

“Why, he be the master of the house. He loves our Prudence, he does, but his father wants him to marry for money. He’s just distraught our Master is. I wager you be a smart woman. You can get our Master to marry you. I canna help you anymore, but I’ll be watching you.” The crone turned and shuffled toward the door.

Great excerpts Penny... I am already eager to read more...Thank you for being my guest today and for your generous contest. Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win!!!

New Book trailer for Exiled: Winter's Curse.

2011-11-23T17:43:00.002+11:00

New Book Trailers for Exiled: Autumn's Peril

2011-11-23T16:53:00.000+11:00

SPECIALS on at MUSEITUP till Nov 23rd

2011-11-19T10:18:00.000+11:00

SPECIALS UNTIL NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Check out this Christmas Charity Idea from Karina Fabian...

2011-11-17T13:00:00.000+11:00

Karina Fabian

Dear friends and readers,

The Chronicles of Caleath are mentioned again... on Edi's Book Lighthouse...

2011-11-15T20:25:00.001+11:00

Edi's Book Lighthouse: Edi's Weekend Wave #1146

Edi's Book Lighthouse is a great supporter of the Chronicles and it is with great pleasure that I sent him my first copy of Book three, Exiled The Legacy of Lathraine's Pledge.
I know Edi has a vast number of books to read but he takes time out for Caleath's adventures and when he gets his ereader for Christmas, working with ebooks should get much easier for him.
Still.. he's a great source of information for Fantasy fans, on what is out there to read.

Thanks again Edi.. for the mention. Good luck reaching your goal for reading in 2011. You are doing an amazing job.

Meet Margaret Fieland, author of Relocated...

2011-11-10T15:43:00.001+11:00

Welcome to my blog Margaret. Thanks for being here today. In 2012 you are to release your Science Fiction novel RELOCATED for young tween readers through Museitup Publishing.

BLURB:

When fourteen-year-old Keth's Dad is transferred to planet Aleyne, he doesn't know what to expect. Certainly not that Dad grew up here and that he studied and work with Ardaval, a noted Aleyni scholar. Keth discovers he's developped psi, illegal in the Terran Federation, and he flees to Ardaval, only to learn later that the Aleyni is his grandfather. When Keth's friend's father, Mazos, is kidnapped by the terrorists, Keth tries to free him but is captured himself. Will he succeed in freeing them both and catching the terrorists, and what will be the cost if he does?

Congratulations! The planet of Aleyne sounds like an amazing place.

Other than ‘author’ what are three words you would use to describe yourself?

Musician, reader, messy, compulsive – and yes, that's more than three words. I'm not always great at following rules.

Do they influence you as a writer? Or the genre you write?

Everything influences me as a writer, because it's all part of who I am. The musician has had a huge effect on my ear, especially my ear as a poet – I have a good feel for meter, and the reading has influenced my vocabulary. Because I started out writing poetry, I am aware of the importance of the correct word choice. I love www.thesaurus.com.

What is it about science fiction that fires up your muse?

You know, that's funny. I started reading science fiction as a kid, and by age 10 was already a devoted fan – I selected Robert A. Heinlein's “Farmer in the Sky” for my 10^th birthday. But I wrote for years without going near science fiction. My first novel, which won't be published until 2013, after “Relocated,” is a kid's chapter book. I had sort of a phobia about writing science fiction, in fact, so last year for NaNoWriMo I decided to write a sci fi novel – for kids, of course, in order to “get over” my phobia.
That's a great way to get over a phobia...it obviously worked a treat!

You are about to be published with Museitup, what inspired this story?

As I said, I wanted to write a sci fi story, and to me the most daunting part of that was the world building, so that (and the characters) were where I put most of my pre-NaNo planning. I tell myself stories in my head all the time, and I'd been thinking about a society based on mutual responsibility, rather than on law, for a long time. I liked the idea of the psi, because making the aliens have psi – and not the Terrans – and having psi illegal for Terrans made for a ready source of conflict. Then, too, the idea of relationships with more than two people had been rattling around in my head for some time, also. I made my aliens dark-skinned for a couple of reasons – I wanted to make them distinctive looking, I was really, really tired of the good guys always being the fair-skinned ones, and it allowed me to play against type.

Do you have a regime when writing? A special place, time, mood or do you snatch opportunities to pen ideas or write a few lines?

I don't have a set regime – other than that I'm committed to writing every day. I'm a member of a poetry writing group, so that I have weekly commitments there, and I recently joined another writing critique group for fiction. I keep paper and pen handy everywhere, but I keep “master” copies of my work online in Google documents. I do this for a couple of reasons: they have to back up the data, and since it's their business, they take it seriously, and the stuff is accessible from any computer. Plus I can share it. Having my writing organized and accessible is a huge reason for my ability to progress as a writer.

Does your Muse follow rules and plot lines or does she offer ideas on a whim?

She spews out idea. I''ve started to keep notes – I have a file for each of a number of book ideas. Right now I'm working on a successor to “Relocated,” where my main character, Keth, is four years older. I've noted a couple of more ideas in that universe as well. Anything can spark an idea.

What are the most dramatic changes you have made to a story you have written? What prompted the change?

Yikes. The first book I wrote, I wrote in a weekend. It was 5000 words. Then I spent the next couple of years learning enough about fiction to rewrite it and really make it into a good story. There were major changes in what happened, in the characters, in where I started the story. And that was prompted by my having learned enough about writing to see what I had to do. It ended up about 11,000, and it went through at least 3 major revisions.

Has there been one event in your life that changed/inspired your writing career? For example, meeting an author, finding a publisher, joining a critique group?

It was a couple of things. I'd complained to one of my sons one weekend that I wanted to work on a poem, but the latest copy was on another computer. He told me about Yahoo Briefcase (I've since switched to Google Documents), and so I put copies of all my poems up. Then, since I knew what I had, I could start to progress in my writing. I entered a contest (only possible because I had my poems handy and knew what I had), entered a contest, and was a finalist. I was psyched, so I joined an online community and started working on my poetry.

Then , through someone in the community, I found out about the Muse Online Writers Conference. I hooked up with Linda Barnett Johnson, and joined her writing forums. At the time, I was writing only poetry, but Linda insisted that everyone write fiction also. I was lucky enough to get my first story accepted to a website. I got hooked on fiction, and I now write both fiction and poetry. I started writing for kids for a couple of reasons – I love kids fiction, and read it constantly, I have three sons, a stepson, and a stepdaughter, and the shorter length made it less intimidating. Little did I know that in lots of ways, children's fiction is more difficult than writing for adults. But I got hooked on writing it, and here I am.

Would you like to tell us about the main character of your book and/or the villain? Or would you like to share an excerpt? Either or both… we are keen to learn more about the story. The whole idea of four person relationships sounds intriguing and makes me want to know more. Psi is always interesting and a great draw card to grab my attention.

Well, I wrote 30 poems while writing the book, by an ancestor of one of the characters in the book – and my main character's namesake. I'll share a couple that doesn't appear in the book.

Who Will Play Music?
Who remains to play the music, now musician’s dead?
Which lips set bright brasses blowing? The man’s cold in his bed.
Whose hand renders strings a strumming now the fiiddler’s gone?
Whose hand genders drums a drumming as night turns to dawn?

Our hands start the drums a drumming as dawn turns to day,
ours the fingers on strings, strumming,. We’ll sit down to play.
Our lips put to brasses blowing, knowing he will hear.
We will keep his music going, from us to his ear.

The Choice
The hour has come to make our choice,
listen to the still, small voice,

choosing values to uphold,
the way of love, the way of gold,

empire with hands across the sky,
riders in a desert dry,

those who love the outer shell
or those who honor inner selves,

the way of dark, the way of light.
Our feet upon our path this night.

Who is publishing your story?

MuseItUp publishing division, MuseItYoung. It will be available in July, 2012.

Where can we get this book?

You can't, yet.

We must be patient a little longer... So in the meantime, how can we follow your career?

Check out my website and blog, http://www.margaretfieland.com/

Thanks for participating Margaret, 'Relocate' sounds amazing and your poetry is wonderful. What a talented writer you are! I am so glad you decided to take up writing Science Fiction.

Teen Word Factory: Science Fiction, Science Fact or Fantasy...

2011-11-09T20:46:00.000+11:00

Teen Word Factory: Science Fiction, Science Fact or Fantasy...

Teen Word Factory: Exiled Autumn's Peril... character interview...

2011-11-09T20:29:00.000+11:00

Teen Word Factory: Exiled Autumn's Peril... character interview...

MUSEITUP Retreat Montreal...

2011-11-04T10:52:00.005+11:00

This weekend will see the first Museitup Publishing Retreat in Pointe Claire Montreal.
With a huge booksigning function at Zellers, heaps of door prizes and the chance to meet and greet many of the Museitup authors, this function is set to make history.

Thanks to Christine London, who is attending the retreat, we have photos and commentary on how the weekend is progressing. Share some great images here...
'One November Day In Old Montreal'. Join Christine in Quebec's largest and most

beautiful city for some autumnal splendour.
Muse Retreat Authors and Update!!!

Meet lots of Muse authors!
Thanks Christine...
Watching with anticipation from DownUnder, although I won't be there in person, I appreciate the photos and wait with bated breath for promised You tube videos and snippets of news.
Congratulations must go to the organisers and to Litsa and Lea for their work creating Museitup as a great group of authors with a family spirit.
Way to go team!!

Article from the West Land Gazette...

http://westislandgazette.com/event/26213

Zellers Pointe Claire and MuseItUp Publishing hosting a Mega Extravaganza Booksigning event

Date: Saturday, November 5, 2011 - 1:00pm

Contact: Lea Schizas publisher@museituppublishing.com

Location: Zellers Pointe Claire

Address: 195 Hymus

Website: http://www.museituppublishing.com

Zellers Pointe Claire on Hymus on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 1-5 p.m. is hosting a Mega Extravaganza Booksigning with authors of MuseItUp Publishing from
around the world. There will be four door prizes from MuseItUp Publishing, and Zellers will offer 500,000 ClubZ points to one lucky winner. The drawing of names will happen at 4 p.m. in-store.There will be coffee, cookies, and treats for one and all.Books to suit all ages, from middle grade chapter books to adult books, such as mystery, romance, fantasy, paranormal, sci-fi, historical fiction, and more.

91 Odd socks... Inspiring...

2011-10-24T14:29:00.001+11:00

I was introduced to this blog by someone very close to me, who suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and at this time is battling through a relapse.
This blog is written by a young girl who suffers from a chronic illness, I have a feeling it is the same one.
When people ask what inspired the Chronicles of Caleath, they are often surprised to realise Caleath's adventures stemmed from watching a young adult watch their life change dramatically and irrevocably because of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
So I am sharing the link to 91 Odd Socks...
An inspiring blog that gives us an insight into the courage and strength needed to face life with a chronic illness.
Well worth a visit.

Kat Holmes talks about Heart of the Queen

2011-10-22T12:08:00.003+11:00

Welcome to my blog Kat. Thanks for being here today. You are celebrating the release of the next book in your ‘hot’ Gods at Work series. "Heart of the Queen". Congratulations. Can you give us a quick overview of the series.

It is my pleasure to be here today. My Gods series means a lot to me. I have such a love and obsession with Greek mythology. Ever since I read my first Greek myth I have been hooked.

The series itself came about because of the banking crisis. People were losing their jobs left and right and had less money to spend on luxuries. I started to ask myself, what if this had a cascade effect on the Gods. What if, because people were broke, they no longer left great gifts for the Gods and they were broke? How would they react to being broke and being forced to come down here to earth and work? Thus the series was born.

What a great idea for a series. Wouldn't we love to see how the gods would cope with working for a living. Love it already.

Other than ‘author’ what are three words you would use to describe yourself?

Interesting question. :) I suppose I’d say daughter, dreamer and reader.

Do they influence you as a writer? Or the genre you write?

I think everything influences me as a writer. Much of me, much of my life is in my books. I don’t think we authors of fiction are able to avoid putting much of ourselves into our characters and their dilemmas.

What is it about your chosen genre/s that fires up your muse?

I don’t really have a chosen genre. I flit from many. Paranormal, fantasy, contemporary, you name it. My muse has a mind of her own and she decides what she’s gonna do. I’m just along for the ride.

Do you have a regime when writing? A special place, time, mood or do you snatch opportunities to pen ideas or write a few lines?

Not really. When I’m writing I do prefer to do it early when I’m fresh, but I write when my muse makes me write. There are times late at night when I’m sleeping my muse will force me to wake up and write.

Does your Muse follow rules and plot lines or does she offer ideas on a whim?

Oh whim without a doubt. Even if I think I know where a story is going, she’ll make a 180 degree turn on me and surprise me. And quite often her turns are right and just what the story needed.

What are the most dramatic changes you have made to a story you have written? What prompted the change?

I had to change a title because it was published elsewhere.

Has there been one event in your life that changed/inspired your writing career? For example, meeting an author, finding a publisher, joining a critique group?

I met N.J. Walters, an extremely talented author who became a good friend. She encouraged me to try submitting my own work. I credit being published at all to her encouragement.

Would you like to tell us about the main character of this latest book and/or the villain? Or would you like to share an excerpt? Either or both… we are keen to learn more about the story and see what the gods get up to....

This story is definitely for adults. It’s an erotica story dealing with a ménage. My main characters are Hera, queen of the gods and two human men named James and Noah. The title is Heart Of The Queen and it is out now.

Who is publishing your story?

Muse It Up Publishing’s hotter side, Muse It Hot.

Where can we get this book?

http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2

How can we follow your career?

I’m on twitter and facebook under my own name. And I have a blog, a website and a Blog Talk Radio show.

www.authorkatholmes.webs.com

http://katluvr130.blogspot.com

www.blogtalkradio.com/katholmes1212

Kat, Thanks for participating.

Thank you so much for having me Rosalie. I loved being here. :)

Rock Crazy... talking to Rochelle Weber...

2011-10-21T07:30:00.001+11:00

Welcome to my blog Rochelle. Thanks for being here today. Rock Crazy has been released through Museitup Publishing. This is the tag line. Abandoned, pregnant and bi-polar, Katie McGowan’s going crazy on that God-forsaken rock, the Moon! Now that’s a tag line you can’t ignore.

I have come across the heartache being bi polar can cause. Seen how some have dealt with it, shared the tragedy. I look forward to reading Rock Crazy to see how Katie handles her situation.

Right, this is about you, Rochelle and your career as a writer, rather than Katie’s adventure. So, other than ‘author’ what are three words you would use to describe yourself?

RW: Grandma, bi-polar and recently, thin!

Great words, Rochelle. Congartulations on the THIN one.. I wish I could claim that too. Grandma.. I cherish that title too. Sort of glad I skip the middle one! Do these words influence you as a writer? Or the genre you write?

RW: Obviously, being bi-polar had a large influence on Rock Crazy, as the dedication to the psychiatric professionals indicates. Everyone tells us to, “Write what you know.” I asked one of my professors how you do that and still write fiction and he said, “Write it the way you wish it was.” So, I guess I could say my heroines are me the way I wish I’d been when I was younger and my heroes are the kind of men I wish I’d had in my life.

What is it about your Science fiction that fires up your muse?

RW: I turned my nose up at Sci-Fi when I was younger. I didn’t think it was “real writing” like romance. Then my husband, who was a submarine sailor, brought home a sci-fi book he insisted I’d like. It was really goods I looked for more books by Robert A. Heinlein and found Stranger in a Strange Land. I was hooked. There was such a thing as very well-written sci-fi. If you read a genre enough, that’s what you end up writing, although there were many years that I avoided writing sci-fi because most of the sci-if authors I admire were scientists who wrote and I’m a writer whose geometry teacher suggested I take sewing. Since math is the language of science, I never progressed much farther in either. I would probably have worked harder in geometry if someone had explained that to me. By the way...like my suit? I sewed it myself.

What inspired your story?

RW: In college the book I worked on was a romance in which I worked out the angst of my divorce. The first three years of my marriage we lived in Hawaii (which is where I got out of the Navy), five thousand miles from home.

While we were there I had both of my children and buried both of my parents. It was at best a nine-hour flight with an hour stopover on the west coast and a four or five hour time difference depending on the time of year. And my husband was at sea more than he was home.

Even when he wasn’t on six-month long Western Pacific cruises, he was on weekly operations, leaving on Monday, coming home on Friday and then having duty on Saturday or Sunday half the time. I called it “that God-forsaken rock,” and kissed the ground when I got back to the Mainland.

Much of my life I’ve felt isolated and when my marriage ended, my ex was working outages at nuclear power plants around the country. He dumped in a town I’d never heard of 750 miles from home because he couldn’t take my mood swings anymore. I wasn’t diagnosed yet. I gave up custody of my children because I threw horrible tantrums and I was afraid of hurting them.

Eventually I was diagnosed and went on meds. I was fine until menopause. Then my hormones got scrambled, my meds stopped working, I got more and more violent, and I ended up on the locked ward at the Veteran’s Hospital. I dusted off that old manuscript from college, made Katie bi-polar and pregnant and moved it from upstate New York to the Moon where she could get a chip implanted in her head and cure her disease. I also changed the hormone imbalance from menopause to pregnancy.

Do you have a regime when writing? A special place, time, mood or do you snatch opportunities to pen ideas or write a few lines?

RW: I live with my daughter and my room started life as an attached garage, became a family room in the seventies, and a sick room for the landlord’s mother in the eighties. I’ve divided my bed area from my living/work area with bookcases. I have my computer on a desk and that’s pretty much where I work. I usually look at e-mail for about an hour, but I’m trying change that and write first, so I don’t get “sucked into the [internet] vortex,” as I call it. I usually try to spend a couple of hours on a WIP, then write a book review if I’m behind on those, and then read—unless my granddaughter gets home from school and needs a ride somewhere. Pretty much once I leave the house I’m done. I never quite make it back to work.

Does your Muse follow rules and plot lines or does she offer ideas on a whim?

RW: I’m a pantser. I usually have an idea of a tag line so I have a beginning and an end, but the middle is fairly non-existent until it comes out of my fingers.

Me too...that's exactly how my muse works too.

What are the most dramatic changes you have made to a story you have written? What prompted the change?

RW: I guess I mostly answered that above. Although, I decided to write a paragraph or two of back-story about some of the first-wavers on the Moon and they kind of took over and became a whole other book which I published first. That book is Rock Bound.

Has there been one event in your life that changed/inspired your writing career? For example, meeting an author, finding a publisher, joining a critique group?

RW: I’ve been writing pretty much my whole life, but I never thought of it as a career. I wanted to be a nurse, but I didn’t make it through nursing school. They said I was too immature. I left school the day before my eighteenth birthday.

It took me two more years of menial jobs to climb out of my hole and join the Navy in hopes that by using the GI Bill I’d be able to go back to nursing school someday. After two years of being the klutz on the ward, I realized I really was not the best fit for nursing and anyway, I didn’t want to be up to my elbows in bodily fluids, nor did I want to work rotating shifts.

I thought working in a doctor’s office would be a good idea. Unfortunately, they didn’t care that I could suction out a tracheotomy, insert a naso-gastric tube, catheterize a patient or assist with an IV cut-down (minor surgery). They wanted to know how fast I typed, and if I knew bookkeeping. So I went to secretarial.

Coming out of secretarial school, the docs’ offices all wanted to know if I had experience with insurance forms. I was extremely frustrated when the school called and asked if I wanted to interview for a job at a radio station. So…I ended up working at National Public Radio affiliate in Charleston, South Carolina the first year of the Spoleto Festival. And I had a press pass! No one worked much the week after the Festival and I was writing a letter to my mother-in-law which I showed to Marcia Byars-Warnock, one of our producers. I wanted to be sure I had my facts straight.

She read it and said, “Rochelle! You can write! I feel like I’m there!” Marcia became my mentor, encouraging me to write scripts and press releases for the station. She published a newspaper for stamp collectors and encouraged me to write for her. I took over a local newspaper column for our church and started college with an eye toward either journalism or writing.

Would you like to tell us about Katie and her problems? Would share an excerpt? Either or both… we are keen to learn more about the story.

RW: Sure. Here’s the back-cover blurb and an excerpt.

Katie McGowan is bi-polar, and she’s run the gamut of medications, but nothing works anymore. Everyone says her she should have a microchip implanted in her brain that can regulate her mood swings. But Katie doesn’t want to be a robot. In a tough love move, her husband, Scott takes her to the Moon—and dumps her. Katie’s stuck on that God-forsaken “rock,” and thinks she’s space sick. But she’s wrong; she’s pregnant. Now the surgery’s too dangerous and she has to go off her meds until the baby’s born.

Scott’s elated that he’s going to be a father and assumes Katie will take him back. He has no clue how badly he’s hurt her, how thoroughly he’s broken her trust—or that he may not get her back at all.

EXCERPT:

Excerpt 2 The Break-Up

Rockton, Inside Mt. Aragaeus 19° N 29° E, the Moon

February, 2066

She rarely ventured out of their small apartment. Rockton was the first colony on the Moon, and it was settled by convicts. Oh, Katie knew that most of the first wave were political prisoners of the Freezeland administration, but how could she know there weren’t murderers and rapists there, too? Of course Rockton had a low crime rate. But Katie wondered how accurate that was. After all, the people keeping track of the crimes were criminals themselves. She wanted nothing to do with them.

The day before her period she had an F-5. [Note: Katie rates her tantrums on the same scale as tornadoes.] Their credit statement arrived. Even Katie couldn’t believe how much money she’d spent traveling before they left Earth. Scott came home and checked the terminal for mail.

“What the hell is this?” he asked.

“What?”

“The credit statement, that’s what.”

“I said good-bye to a few friends before we left.”

“Said goodbye to a few friends! These’re flight charges!”

“Well, I had to see everybody one last time.”

“You could have seen them on holo.”

“I needed hugs.”

“Thousand-credit hugs? In the space of a month you spent more than I make a quarter!”

“I didn’t ask to come up here!” Katie’s voice was rising.

“I couldn’t leave you Earthside!”

“No, not without a baby-sitter! I’m a grown woman! I can take care of myself! And if you’d just leave me alone…”

Katie lost it. She started screaming, and she tried to pummel Scott. And this time when they ended up on the floor she landed on top of him and managed to connect with his face.

“I knew you’d kill ‘im,” her mother said.

“Leave me alone!” Katie screamed.

This is really not good, Katie. The Voice chimed in. You’re going to hurt Scott.

“F*** you!”

You’ll end up in jail. No one in our family ever acted this way, her mother said.

“Get the hell out of my sight, you f***ing bitch!”

Katie didn’t know how long it went on.

* * * *

Scott managed to grab her hands and they rolled over. He pinned her as best he could in the light gravity. His face was swollen and there was pounding on the door, which finally dilated. The manager stood there in shock, and two men in uniforms pulled her him off of her.

“What’s going on here?” the first officer asked. He was average height and weight, and didn’t look as though he could subdue anyone, but Rockton cops wore belts with weights—which gave them an advantage in the low gravity.

“My wife’s bi-polar,” Scott explained, as Katie burst into tears.

“I’m sorrrrreeeee!” she wailed.

“Oh! Came up for the surgery, did you?” the other officer asked.

“No!…I d-don’t wanna b-be a z-zombie,” Katie said, as she managed to hiccup between sobs.

The officers looked at them. Katie had bruises forming on her arms, Scott could feel blood running down his face from a gash near his left eye, which was jut about swollen shut.

“D’ya wanna press charges, Mr…”

“McGowan,” Scott answered. “Scott McGowan.”

Katie sat on the bed crying, and he glanced at her, then shook his head.

“No. It’s over, now. She’s not dangerous anymore.”

“Well, she better get some kind of help,” the first cop warned. “We don’t tolerate violence up here.” He turned toward Katie. “We’ll give ya a warning this time, but next time we’ll have to take you in.”

“Let’s get you down to the hospital, Mr. McGowan,” the second cop suggested. You don’t wanna lose sight in that eye.”

“We’ll get someone in here to keep an eye on your wife.”

“No,” Scott said. He sighed, then looked at her, still sobbing on the bed. “She has a sedative for times like these.”

He got the sedative out and injected it, then the officers helped him settle Katie back into the bed. She was still crying, and wailed one more fading “I’m sorrrrreeeee!” as she fell asleep. The cops led Scott out.

“How long will that keep her out?” the cop asked.

“She’ll sleep at least a day, maybe two or three.”

* * * *

Katie awoke the next day. Scott sat at the table with his duffle bag. He wore an eye-patch, and he looked grim.

“What’re ya doing?” she asked.

“We’ve been evicted,” he said.

“What? Why?”

“Why d’ya think? Because of you.”

His voice was flat, mechanical. Katie was almost more afraid of his lack of anger, than she would have been if he’d actually yelled at her. But then, maybe he felt they’d done enough yelling for one day.

“Did you pack my stuff?” Katie was sitting up now and she noticed he only had one bag by his feet.

“You have a week to find another place,” he replied.

“What d’ya mean I have a week? You’ve found us a place to live, haven’t you?”

“I’m moving into the men’s barracks. It’s in my contract that they have to give me a place to stay while I’m working up here.” He didn’t look at her when he said this.

“So that’s it? We’re over?”

“I can’t take it anymore, Katie. And yes, thank you very much for asking—I have not lost the sight in my left eye. It’ll heal eventually.”

“Scott, I’m sorry…”

“But not sorry enough to have the surgery, are you?”

“I don’t wanna be a zombie, Scott. There was a woman in the hospital last time I was there… Or was it two times ago? Anyway, she’d had the chip implanted, but something went wrong and she’ll be in the hospital the rest of her life. She can’t even feed herself. They were getting ready to move her to a nursing home.”

She started crying again.

“Scott, I love you! Please don’t leave me! What’ll I do without you?”

“Our contract says I have to give you thirty days’ notice. Well, this is it. I’ll support you for thirty days. Then you’re on your own.”

Who is publishing your story?

MuseItUp Publishing, Inc.

Where can we get this book? http://tinyurl.com/museituprockcrazy

How can we follow your career?

Website: www.rochelleweber.com

Blog: http://rochelleweber.blogspot.com

Blog: http://rochellesreviews.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1067356188

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/RochelleWeber

Rochelle, thanks for participating.

Thank you for hosting me, Lady Rosalie! I’ve greatly appreciated it.

Thanks for being here Rochelle,please make yourself at home. We have plenty of gluten, sugar and dairy free nibbles, cucumber sandwiches on gluten free bread, comfy chairs and hot coffee, tea or something stronger.

A confession from the author of Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator.

2011-10-18T13:00:00.001+11:00

KARINA FABIAN: I have a confession to make. I am not a big fan of zombies.

Yes, I did write Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator, and I do sport t-shirts that say "Napalm sticks to zombies" and "I (grenade) zombies." But that's about the extent of my fandom.

So what possessed me to write a zombie novel? Simple, I was asked. I actually put it off for awhile, too, but a couple of lovely friends kept at me--first to write a zombie story for The Zombie Cookbook, then to write a zombie novel for Damnation Books.

Both turned out to be great fun and are doing well, plus I learned a few things that have helped me in writing other books. Overall, it's been a great experience, even if I still don't much care for zombies. I definitely recommend to authors that if someone challenges you to venture into a topic you're not especially fond of, keep an open mind and try it out. You might surprise yourself.

I don't much care for zombie stories or movies because it's pretty much about the hack-and-slash, which isn't especially interesting to me. Or the book takes another angle and makes zombies the new "misunderstood" species, like sparkly vampires. Not my style, unless I'm going to parody, as I did in "My Big, Fat Zombie Wedding." (The Zombie Cookbook: http://amzn.to/qfdtiK) So I wanted to keep the zombies the usual shambling undead while doing something that would entertain me.

"Wokking Dead" really was intended to be a pun fest involving zombies. I had a cynical exterminator taking out an infestation of zombies in a Korean restaurant. However, Neeta stole the show with her wit and style and chainsaw, so the publisher asked me to write a book.

Piers Anthony has already done the novel-sized pun fest, so I needed to develop the world and give Neeta a more interesting challenge than just hacking off heads. So I thought hard about how the world would react to a real zombie threat. First off, we wouldn't run around like ninnies.
We'd fight, and not just with shotguns. Napalm sticks to zombies. We'd also find a way to stop the contagion, or prevent the zombies from digging their way out.
Spine severing laws cover that for my world. And, since America loves nothing more than an underdog, unless it's entertainment, there would be zombie rights groups and television shows. Toss in some academia and politics, and I had a terrific playground for Neeta's stories.

Do I still dislike zombies? Of themselves, they aren't especially interesting to me, though I did finally watch Zombieland and thought it good for a few chuckles. However, I found a way to work something I didn't enjoy into other things that I did--satire, irony, political commentary, and some terrific characters who are doing a horrific job. As long as I like that, I'll keep writing zombie books.

Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator
The Zombie Apocalypse Meets Reality TV!

By the 2040s, the shambling dead have become and international problem.
While governments and special interest groups vie for the most environmentally-friendly way to rid the world of zombies, a new breed of exterminator has risen: The Zombie Exterminator.

When zombie exterminator Neeta Lyffe gets sued because a zombie she set afire stumbles onto a lawyer's back porch, she needs money, fast.

So she agrees to train apprentice exterminators in a reality TV show that makes Survivor look like a game of tag.

But that's nothing compared to having to deal with crazy directors, bickering contestants and paparazzi.

Can she keep her ratings up, her bills paid and her apprentices alive and still keep her sanity?

For More Information: http://www.karinafabian.com/index.php?name=Content&pid=33

Video Trailer Embed code:

Video Trailer YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8798Iyubocw

Sale links:

From the publisher: http://www.damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615722723

From Amazon: KINDLE:

Print:

Byline: The Zombie Apocalypse Meets Reality TV!

Excerpt:

The workout room had a weights set and an elliptical in one corner, but Neeta ignored them. She needed more vigorous exercise than that if she wanted to burn off her emotional funk.

None of the plebes had done the routine she'd just set for herself. It didn't really reflect the reality of zombie movements, either. Although the crew had designed the targets to look much like actual undead, they moved too quickly, changed direction too suddenly, lunged and retreated in ways zombies couldn't imitate. They zigged and zaggged, dropped from the ceiling to zoom back up, flung themselves from the ground to trip the unwary. For once, this wasn't about training.

Neeta steeled herself, found an opening and dove in with a roar. She swung high, tagging the first zombie with the edge of her blade just as it got within her reach.

This was about reflexes,

She jumped over the arm that sprung up in front of her, doing the splits as she brought down her chainsaw to slice the hand off at the wrist.

…about burning aggression,

She spun a full circle, moving the saw in a sine wave. She took one target out at the knees, sliced another sideways across the chest, beheaded a third.

…about moving beyond thought and planning and negotiations with writers and directors and people who cared more for ratings than lives,

She lunged, spun, kicked and swung, her battle cries a perfect accompaniment to the pounding music.

A buzzer sounded, and the lights brightened and steadied. The targets stopped their frenetic motions and presented themselves for her to examine. She dropped the saw where she stood and braced her hands against her knees to catch her breath. Her arms felt like lead. A good feeling. She moved among the grimacing targets, noting the strikes that would have severed limbs, the ones that would have beheaded...

When she came to the long-haired one with the pot belly, she gave a feral grin.

She's landed the blade in perfect position to slice Dave's manic smile right off his face.

Author Bio: From zombie exterminators to dragon detectives to nuns in space, Karina Fabian's universes make readers laugh, cry and think. Winner of the 2007 EPPIE Award for best sci-fi and the 2010 INDIE Award for best fantasy, she lets her characters take her where they will and is never disappointed. Karina Fabian is married to Colonel Robert Fabian. They and their four kids call home wherever the Air Force sends them. Learn more at www.fabianspace.com

Tour Schedule

17-Oct	www.fabianspace.com	info
17-Oct	http://jaletaclegg.blogspot.com	Interview for Frightliner & Neeta Lyffe
18-Oct	http://rryalsrussell.com/blog/	guest post
18-Oct	http://rosalieskinner.blogspot.com/	Why I wrote a Zombie Book when I Don’t Like Zombies
19-Oct	http://naomi-jay.livejournal.com/	guest post
20-Oct	http://museituppublishing.blogspot.com/	how to put on zombie make-up
21-Oct	www.snoringscholar.com	review
24-Oct	www.fabianspace.com	roscoe's workout
26-Oct	http://sallyfranklinchristie.com/wp/	interview
26-Oct	http://blog.sabolich.info	guest post
29-Oct	http://timothycward.com/	podcast
30-Oct	http://shovedtothem.blogspot.com	review, guest post
31-Oct	www.fabianspace.com	reviews

Reviewer comments:

"At long last, a zombie book with some life in it!" humorist Walt Staples

From zombie exterminators to dragon detectives to nuns in space, Karina Fabian likes to create stories that make readers laugh, cry and think.

She enjoys her more mundane adventures as wife to Col.

Rob Fabian, USAF and mother of four.

Title: Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator
Author: Karina Fabian
Category: horror, humor, science fiction
ISBN-13: 978-1-61572-273-0 (print) 978-1-61572-272-3 (e-book)
Format: Trade paperback, e-book
Publication Date: December 1, 2010
Pages: 246
Price: $19.00 US/Canada, $14.38 EUR, $12.18 GBP (print) $5.95 (e-book)
Available from: Damnation Books, www.damnationbooks.com
More Info: www.fabianspace.com

Order the Zombie Cookbook directly from Baker & Taylor, Ingram, or the publisher, Damnation Books, P.O. Box 3931, Santa Rosa, CA 95402-9998; or via the Internet at http://www.damnationbooks.com. Also on www.amazon.com and www.fictionwise.com.

Frightliners... if you dare.

2011-10-14T08:25:00.000+11:00

FRIGHTLINER & Other Tales of the Undead
By Colleen Drippe and Karina Fabian

Horror on the Highway

When Jay Carlson has a run in with a strange, dark truck on a lonely road, his life goes south.
He sees things that others don't see. He learns things he wishes he could forget, and he is drawn into an ancient battle he wouldn't have believed in even a day in the past.
This time, even country music and the open road can't save him. Join authors Colleen Drippe' and Karina Fabian as they take you to the darkest places on the road.
Also includes two extra stories and an excerpt from the novel Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator by Karina Fabian,
available from DAMNATION BOOKS.

Frightliner: And Other Tales of the Undead

By Colleen Drippe and Karina Fabian

Tag line: Evil sits behind the wheel.

Short Synopsis : A truck-driving vampire terrorizes Interstate 10 in New Mexico and Texas. When he targets trucker Jay Carlson, Jay finds himself unwillingly teaming up with an illegal alien and a tough-talking custodian--both of whom claim to be vampire hunters. However, they are injured in the fight, and Jay will have to conquer his disbelief and destroy the vampire himself before it kills them all.

Marketing Synopsis: All Jay Carlson wants is to get his load delivered on-time, and the mysterious murder on a lone stretch of I-10 is just a slow-down. Things get freaky as a stranger suggests the murderer is a truck driver—and Jay has seen the truck. Thus starts a game of cat and mouse as the mysterious truck stalks him on his route. No one else seems to see his phantom pursuer except for two unlikely allies: a custodian claiming to be a vampire hunter, and an illegal alien who trusts his faith to defeat the monster. When the truck-driving vampire traps them in an abandoned church and his only defenders are injured in the fight, Jay must swallow his own disbelief and destroy the vampire himself before he kills them all.

Bios:

* Karina Fabian: Karina Fabian writes fantasy and science fiction, with the occasional foray into the world of horror. Her first novel, Magic, Mensa and Mayhem, the 2010 INDIE Award for best fantasy. Her latest book, the comedic horror, Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator, was a top ten in the Preditor and Editor reader’s polls and winner of the Global E-Book Award for best horror. Learn more about her works at http://fabianspace.com.

* Colleen Drippe: Colleen Drippe has been writing since age 6 and has had a lot of science fiction, a moderate amount of horror and fantasy, and assorted nonfiction scattered throughout the small press and online. She also writes for children and has had three children's books published so far (The Little Blue House, Christmas at the Little Blue House, and Mystery at Miners’ Creek) and another one (Growing with the Little Blue House) due out any day. She has had one sf book published (Godcountry) and another (Gelen!) coming out this year. She is the former editor of Hereditas (of happy memory but dried up funding) and is currently working on another sf book along with various other projects.

Excerpt:

Of course that was why he had not come out to check on her, she thought with a surge of relief. He probably thought it was an abandoned car. But now--she stepped out onto the gravel, hearing for the first time how loud the crickets sang. She smelled the strong scent of the cooling air. Too early for snow. Too warm, still anyway, though she cursed herself for not thinking to put on jeans before making her big exit. She peered at the cab, but nothing moved.

“Hello!” she called, moving closer. She could not make out a logo on the truck. It was dark, dark paint. She had an impression that the shape was--not wrong exactly, but not usual. It was an older model, she decided. An old truck.

She had reached the door.

“Anyone there?” she called, hesitating to step up and look inside. What if something had happened to the driver? What if he were dead? What if she opened the door and a body spilled out onto the road?

But that was silly. He had just pulled up. Probably he was rummaging around in his berth for some tools.

But what if he was dead? What if she took hold of the door and--and what if he was right there, watching her?

She had almost decided to go back to her own car. But the thought of the semi parked behind her, silently cutting its chunk from the sky, was in some strange way even more frightening than opening the door. She reached up for the handle and pulled herself up level with the window.

The handle turned in her hand.

It was then she knew she had done the wrong thing. If only someone else had come--she prayed for someone else. A cop. Even a car full of good old boys. Anyone.

The crickets fairly screamed their shrill and mindless song, the scent of the Russian knapweed was overpowering. But it wasn’t strong enough to hide another smell, a dark earthy smell. A smell of death mellowed by long usage.

The door opened.

Reba froze, clutching the handle, balancing there with the driver’s seat in front of her. She tried to speak, to call, but nothing would come out. She hung there, thinking of death, while the night passed and the stars moved and the moon looked in over her shoulder. Finally, she climbed into the truck.

“Daniel,” she whimpered. She was ready to forgive the new pickup, but it was too late. Something moved in the back and she turned in the driver’s seat and saw a pale face, caught in the moonlight, eyes gleaming. She had an impression of lank hair, grizzled beard. And then two hands reached up to take her shoulders and she saw the mouth open.

Video trailer link: http://youtu.be/pEi6y0IuOlI

Video trailer code:

Amazon link: http://amzn.to/lJDL9b

Website: http://fabianspace.com

Tour Schedule:

01-Oct	http://inkspotter.com	about collaboration
01-Oct	http://susannedrazic.blogspot.com/	info
03-Oct	www.fabianspace.com	info
05-Oct	http://sallyfranklinchristie.com/wp/	Colleen Drippe' interview
10-Oct	www.fabianspace.com	inspiration and song
11-Oct	http://chergreen.blogspot.com/	back to basics
14-Oct	http://rosalieskinner.blogspot.com/	information
15-Oct	www.fabianspace.com	reviews
16-Oct	www.snoringscholar.com	review
17-Oct	http://jaletaclegg.blogspot.com	Interview for FRIGHTLINER & Neeta Lyffe
29-Oct	http://timothycward.com/	podcast

Review by Walt Staples:

There are touches reminiscent of some of Stephen King's better efforts without actual aping his style.

The protagonist is everyman, the people he meets are everyone, his allies are mortal, and the Evil is ancient.

"The Lobby," by Colleen Drippe', is an understated and elegant little tale of a night at the movies.

The unnamed protagonist comes across as having a touch of prissiness like that of H.P. Lovecraft the person, rather than the writer. Yet, in Drippe's hands, it becomes endearing…

In Fabian's "Accidental Undeath," the question comes down to whether eternal life (with the possibility of eternal damnation) is a proper substitute for accident scene emergency medical treatment.

This is horror in three courses--well done.

Title: FRIGHTLINER & Other Tales of the Undead
Author: Colleen Drippe and Karina Fabian
Category: Horror
ASIN: B00506U7WA
Format: Electronic
Publication Date: May 9, 2011
Price: $2.99 US
Available from: Crossroads Press, http://store.crossroadpress.com/
Available in Kindle and other electronic formats
For More Info: http://fabianspace.com

First Review for Exiled: Winter's Curse from Edith Parzefall

2011-10-14T08:00:00.000+11:00

Check out Edith's blog here.. Edith Parzefall

Review: Rosalie Skinner – Exiled: Winter’s Curse

The second book in Caleath’s Chronicles is out now. I devoured it in no time. The story continues where Autumn’s Peril left off. Rosalie Skinner skillfully weaves in back story to fill in new readers and remind ‘old’ ones of what happened before while the new adventure unfolds–without a moment of boredom.

Her witty sense of irony brightens the dark cold atmosphere of this wintery challenge. While Caleath gets side-tracked and burdened with followers who depend on him, the danger of giant ants destroying the world he’s been stranded in keeps growing. New characters add conflict, tension, humor and charm. I’m still fascinated with the combination of of science fiction and an archaic world of mages, dragons, and semi-divine Vergöttern.

Find out more about Caleath’s Cronicles at Rosalie Skinner’s website or Wendy Laharnar’s Blog. She once again hosted the release party.

Thank you Edith!!!

Check out Edi's Book Lighthouse post for this week...

2011-10-11T18:55:00.001+11:00

Edit's Book Lighthouse weekend wave 1141.

Another great post from one of our favourite review sites.

Killarney Sheffield joins us today....

2011-10-08T08:40:00.053+11:00

Welcome to my blog. Thanks for being here today.

Other than ‘author’ what are three words you would use to describe yourself? Horselover, Mom & tough. I used to be a horse trainer/farrier/riding coach before writing, I am a mom to 5 absolutely crazy kids and I have been through a lot in my life which made me tough enough to battle cancer this year.

Your battle with cancer has been incredible Killarney and we are all celebrating your good news, that you are now cancer free. Horselover, Mom and Tough.. three great words.

Do they influence you as a writer? Or the genre you write?

Definitely! In my first historical romance release 'Guilty Kisses' I wrote a scene in the novel surrounding a very...um...embarrassing incident that occurred when I was breast feeding my first child. You have to read the book (: In my second release I use some of my horse expertise to flesh out the equines in my story. I try to put an animal 'sidekick' of sorts in all my romances since living on a farm is all about all kinds of critters. As for the cancer thing...well it remains to be seen if I can use it to weave a romance.

Love the animal sidekicks. What is it about your chosen genre/s that fires up your muse?

I am a Libra, and for my birthday one year I was given a mug that kinda sums out Libras and me in general. It read: A hopeless romantic who thinks that life should be fair, what a fool. Yup, that's me in a nutshell.

You are about to release your third book with Museitup, what inspired your stories?

My novels are all inspired by different things. I currently have 2 published my MuseitUp as well as 5 more contracted and 2 short stories. For example I am currently working on a MS that revolves around an 1800's female magician and her sidekick a Holland lop rabbit who gets her into all kinds of trouble. The story was inspired by my 9 yr old son's black Holland Lop rabbit named Dexter who is quite the Houdini at escaping from his cage.

Do you have a regime when writing? A special place, time, mood or do you snatch opportunities to pen ideas or write a few lines?

I keep a pad of paper and a pen on my headboard as my mind likes to gallop away with me when I am trying to quiet it for sleep. LOL, I have gotten good at writing well enough in the dark to be able to read what I wrote in the am. (I don't want to wake up hubby by getting out of bed or turning on the light).

Does your Muse follow rules and plot lines or does she offer ideas on a whim?

She's nuts, quite frankly. She just goes when and where she wants to. Often a whole story is crafted around one scene that comes to mind. I wrote my October 2011 release (written under Kelli Key) because this character Shianne from 1974 highjacked my head and would not shut up until I wrote down her story in first person in 6 hours. That was pretty weird!

Six hours… that’s incredible. Your Muse is sure pushy! Good thing too, for your readers, hey!

What are the most dramatic changes you have made to a story you have written? What prompted the change?

Has there been one event in your life that changed/inspired your writing career? For example, meeting an author, finding a publisher, joining a critique group?

A few years ago I was writing my first novel in a binder in pen when I met Harlequin's Love Inspired author Carolyne Arrsen. It turns out she lived just half a mile down the road from us at the time. I was thrilled! I spent many Wednesday nights at her kitchen table that winter learning the basics like show not tell and povs. I can't thank her enough for that.

What an experience Killarney. That sounds like a wonderful place to learn your craft.

Would you like to tell us about the main character of your book and/or the villain? Or would you like to share an excerpt? Either or both… we are keen to learn more about the story.

My second release 'Stand & Deliver Your Heart' comes out September 16^th 2011 from MuseItUp Publishing. The heroine in this story is a little more fiery than my first release 'Guilty Kisses' perhaps due to her red hair. 'Stand & Deliver Your Heart' is the tale of Lady Sarah Wellington an heiress fallen on tough times with a promise to keep. When nature's whim thrusts upon her a suicidal lord she must trust him to keep a dangerous secret, one that could get her hung at the gallows. Well, what can I say, because I am a Libra she falls in love with him and then has a difficult and deadly choice to make. Sorry, if you want to know more you have to read the book. (:

Love the cover. Stand and Deliver is top of my ‘to read list’.

Who is publishing your story?

MuseItUp Publishing has contracted 7 novels and 2 short soft erotica from me coming out from June 2011 to Dec 2013.

Guilty Kisses- June 2011

Stand & Deliver Your Heart- Sept 16/2011

Chained- October 2011 (soft erotic short set in 1974)

The Horseguard's Lady- December 2011

A Courtesan's Desires- March 2012

Larger than Life- May 2012 (part of the Lacey's Lamp MuseItHot series)

Inventing Love- June 2012 (steampunk/historical romance)

Love's Deception- November 2012

Marie- 2013 tba

Where can we get the already released books?

My books are available in ebook and some already in paperback at www.museituppublishing.com also a complete vendor list is available on the Muse site.

How can we follow your career? Http://killarneysheffield.blogspot.com & http://romanceauthorkillarneysheffield.yolasite.com

You have a wonderful booktrailer, and fortunate to have 'met' and been given permission to use Gowan's music as backing. Another amazing feather in your cap, Killarney. Thanks for sharing this here!!

Thanks for being my guest today Killarney. Congratulations on the release of Chained and of course Guilty Kisses and Stand and Deliver Your Heart.

Introducing Killarney Sheffield

Releases- Guilty Kisses/June 2011 www.youtube.com/watch?v=J41qLNKjrQA

Stand & Deliver Your Heart/Sept 2011

The Horseguard's Lady/Dec 2011

A Courtesan's Desires/Mar 2012

Inventing Love/June 2012

Love's Deception/ Nov 2012

Marie/ tba 2012

Alter ego- Kelli Key

Chained/Oct 2011- museithot

Larger Than Life/ May 2012- museithot

http://romanceauthorkillarneysheffield.yolasite.com

http://killarneysheffield.blogspot.com

http://www.museituppublishing.com

But wait.. there is more.
Killarney has agreed to give away a copy of
Guilty Kisses
AND
Stand and Deliver Your Heart
to two lucky readers
who comment here before the 12th OCT!!

Balls of a Hairy Goat...The Competition is on again for OCT...

2011-09-27T01:05:00.004+10:00

Help Celebrate the launch of the Science Fiction Fantasy series
THE CHRONICLES of CALEATH...

take a chance to win a prize...

Join us at our Blog
Party on
7th October
At Wendy L's blog
to break the code and claim prizes...

Rules: Play my Chronicles of Caleath Word Search and then see what the free letters spell out. Some have SORRY, but most have a surprise doorprize. To check out the list of prizes please visit my website. ROSALIESKINNER.COM

I suggest you print out the puzzle, highlight, or use the line tool in Word to mark the words you find as you play the game. Words could be in any direction and some letters can be used twice. The first few letters remaining, starting at top left will be your code word. The spaces below the words indicate how many letters your code word has.

To enter: Email CaleathsQuest@gmail.com with the subject “competition”. Please include your name and country. Caleath’s competition manager will reply on 7th October with a numbered word search dedicated just for you. One entry per person.

Deadline: To receive your gift send your code word back to Caleathsquest@gmail.com between October 7th and no later than OCTOBER 20th:

Sorry, but if the deadline comes and go you’ll have to wait for the next contest when Book Three: Exiled: The Legacy of Lathraine's Pledge releases.

Now have fun and good luck!

Balls of a Hairy Goat...The Competition is on again for OCT...

2011-09-19T10:50:00.011+10:00

PRIZE LIST....

We are celebrating the release in October of Exiled: Winter's Curse

Enter the competition to win. Last month every entrant won a prize...so don't miss out!

$5, $10 and $15 PayPal vouchers

This month we have T shirt, cap, tote bags, notebooks, signed series of cover postcard sets, cover posters A4 laminated, magnets sets and more prizes still being added.
The choice of Ebook prizes is amazing.. Thanks to the Museitup Family of authors for donating their wonderul stories... Titles include:

Scroll down to read BLURBS for EBOOK PRIZES...

TOTE bag

T shirt, (Men's Size XL)

Mousepad

BLURBS

In the 1820s a convicted man is not considered a suitable husband for the daughter of a wealthy property owner.

REMY

A convicted man is not considered suitable husband material for the daughter of a wealthy property owner, even in the prospering colony of New South Wales in the early nineteenth century where class and caste mingle. Remy meets and falls in love with Sara, but their love is threatened even before it’s had time to flourish. Sara’s father considers convicts the scum of the earth, regardless of their crime.

After an unfortunate episode, Remy must flee from all he cherishes and Sara is forced into a loveless marriage by her hateful father. She despairs of ever seeing her love again, while Remy faces overwhelming odds and an ordeal that threatens to strip him of everything; his pride, his strength, his health—even his life. Remy is flogged and suffers sickness, injury and humiliation when he is sent north to Moreton Bay, a penal settlement where pain and suffering are everyday occurrences.

Will the lovers ever find the happiness they crave?

Just because a man cheats on his wife and makes Danny DeVito look tall, dark and handsome, is that any reason to kill him? The reluctant and quirky PI, Lee Alvarez doesn't think so. But the 34-year old ½ Latina, ½ WASP and 100% detective has her work cut out for her when the man is murdered on her watch. Of all the nerve. Set in the present, Murder is a Family Business is the first in a series of humorous mysteries revolving around Lee Alvarez, a combination of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone and Janet Evanovitch’ Stephanie Plum, and rest of the Alvarez Family, detectives all. Seemingly light and frothy on the surface, the novel nevertheless explores familial love, the good, the bad and the annoying. Completing the family is Lee’s Never-Had-A-Bad-Hair-Day aristocratic mother, Lila; computer genius brother, Richard; beloved uncle “Tio;” and her energetic orange and white cat, Tugger. When this group is not solving murders, they run Discretionary Inquiries, a successful Silicon Valley agency that normally deals with the theft of computer software. The love, humor and camaraderie shared within this family are what set this series apart from others.

Mistress Sarah was once a woman of promise, until a greedy relative left her to fend for herself on the cold, hard streets of London. Now, she does the only thing she can to survive and care for those she has sworn to protect. Lord Byron Cobbett has given up on life after the death of his beloved fiancée. On a trip to London to clear his family’s name he is involved in a carriage accident. Sarah gets more than she bargains for when she unwittingly rescues Byron. She must find a way to convince him to keep her secret. Can she allow herself to love him and still keep her promise? Will Byron stand and deliver his heart to the auburn-haired bandit and risk his own freedom?

Magic lives in the Americas, too… Land of the Midnight Sun. The Aurora Borealis. Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Dog sleds. Mount Denali. 60 degrees below zero. Moose. Grizzly bears. Salmon. Gold nuggets. Blueberries. Bunny boots and duct tape. To most people, the word “Alaska” evokes visions of a wild, mysterious land, but for Fallon O’Reilly, it means home. Growing up in a village hidden deep in the wilderness, she eagerly anticipates her first sojourn at the Borealis Academy of Magical Arts. Nothing dampens her enthusiasm; not the creepy bookseller, her sisters’ nagging or the world’s nastiest classmate. However, when village inhabitants disappear, someone murders a student’s pet and she suffers a near-fatal attack by a horrible, hairy creature, Fallon’s curiosity draws her into a dark mystery. Can a twelve-year-old witch, together with her wheelchair-bound cousin and new found friend from Wyoming, uncover the identity of the evil behind the chilling events? From the wind-swept tundra to the frozen peaks of Mount Denali, Fallon’s struggle to protect the school and her fellow students encompasses a journey of far more breadth than she expected.

Jay Farrell, a crippled priest, has begun housing homeless boys in his rectory. Once a street kid himself, he was riding the rocket-train to a lifetime in prison until the day he drove over a land mine in Iraq. Today he works at an inner-city parish, running a soup kitchen and struggling to manage an impoverished church. With temperatures below zero and falling a few nights before Christmas, Jay's estranged brother Kevin dumps three more children on his front porch. Kevin, a cop who can't believe in God after all the evil he's seen, hasn't spoken to Jay in years, but he knows Jay will at least give the kids a place to stay. It isn't over yet, though. As they work together to meet the children's needs, they must confront the long-buried emotions that have divided them so long. The Boys Upstairs examines the real gift of the holiday season and how hope can transform the ones society condemns as not worth saving.

“What’s one more little white lie?” There's only one thing that pretty, popular TV reporter Nadia Velasquez is missing: her memory from before the explosion that killed everyone else in the room, including the President of Nigeria. But from the moment she meets FBI agent Jon Daniels, all hell breaks loose. Friends turn into deadly enemies overnight, and no one can be truly trusted. When Jon and Nadia investigate further, they discover the living terror that is the truth behind Nadia's existence, a truth that could mean the death of millions.

In the second installment of The NADIA Project, the potential stakes are raised even higher. The lab where Nadia was built is no more. But when The Pinnacle strikes back at the government agencies trying to crack its secrets, a horrible truth emerges: The evil cabal of kingmakers is still building living weapons of mass destruction somewhere on the globe. Jon Daniels and Nadia Velasquez must find the lab and stop it before a new wave of terror erupts across the world. In order to succeed, though, they must get through The Pinnacle's most deadly weapon: Jenna Paine. All who stand between evil and the innocent are two ancient warriors, a misfit genius, a rogue FBI agent, and a living antimatter bomb named NADIA.

Cats and a villainous ex-wife? What more could the delivery man bring to the new love in his life? Ann works as a waitress in a donut shop. She’s happy with her single life and her cat, Mittens, but she finds herself interested in Tom, the handsome delivery man. Tom is also attracted to Ann, but unfortunately, Tom comes with some baggage including five cats, Maria, his vicious ex-wife, and Maria’s adorable daughter he calls Kitten. When Maria, a newly hired waitress in the donut shop, learns Ann and Tom are beginning a relationship, she does everything she can to tear them apart. Ann starts to have doubts about her budding romance, but Tom is determined to make it work, despite Maria’s interference. Will Ann and Tom’s love prevail, or will the evil ex-wife win in the end? Love Delivery delivers a sweet romance which will bring tears to your eyes but a smile to your lips.

Left at the alter, Tina decides to take her Vegas honeymoon. Her orderly life plans of marriage, motherhood, and togetherness in shambles, she throws caution to the wind and checks out the dating service, Distinguished Dates. A midnight dinner with a bald, red-bearded, cartoon dog-sneakered stranger brings more than her dreams alive.

Jillian is planning her first big Halloween party and hopes the weather holds out Well, the weather does...but after Jillian, in her witch's outfit playfully chants the following from a prop witch's spell book: “Changes are due… Not many but a few To meet your history And see it’s not misery Ghosts will abound Trekking all around For you will now travel In a land full of marvel” everyone is in for the surprise of their life. Her backyard is gone. In its place greenery filled with tall trees, a variety of bushes, and...DINOSAURS?

Someone had tainted the sugar at the newly opened Café Caffé coffeehouse in the village of Eastport. A dozen locals got seriously ill and one died. Nora Huggins- mother, wife, mystery buff and want-to-be sleuth-couldn’t help but to get involved. Her delving into the crime led her to believe that it had been a nasty youthful prank. Two of the village’s old spinster sisters, Winnie and Ginnie Miller, were among those who fell victim to the tainted sugar. However, when Winnie suddenly died, surviving Ginnie chose not to hold the coffeehouse responsible. Because of the Miller sister’s reputation for being uncharitable, Nora became suspicious and probed deeper into their affairs ultimately discovering that Winnie may have in fact been murdered. Proving it became a delicate matter for Nora and the local police chief.

Kate Wesley left Twinsburg, Ohio five years ago after her fiancé jilted her. Now she’s back, happy and content with her single life. She doesn’t need men to fulfill her dreams, she has her florist shop. At least she didn’t until Mark Westfield showed up looking for his sister. Kate didn’t much care for the attraction she felt toward him. To make matters worse, her ex showed up, now one of Twinsburg’s finest and her heart about dropped to her feet. What was wrong with her all of a sudden attracted to two men? Widower, Mark Westfield wasn’t interested in women. He had twin five year olds to raise and they took all his time and energy. But Kate sparked something in him he hadn’t expected to feel again. Adam Shaffer left Kate two days before the wedding. Left a note and took off to LasVegas. Biggest mistake of his life. But now they were both back and he aimed to get Kate back. They’d both been too young before, too immature. At least he had been. Kate always had her head on straight. But he had a dream, and he needed to see it through before he settled down. Now part of that dream came true, if he could just make Kate see he had changed.

The chill of ivory. The cold beat of light. Aaron Carlson delivers the rare, the impossible, to the highest bidder. This promise is challenged, however, when he is asked to find a legend; an artefact that even time wants to forget. For the right price, he agrees to assist the sultry Miss Worthing in her quest for eternity’s gift. He will deliver where those before him have failed. The heart is what she craves. The ivory legend from 18^th Century France; now no more than a cold whisper. Aaron follows the trail of Trenton, his predecessor, and the heart’s latest victim. A man left empty, broken, by the heart’s perennial chill. Aaron’s journey takes him through light, darkness and fire, opening old wounds and exposing him to new ones. And all the while the heart watches. All the while the heart awaits.

Robyn can’t help but notice the handsome new guy at her school. She ignores, however, the arrival of another being at Brookfield Central High School—a demon assigned to destroy her… Robyn loves her friends, enjoys her youth group, and looks forward to meeting cute Caleb Montague. But when a caustic news reporter challenges her school’s prayer team, Robyn must choose: defend their right to meet on campus and pray for whomever they wish or back down at the principal’s request. Now she must learn what God wants her to do. And she had better learn fast, because there’s a supernatural enemy in town whose sole mission is to stop her—no matter the cost.

Ten-year old Andy Thompson disobeys his mother and sneaks into the basement of an old abandoned house that’s due for demolition. He stumbles upon a mysterious box under an old cabinet. And his troubles begin when he looks inside. The Crew brothers, twelve-year old Jason, and ten-year old Danny, also find their way to the basement. New to town, Jason has established himself as the school bully. A struggle ensues between Andy and Jason and the bully ends up as a toad. Somehow, the boys must reverse the magical spell. And that means hiking up the dread mountain: fast pace, fast action and just a few scares and surprises on the way! The lives of all three boys seem destined to change forever, if they survive…

Imagine the worst possible time, the interregnum while rebelling magic forces slowly kill the reigning Drogar. Prince Egon has to take up the succession as the new sorcerer-king of Rast, and admit the deadly magic into himself in a manner he can control. Yet Offrangs arrive on the coast, imperialists whose power comes from steam and iron, and who disbelieve in magic. Commander Antar seeks to conquer Rast. Egon has no time for caution, he must act at once. He also has to help Jady, Guardian of the Silent Forest, escape from the evil Deepning Pools whose resurgence she has thwarted. Even more troubling, he must send his sweetheart away, for she is not from the magic lineage who can bear him an heir. She goes to meet the Princess destined to supplant her, with anger in her heart. The oracle given by the Pythian, living beneath the Palace of Rast, predicts the crisis can only be resolved by everyone’s efforts – even the actions of enemies – until the Prince is established securely and able to turn the magic’s fury upon itself. Conflict between materialists and a magic based society; between love and ambition; between magic forces residing within the world itself and the one man destined to control them. Rast leads fantasy into new dimensions.

Ally is a photographer and good at her job. She is in Paris when she hears that her sister has had an accident, and when she returns home Ally goes to her sister’s apartment. She mourns her death, but gradually she begins to realize that the car accident might not have been just an accident but something far more sinister. How long before she begins to understand that the beautiful Egyptian necklace sent to her sister may be the key to a larger mystery, and why does she feel as if her mind is being taken over by a dark ancient queen? Is what she is feeling for Jack Brendan, the new man in her life, real--or merely fantasy?

18-year-old Myrna is drawn into the middle of an epic battle between Seraphym and Demons. An average High School student from Florida, struggling with inner demons resulting from a rape two years earlier, she wakes one morning on the Steampunk planet of Dracwald, home of the demon-dragons responsible for her brother’s recent murder as well as many other atrocities in the news. She meets Michael, who becomes her guide and explains that according to prophecy, Myrna must gather the remaining six Vigorios (teen warriors with special talents) then train with the Majikals on an enchanted island. Reluctantly, and knowing it is her only way to get back home, she agrees to lead, battling dragons and monsters while crossing swamps and mountains, forests and seas. She wrangles with the old inner demons when three very different men join her quest—a seasoned demon/dragon-slayer who irritates but beguiles her, a tender and sweet mentor in whom she trusts completely and a roguishly handsome Scientist who sets her senses aflame. How is she expected to lead the others and keep everyone safe with so much inner turmoil? Will love and lust, jealousy, greed, deceit and distrust break the delicate tie that binds these teen warriors called The Vigorios? Can a troupe of teens help the Seraphym finally defeat the massive empire of evil dominated for eons by the demon-dragons of Dracwald?

Rescued from the streets of Seattle by her adoptive mother, a witch and a seer, Dana Pierce learned early on about her talent as a witch. Now a successful news columnist, she not only embraces her craft, but has spent the last five years of her life in search of a man she believes she’s destined to help, a man cursed to immortality by an unfortunate ancestor. Calen Meer has carved out a quiet life in the port town of Astoria, Oregon, and though immortality has made him a wealthy man, he lives simply, running a charter fishing business, where only a very few know he is a werewolf. That is until the infinitely curious, albeit irresistible, Dana Pierce enters his life. As Ms. Pierce blithely goes about unearthing a past best left forgotten, Calen is torn between his anger at her intrusion into his life and the profound effect she has on him. But when several women are found brutally murdered, Calen must face the fact that a creature, not unlike himself, is not only escalating in its rabid need, but Dana may be his next victim. As their volatile attraction to each other heats up, a devastating secret from the past threatens to destroy them both unless Calen can set his prejudices aside, and let Dana offer the help she’s been born for.

Have you ever wondered how you would handle it if your mom was terminally ill? What if you were sent to stay with people you didn't even know in another country because your father was at the hospital all day and night?
Laurel is faced with both of these realities, what she really wants is a miracle. She wants her mom to be cured of cancer.
Join Laurel as she searches for her miracle amidst the magic of the Cornish countryside. She is aided by her new friends Coll, Gort, and Aisling and helped along in her quest by the creatures of legend and myth. Vear Du, the Selkie, Gwin Scawen, the Cornish Piskie, Belerion the fire salamander, Morgawr the flying sea serpent who does Vear Du a favour, and Cormoran, the last giant of Cornwall. They must battle the odds in the form of bullies and confusing clues. Will they emerge victorious? Will Laurel have the courage to solve the riddle and make her miracle a reality?
Find the answers in the pages of Laurel's Miracle.

Nancy Bell is using LAUREL'S MIRACLE to create awareness of a wonderful charity to help homeless horses. Even if you don't win this book, take a moment to visit http://www.karencote.tv/writers-pen-for-charity-lounge and make a comment. Every comment earns a dollar toward the charity. THANKS.

When teenager, Stefan Gessler, answers the call to restore his family's honour, he discovers it takes more than superior education and pride to equip him for life in the Middle Ages. His dangerous adventures threaten his courage and challenge his beliefs.
Immersed in the turbulent events of the Wilhelm Tell legend, Stefan pretends to be a wizard when an avaricious sibyl mistakes him for an alchemist. The shape-shifting sibyl and an evil knight have diabolical reasons to want the wizard dead.
Faced with his own demons and those of medieval Switzerland, how will Stefan complete his mission and escape the fourteenth century...alive?
Life in the Middle Ages is a dangerous game, even for Üserwäälti, the Chosen One.

Exiled and driven by guilt and vengeance, Caleath, adept in virtual reality games, finds himself on a world where magic rules. Assassins hunt him, ghosts haunt his nights, a sorcerer covets his knowledge and a beautiful hostage complicates his escape. Washed ashore from the wreck of the Albatross, tortured in mind and body, Caleath uses his dreaded nanobots in order to survive and reluctantly befriends the young Gwilt Their search for the survey satellite, which could lead Caleath home, unveils the terrifying world of 'a dark soul, black magic and a bloody sword'. On this perilous journey, an assassin destroys Caleath's healing nanobots, and exiles from his home planet follow his every move. He takes the beautiful Nasith, of the Ferran clan, hostage to keep the assassins at bay, but her presence endangers him more. A sorcerer forces Caleath to aid the Council of Mages when he discovers Caleath carries vital knowledge that could save the Sharyac people from the invading Tarack, a species of giant ants.

Hampered by bandits; burdened with the title of Deathbringer; and rumors of dragons all drive Caleath further from his goals and closer to his destiny. *******

Alone, Caleath rides south to kill the Tarack queen in her dormant colony, and thus, ensure the safety of the people. His ‘kill or be killed’ mission is not altruistic. Although he justifies his motive, saving the people, gaining his own freedom and acceptance, deep within his soul he battles a yearning for Tarack stim crystal. However, a small child's plea for help dissolves Caleath's simple plan.

His new quest takes him on a desperate path traversed by bandits, dragons, bloody battles, danger, and death. No longer is Caleath alone.

Meanwhile Nasith travels south with Lachlan, Gwilt, and a band of soldiers prepared for the battle with the Tarack. As they travel, Gwilt voices his concern about the malevolence surrounding a newcomer to the group. Convinced his doubts have fallen on deaf ears, he remains alert and wary. His attitude leads to a confrontation from which neither he nor Nasith emerge unscathed.

Winter allows the people of Allorn time to prepare, while other nefarious schemes rise to destroy them.

Review of Autumn's Peril... from Edith Parzefall...

2011-09-19T08:47:00.001+10:00

Exiled: Autumn's Peril is the first book in Rosalie Skinners's Chronicles of Caleath. So before you start reading this one, be aware that it's highly addictive and you'll crave the next book in the series. The good news is: the next seven books are supposed to be released in monthly intervals by MuseItUp Publishing.

Autumn's Peril weaves an intriguing tale where sci-fi meets fantasy. A planet still in its middle ages becomes the setting for a vicious real life game transmitted to an entertainment-craving audience spread through the federation of advanced worlds. Former Game Master and champion Caleath fights for his life in an archaic world, while the vengeful organizer tightens the net around him, not to mention an ignorant local mage getting in his way.

Caleath is a nicely ambiguous character, not your foolhardy hero but a man fighting for survival while trying to preserve his humanity. The last thing he needs is an accidental hostage, but even she can't help rooting for him. As their fates become entwined, a troubled Tristan and Isolde romance unfolds.

Fast-paced and vividly written, the story takes unexpected twists that keep you turning the pages. Even though you find yourself on a roller coaster you can always trust never to be thrown off. Lean back and enjoy the ride.

Book one offers a satisfying end while it keeps you longing for more and teases with hints at what else lies in stock for our exiled reluctant hero.

Currently Exiled: Autumn's Peril is only available as e-book, but the print edition should be released within a year.

Exiled: Autumn's Peril Character Interview

2011-09-17T13:35:00.000+10:00

I wondered if an interview with Caleath, the hero of the forthcoming Fantasy ‘Exiled: Autumn’s Peril by Rosalie Skinner might be interesting.

The novel is set on the planet of where Caleath has been surviving in exile. This is a planet where nano-technology is considered magic, while magic is considered commonplace and doesn’t involve microchips or gene enhancement.

Unfortunately, Caleath is unavailable at this time. He is nothing if not reclusive. Perhaps later he will reconsider and talk to us. In the meantime, we have managed to make contact with Nasith, the female lead character from the novel.

Interviewer: Nasith, thank you for taking time to talk with us.

Nasith: Hello. Are you a disembodied spirit or another of Caleath’s alien artifacts? He’s no longer with us. South. He rode south. Alone.

Interviewer: Easiest answer would be ‘an artifact’. Nasith, you sound disappointed that Caleath left, yet he took you as a hostage. Would you tell us a little about your experience?

Nasith: I have time on my hands. For once, we are warm and reasonably safe. What would you like to know?

Interviewer: First impressions are always interesting. What did you make of being abducted on your way to Sharyac’s Tor?

Nasith: (sighs) Seems like a lifetime ago. So much has changed since then.

Interviewer: The same peril still threatens the south.

Nasith: I guess I mean the way I feel about Caleath. That night I tried to kill him. He’s not easy to kill but I wonder now if my heart was in it. One of the men I traveled with was trying to kill him. I was not.

Interviewer: You tried to kill him? That’s not surprising given the circumstances.

Nasith: Before he grabbed me and threw me across the shoulder of his horse I had no dealings with Caleath, but I knew of his plight. If asked at the time I would have said I felt pity for the man. The men who hunted him were driven by dark magic. I had no reason to want to see him hurt, until he used me as a human shield. He bruised my ego, rumpled my pride, nothing else. Now I realize I overreacted, but then it was a dark and desperate night. I felt justified in my actions. Later I came to regret them.

I am rambling. Being clean and able to relax, it’s such a pleasure. What was the question?

Interviewer: We are interested in your first impressions of Caleath. Wanting to hurt him seems natural, since he abducted you.

Nasith: The assassin hunting Caleath gave him little scope for niceties. He took a hostage, me, rather than having to kill the man. I didn’t know that at the time. Then I was afraid. He seemed so angry, frighteningly confident despite being hurt, and somehow vulnerable at the same time. He’s still confusing, but he doesn’t frighten me anymore.

Interviewer: When did your impression begin to change?

Nasith: It was only later, when I managed to get him to talk that I discovered more about him. He actually took good care of me. Despite the hurt I caused. When we faced danger he would protect me, leaving himself vulnerable rather than risk my safety. I was his hostage for only a short time. When he discovered who I was, I believe he saw my presence as a burden but he accepted responsibility even though he says he doesn’t belong on this world.

Interviewer: You knew from the start that he was from another world?

Nasith: The assassin spoke freely about his origins. Only Caleath seemed to find his past a painful topic. Revenge drove him, and the need to escape from this planet. The things he has done, to survive, to escape. I find myself wondering if I know him at all. He confuses me, even now. I miss him and long for his touch one moment and want him out of my life the next. How odd is that!

Interviewer: What does the future hold?

Nasith: Our immediate future is blighted by the looming threat from the south. Here in Sharyac’s Tor we hope to arrange an alliance to combat this unnatural menace. Or do you mean a future that involves Caleath?

Interviewer: I was thinking more along the lines of a relationship between you and Caleath.

Nasith: Some moments I dream of nothing else. As I said, in his arms I feel safe. Looking into his eyes, they are as changeable as the ocean, I am afraid of drowning. I have spent too many hours watching him wondering what makes him do the things he does. The way he moves, it’s almost poetry. A lethal sort of poetry, it’s like watching a predatory cat and it is as compelling. And yet, he has the ability to make me feel extraordinarily special and more sensual than I believed possible. He is considerate, strong, has a depth of compassion I have never seen before. His touch is electric. (sighs) Then I find myself despising him and the lengths he has gone to, the long-term threat of invasion he has created, and I tell myself I am glad he is a dead man walking.

Interviewer: Dead man walking? That’s an odd term for someone who is hard to kill?

Nasith: He took me hostage. My people will see that there is retribution. It does not matter that he took care of me, or that I chose to accompany him in the end. My abduction is unforgivable. He will pay with his life. I cannot let myself become involved. Do you think me heartless?

Interviewer: It is not for me to judge.

Nasith: There, now you sound like him. I think we have spoken long enough. Good night.

(transmission ends)

Balls of a Hairy Goat...The Competition is on again...

2011-09-16T09:05:00.000+10:00

Tomorrow we will be updating details for the new competition to celebrate the release of Exiled: Winter's Curse from Museitup Publishing.
Even more prizes... don't miss out... every entrant won a prize last month... Check back tomorrow.. for details.

Exerpt, unedited... from Underground: The Day of the Sun.

2011-09-13T15:06:00.002+10:00

Sweat chilled. A breeze eddied between the avenues of grass. Sinking onto his heels, Caleath tried to fathom the forces at work.

He bit his bottom lip, grasped the smooth wood and fought an urge to cast the ensorcelled stick into the Abyss.

Between heartbeats, darkness shrouded the open grassland. Red sky swirled to black. Crows of evil cawed encouragement, while his spirit transferred to another plain. Knowing he risked losing his way, he turned to meet his host.

“Greetings Deathbringer, welcome to my realm.” The voice of a sorceress sent the breeze scurrying.

“I have come for the boy.” At Caleath’s feet ground flowed, advancing and receding like water at the edge of an ocean. “Give him back.”

“He is content. Curiosity is a wonderful thing, don’t you think.”

Crows flocked to provide foliage to a naked tree. Branches spread to encompass the sun. Streaks of bloody light etched an image in the darkness. Depicted in warm tones, Simon leaned forward beside a fireplace, to hear every word spoken by an attentive and attractive woman. Around the figures dragons bated. Armies marched and heroes died as tableaux out of history replayed on demand.

“Your magic is flawed. The snare should not trap those who embrace magic, witch’s spawn.” From whispering wind and garrulous grass, Caleath sought answers. From the murmur of the moving morass at his feet and the chorus of crows around his head, he gathered information.

Caleath recognized the taint of Sorathii. The wraith entertaining Simon had been Madrigan’s sister. Her tragic life, spent ostracized and alone like Mortimer, twisted her spirit. She trapped Aruven travelers passing by her cottage, to keep her company and work her fields. They would not suffer while they remained without talent. Simon, talented but inexperienced had succumbed to the sorcerer’s trap.

“I must destroy your memory unless you release him, now.”

“Leave him, no one will miss him. He provides company. He yearns to hear my tales. My secret.”

“You no longer live. You cannot keep him here. His life has not yet begun, witch. Yours ended years ago. Give him up.”

“My name was Marianne. Abide a while Deathbringer, I know many souls are eager to meet you again.”

“I have no desire to waste time conversing with you.” As he spoke, the ground surged over his feet. Like a rising tide, each successive swell left him standing deeper in Marianne’s earth.

“Don’t play with me Marianne; I am in no mood to stay.”

Fluid ground closed in around ethereal calves. Trying to step free only speeded the tidal movement. His feet now stood firm, rooted in Marianne’s world.

“Simon.” Rather than allowing panic to blossom and grow, Caleath folded his arms and closed his eyes. “Simon!”

“He won’t hear you.”

“Won’t or can’t?” Caleath opened one eye. The crows lifted into the air and began circling. “I am not leaving without him and I am not staying, Marianne. Your time is up.”

A wave of earth crashed and broke around his waist. Caleath lifted his hands and placed his spread palms on the surface of the ground. No power flowed through the conjured dirt. His heart skipped a beat. Ethereal sweat beaded on his brow. Marianne laughed with the voice of her crows when he glanced around.

“No threats? Come, I enjoy a challenge, Deathbringer. Will you wager your soul for the boy’s freedom?”

“Not with you, wraith. Not without a little extra incentive.” Caleath dug his fingers into dirt and let the grains trickle through his fingers. Breathing became difficult but he could not yield to the witch’s whim. “The secret you have hoarded, give it to the boy and I will consider your challenge.”

“Never!” Her screech shattered darkness. Limbs buckled and broke from the single tree. Slivers of light pierced Marianne’s dark sky. Diamonds of denial mocked the beauty of a starry night. Crows rose and scattered when the earth beneath them began to boil. Tasting sulphur dioxide as he struggled to breathe, Caleath’s arms sank into the rising turbulence. Crushed feet burned. Scorched legs and abdomen resisted increasing heat and pressure. Being in spirit form offered no respite from inconvenience.

“Tell Simon he must learn why you hoard knowledge. You have waited for this moment. You cannot pass on this chance to justify your life. Madrigan has given Simon his support, Marianne.”

“You lie. Madrigan despaired of ever having a chance to retaliate. While the red sun gives strength we cannot prevail.”

“Help the boy. Release me and I promise to see your dream come to fruition.” Caleath clutched at the possibility of Marianne not knowing the significance of events taking place since her death. The specter seemed too eager to share her version of history with Simon.

“Can you?” The fireplace in the image flickered and light waned as if color leached from an ancient tapestry. “Is it time?”

“Do you want to risk a wager?”
*************
Underground: The Day of the Sun... coming in February 2012 from Museitup Publishing.

BEFORE you reach for your DIET drink...

2011-09-12T09:38:00.000+10:00

News from around the globe that the newspapers seldom print

A conspiracy

What idiot said crime does not pay?

This article tells how Monsanto and Donald Rumsfeld bought a banned substance back onto the market and at the same time forcefully stopped the natural replacement (Stevia) from being imported which resulted in a 10% increase in brain tumour and many other serious problems. The product in question is Aspartame the main ingredient in all artificial sweeteners.

If you are using artificial sweeteners you probably won't be after reading this

The Aspartame / NutraSweet Fiasco

By James S. Turner
Many health-conscious people believe that avoiding aspartame, found in over 5000 products under brand names such as Equal and NutraSweet, can improve their quality of life. The history of this synthetic sweetener’s approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including a long record of consumer complaints and the agency’s demonstrated insensitivity to public concern, suggests they’re right.
In October 1980 the Public Board of Inquiry (PBOI) impaneled by the FDA to evaluate aspartame safety found that the chemical caused an unacceptable level of brain tumors in animal testing. Based on this fact, the PBOI ruled that aspartame should not be added to the food supply.
This ruling capped 15 years of regulatory ineptitude, chicanery and deception by the FDA and the Searle drug company, aspartame’s discoverer and manufacturer (acquired by Monsanto in 1985), and kicked off another two decades of maneuvering, manipulating and dissembling by FDA, Searle and Monsanto.
In 1965, a Searle scientist licked some of a new ulcer drug from his fingers and discovered the sweet taste of aspartame. Eureka! Selling this chemical as a food additive to hundreds of millions of healthy people every day would mean many more dollars than limited sales to the much smaller group of ulcer sufferers.
Searle, a drug company with little experience in food regulation, began studies to comply with the law — but which failed to do so. Its early tests of the substance showed it produced microscopic holes and tumors in the brains of experimental mice, epileptic seizures in monkeys, and was converted by animals into dangerous substances, including formaldehyde.
In 1974, however, in spite of the information in its files, the FDA approved aspartame as a dry-foods additive. But the agency also made public for the first time the data supporting a food-additive decision. This data was subsequently reviewed by renowned brain researcher John Olney from Washington University in St. Louis, and other scientists.
Dr. Olney discovered two studies showing brain tumors in rats and petitioned FDA for a public hearing. Consumer Action for Improved Foods and Drugs (represented by the author of this piece) also petitioned for a public hearing based on the approval process having been based on sloppy science and the product’s having reportedly caused epileptic seizures in monkeys and possible eye damage.
Dr. Olney had already shown that aspartic acid (one aspartame component) caused microscopic holes in the brains of rats after each feeding. Aspartame also includes phenylalinine, which causes PKU in a small number of susceptible children, and methyl, or wood, alcohol which is neurotoxic in large amounts.
Faced with this array of possible health dangers, FDA granted the hearing requests. In lieu of withdrawing its aspartame approval, the agency prevailed on Searle to refrain from marketing the sweetener until after completion of the hearing process. it then proposed that a Public Board of Inquiry (PBOI) review the matter.
In July of 1975, as the FDA prepared for the PBOI, an FDA inspector conducted a routine review of the Searle’s Skokie Ill., testing facilities and found many deviations from proper procedures. This report led the FDA commissioner to empanel a Special Commissioner’s Task Force to review Searle’s labs.
In December of 1975 the Task force reported serious problem with Searle research on a wide range of products, including aspartame. It found 11 pivotal studies conducted in a manner so flawed as to raise doubts about aspartame safety and create the possibility of serious criminal liability for Searle.
The FDA then stayed aspartame’s approval. It also contracted, over serious internal objection, with a group of university pathologists (paid by Searle) to review most of the studies, set up a task force to review three studies and asked the U.S. Attorney for Chicago to seek a grand jury review of the monkey seizure study.
The pathologists paid by Searle only reviewed failure to properly report data and not the study’s design or conduct. They found no serious problems. The FDA task force found Searle’s key tumor safety study unreliable, but was ignored. The U.S. attorney let the statue of limitations run out, then (along with two aides) proceeded to join Searle’s law firm.
While these committees met, the FDA organized the PBOI. Searle, the petitioners and the FDA Bureau of Foods each nominated three members for the board and the FDA commissioner selected one member from each list. the board, which convened in January of 1980, rejected petitioners’ request to include the commissioner’s task force information in its deliberations. Still, in October 1980, based on its limited review, the board blocked aspartame marketing until the tumor studies could be explained. Unless the commissioner overruled the board, the matter was closed.
In November 1980, however, the country elected Ronald Reagan President. Donald Rumsfeld (former congressman from Skokie, former White House chief of staff, former secretary of defense and since January 1977 president of Searle) joined the Reagan transition team. A full court press against the board decision began.
In January 1981 Rumsfeld told a sales meeting, according to one attendee, that he would call in his chips and get aspartame approved by the end of the year. On January 25th, the day the new president took office, the previous FDA commissioner’s authority was suspended, and the next month, the commissioner’s job went to Dr. Arthur Hull Hayes.
Transition records do not show why the administration chose Hayes, a professor and Defense Department contract researcher. In July Hayes, defying FDA advisors, approved aspartame for dry foods — his first major decision. In November 1983 the FDA approved aspartame for soft drinks — Hayes’ last decision.
In November 1983 Hayes, under fire for accepting corporate gifts, left the agency and went to Searle’s public-relations firm as senior medical advisor. Later Searle lawyer Robert Shapiro named aspartame NutraSweet. Monsanto purchased Searle. Rumsfeld received a $12 million bonus. Shapiro is now Monsanto president.
Shortly after the FDA soft-drink approval, Searle began test marketing, and complaints began to arrive at the FDA — of such reactions as dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, and seizures. The complaints were more serious than the agency had ever received on any food additive, At the same time, scientists began looking more closely at this manufactured chemical sweetener.
In 1985, the FDA asked the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to review the first 650 complaints (there are now over 10,000). CDC found that the symptoms in approximately 25% of the complainants had stopped and then restarted, corresponding with their having stopped and then restarted, either purposely or by accident, aspartame consumption.
The CDC also identified several specific subjects whose symptoms stopped and started as they stopped and started consuming aspartame. The FDA discounted the report. The day the FDA released the CDC report, Pepsi Cola — having obtained an advance copy — announced its switch to aspartame with a worldwide media blitz.
Former White House Chief of Staff Rumsfeld owed a debt of gratitude to former White House confidante and Rumsfeld friend Donald Kendal, Pepsi’s chairman. The Pepsi announcement and aggressive marketing (millions of gumballs, a red and white swirl, tough contracts) made NutraSweet known in every home.
At the same time, according to data released in 1995, human brain tumors like those in the animal studies rose 10% and previously benign tumors turned virulent. Searle and FDA’s deputy commissioner said the data posed no problem. Two years later this same FDA official became vice president of clinical research for Searle.
From 1985 to 1995, researchers did about 400 aspartame studies. They were divided almost evenly between those that gave assurances and those that raised questions about the sweetener. Most instructively, Searle paid for 100% of those finding no problem. All studies paid for by non-industry sources raised questions.
Given this record, it is little wonder that many health-conscious people believe avoiding NutraSweet improves their quality of life. If and when a scientific consensus concludes that aspartame puts some, if not all, of its consumers at risk, it will be much too late. The point is to eat safely now. Remember: the brain you save may be your own.

James S. Turner, Esq., is a partner in the 27-year-old Washington, D.C. consumer-interest law firm of Swankin and Turner. He is the author of The Chemical Feast: The Nader Report on the Food and Drug Administration, Making Your Own Baby Food, and a number of law journal and popular media articles.

Copied from an email that arrived in my INBOX... thought this was worth sharing.

Links to Exiled Autumn's Peril

2011-09-10T15:43:00.005+10:00

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/85702?ref=flytepublishing
http://rosalieskinner.blogspot.com/2011/09/exiled-autumns-peril-character.html
http://edisbooklighthouse.blogspot.com/2011/09/edis-spotlight-autumns-peril-by-rosalie.html
http://edisbooklighthouse.blogspot.com/2011/08/edis-lighthouse-chatter-exiled-autumns.html
http://www.amazon.com/Exiled-Autumns-Chronicles-Caleath-ebook/dp/B005JU9840
http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=202&category_id=110&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1&vmcchk=1&Itemid=1
http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/rosalie-skinner/exiled-autumn-s-peril/_/R-400000000000000501446

Edi's Book Lighthouse: Edi's Spotlight: Autumn's Peril by Rosalie ...
Sep 21, 2011 ... And today I present the review of Exiled:Autumn's Peril (eBook, ... And Exiled:
Autumn's Peril belongs to my growing list of books from small ...
http://edisbooklighthouse.blogspot.com/2011/09/edis-spotlight-autumns-peril-by-rosalie.html
Edi's Book Lighthouse: Edi's Lighthouse Chatter: Exiled: Autumn's ...
Aug 31, 2011 ... Edi's Lighthouse Chatter: Exiled: Autumn's Peril by Rosalie Skinner ... I received
an electronic copy of Exiled: Autumn's Peril and started to read. ...
http://edisbooklighthouse.blogspot.com/2011/08/edis-lighthouse-chatter-exiled-autumns.html
Exiled: Autumn's Peril by Rosalie Skinner :: Reader Store
Aug 31, 2011 ... Exiled: Autumn's Peril. by Rosalie Skinner; Avg. Rating: Not yet rated; Publish
Date: August 31, 2011; Read Review (); Exiled: Autumn's Peril by ...
http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/rosalie-skinner/exiled-autumn-s-peril/_/R-400000000000000501446
Ramblings from Lady Rosalie: Extract from EXILED: Autumn's Peril...
Aug 10, 2011 ... Extract from EXILED: Autumn's Peril... from Museitup bookshop... “Well three
horses come this way. I can hold the assassin but the rest is up to ...
http://rosalieskinner.blogspot.com/2011/08/extract-from-exiled-autumns-peril.html
Chronicles of Caleath | Facebook
Exiled: Autumn's Peril is the first book in Rosalie Skinners's Chronicles of Caleath
. So before you start reading this one, be aware that it's highly addictive and ...
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Rosalie Skinner
Exiled: Autumn's Peril - Book One. Exiled: Winter's Curse - Book Two. Exiled: The
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bebo.com - Profile from Rosalie Skinner
Look for Exiled: Autumn's Peril as an ebook later in 2011. Check my blog for
extracts and news closer to release dates. Please feel free to contact me here, ...
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Connection of the Minds... Roseanne Dowell, Connecting the dots...

2011-09-10T01:56:00.015+10:00

It is great to have you here today Roseanne, Congratulations on the releaseof your new novel, Connection of the Minds.

Welcome to my blog. Thanks for being here today.

Thanks for having me.

Other than ‘author’ what are three words you would use to describe yourself?

Wife, mother, grandmother (great grandmother – I know, that’s 4)
Roseanne, I know being a grandmother is a wonderful experience, today is my granddaughter's birthday, so a double reason to celebrate. A great grandmother... that is awesome. We will allow four, in this case. :)

Do they influence you as a writer? Or the genre you write?

Not really. At least I don’t think so.

What is it about your chosen genre/s that fires up your muse?

I love and have always loved reading romance, romance/mystery, and mystery books so it’s only natural I’d want to write them.

Your book Connection of the Minds has just been released, what inspired this story?

Wow, great question. Other than a small town we visited several times, I honestly don’t know. The characters and story just suddenly came alive and of course I always listen to them.

Do you have a regime when writing? A special place, time, mood or do you snatch opportunities to pen ideas or write a few lines?

Ha, the only regime I have is when my characters come up with dialogue or something they want to do. It might be early In the morning, late afternoon, or evening. Most often it’s the middle of the night.

Does your Muse follow rules and plot lines or does she offer ideas on a whim?

I don’t plot my stories. I learned the hard way that doesn’t work for me. When I start a story, I know the beginning and the end, what happens in the middle is as much a surprise to me as it is to the readers.

That's how my Muse works too Roseanne, I don't have much luck plotting before I begin to write.

What are the most dramatic changes you have made to a story you have written? What prompted the change?

Other than editing, I honestly can’t say I make drastic or dramatic changes. I’ve been known to eliminate the first several paragraphs or even several pages and save them for later. The reason being they were back story and I wanted the story to start with action.

Has there been one event in your life that changed/inspired your writing career? For example, meeting an author, finding a publisher, joining a critique group?

Yes, years ago I took a correspondence writing course. They had a chat room and forums. The instructor doing the forums gave great examples and from her I learned to show, rather than tell my story. I learned more from her than I did the course itself.

Would you like to tell us about the main character of your book and/or the villain? Or would you like to share an excerpt? Either or both… we are keen to learn more about the story.

You don’t have to ask twice. LOL I love talking about my book. I think I’ll let the main character tell you about it.

Did you ever have a feeling something bad was about to happen? Kind of a premonition, intuition, omen or whatever you want to call it? I’m sure at some point in your life you’ve experienced ESP. I mean we all have, haven’t we? Especially with a spouse or sibling. I bet sometimes you even finish each other’s sentences. Nothing unusual in that, is there? Not at all.

But I experienced something even stranger. Oh, I’m Rebecca Brennan. Can’t expect you to read my mind, can I? I have this rare connection with someone’s mind. I feel what he feels, hear what he hears and even know what he’s thinking. Not all the time, just sometimes. Thank God for that. I’d hate to know what he’s thinking all the time. I even feel his pain. Trust me, that’s not good. In fact, none of its good. I mean seriously, how would you like to wake up in the middle of the night, screaming in pain and there’s absolutely nothing physically wrong with you? Trust me, you wouldn’t.

That’s exactly what happened to me in Connection of the Minds. I have these strange visions about someone else’s life. Some might think it’s a unique gift. Believe me, it’s not.

Excerpt:

“No!” Rebecca sprang up in bed. Hot searing pain bore into her shoulder. What was happening to her? A warm sticky substance flowed from her shoulder. Oh God, there was going to be blood. From the feel of it, lots of blood. Half afraid to look, her hand trembled as she slowly brought it in front of her face and looked at it. Dry, no blood. What was going on? These kinds of things happened way too often lately. Okay, they were dreams but still. They were so damn real.

Rebecca eased off the bed. Her feet felt like lead weights as she walked to the kitchen and poured a glass of water. After a big gulp, she hurried back to bed. Shivers racked her body even with the blanket pulled up to her chin. A minute ago sweat soaked her skin. Now she couldn’t get warm. Someone’s life had invaded her mind. She didn’t know who or where they lived. And she sure as heck didn’t like it. These were more than dreams. Most of her visions happened while she slept, but they were real. Besides, too many occurred during the day.

The pain eased, but fear and danger lingered. Curling up, she pulled the blanket tighter, closed her eyes, and willed herself to sleep. Strange visions played in her mind. Red, white, and blue flashing lights, fire engines, and ambulances, and police rushed around calling instructions, trying to control panic and hysteria at the scene.

Rebecca rubbed her eyes, trying to erase the visions.

“If only I knew how to find this person. Maybe then I’d find out what these dreams and visions mean.” Her voice startled her in the quiet room. Snuggling deeper in bed, pushing the thoughts away, she tried to sleep.

But sleep wouldn’t come. Her mind wouldn’t be still. The visions persisted. Was she going crazy? Maybe Allison was right to force her to see a parapsychologist.

"I think you’re experiencing a psychic phenomenon." Allison had suggested. "Like ESP or something."

Great extract Roseanne, sounds intriguing.

Who is publishing your story? MuseItUp Publishing

Where can we get this book? http://bit.ly/ConnectionoftheMinds

How can we follow your career?

You can find out more about me at www.roseannedowell.com or my blog at http://roseannedowellauthor.blogspot.com

Thanks for participating.It has been great to get a sneak peek into Connection of the Minds. Good luck with your book release.

Thanks again for having me. I enjoyed it.

Ramblings from Lady Rosalie

Full page article in Focus Magazine Feb 2012!!

Museitup Publishing January Contest...

How would your character react....

Review for Exiled: The Legacy of Lathraine's Pledge...

The Symbolism behind Alchemist and the Unhewn Stone.. revealed.

Stephen Zimmer giveaway opportunity... HURRY

Motivation and Characterisation...

THANK YOU....

Preditors and Editors Best Science Fiction Fantasy novel of 2011....

New Banner for 2012...

Discover Kay Dee, behind the Royal best selling author....Give-away opportunity...

Food For the Poor Pod cast... A terrific Christmas charity appeal.

Kay Dee Royal: Rosalie Skinner ~ Talks about her Exiled Series

Meet Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz...and enter a Contest.. This post is due to be live on 3rd Dec

New Book trailer for Exiled: Winter's Curse.

New Book Trailers for Exiled: Autumn's Peril

SPECIALS on at MUSEITUP till Nov 23rd

SPECIALS UNTIL NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Check out this Christmas Charity Idea from Karina Fabian...

The Chronicles of Caleath are mentioned again... on Edi's Book Lighthouse...

Meet Margaret Fieland, author of Relocated...

Teen Word Factory: Science Fiction, Science Fact or Fantasy...

Teen Word Factory: Exiled Autumn's Peril... character interview...

MUSEITUP Retreat Montreal...

Zellers Pointe Claire and MuseItUp Publishing hosting a Mega Extravaganza Booksigning event

Date: Saturday, November 5, 2011 - 1:00pm

Contact: Lea Schizas publisher@museituppublishing.com

Location: Zellers Pointe Claire

Address: 195 Hymus

Website: http://www.museituppublishing.com

91 Odd socks... Inspiring...

Kat Holmes talks about Heart of the Queen

Rock Crazy... talking to Rochelle Weber...

A confession from the author of Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator.

Frightliners... if you dare.

First Review for Exiled: Winter's Curse from Edith Parzefall

Review: Rosalie Skinner – Exiled: Winter’s Curse

Check out Edi's Book Lighthouse post for this week...

Killarney Sheffield joins us today....

Balls of a Hairy Goat...The Competition is on again for OCT...

Balls of a Hairy Goat...The Competition is on again for OCT...

Review of Autumn's Peril... from Edith Parzefall...

Exiled: Autumn's Peril Character Interview

Balls of a Hairy Goat...The Competition is on again...

Exerpt, unedited... from Underground: The Day of the Sun.

BEFORE you reach for your DIET drink...

The Aspartame / NutraSweet Fiasco

Links to Exiled Autumn's Peril

Edi's Book Lighthouse: Edi's Spotlight: Autumn's Peril by Rosalie ...

Edi's Book Lighthouse: Edi's Lighthouse Chatter: Exiled: Autumn's ...

Exiled: Autumn's Peril by Rosalie Skinner :: Reader Store

Ramblings from Lady Rosalie: Extract from EXILED: Autumn's Peril...

Chronicles of Caleath | Facebook

Rosalie Skinner

bebo.com - Profile from Rosalie Skinner

Connection of the Minds... Roseanne Dowell, Connecting the dots...