BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Josephine Templeton for "The Christmas Mistake"

The Christmas Mistake
by Josephine Templeton
Publication date: December 1st, 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Dressed in nothing but Christmas lingerie, Carina has a bellhop deliver her in a gift box to her fiance’s hotel room, but the last thing she expects when she is unwrapped is to see a sexy stranger in holiday boxers who looks like he just stepped off a magazine cover – definitely NOT her fiancé! How in the silver bells was she delivered to the wrong room?

As the owner of a small flower shop, Carina’s surrounded by romance on a daily basis. Her workaholic fiancé has been distant for the past several months, so she decides to drive from Baton Rouge to New Orleans to surprise him on Christmas Eve. However, that distance between them has brought loneliness, and the mere thought of the sexy stranger plucks at her mistletoe. When she discovers the reason for her fiance’s lack of attention, will she put him on Santa’s naughty list and take the stranger for a sleigh ride?

Goodreads / Amazon

~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Josephine Templeton ~ 

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

In 2014, the idea popped in my head … a woman in a gift wrapped box in front of a hotel door. I was working on my Urban Fantasy, so the idea was placed on a back burner.

Every Christmas season would spark more ideas for the story. I wrote a chapter here and there, but it wasn’t until 2017 when I had shoulder surgery did I get the drive to get it done. While recovering, I watched tons of Christmas romances!

2) Are there any hidden (or not so hidden) themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?

Just the flavor and style of Louisiana – from New Orleans to Baton Rouge!

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?

Maybe unconsciously but not intentionally.

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

Heather Graham!  I spent many years going to Heather’s Writers for New Orleans retreat. She had many famous writers host workshops from David Morrell (author of Rambo) to little ole me. She is so friendly to everyone and shares her knowledge with all!

5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and why?

Jo Marsh from Little Women. I’ve loved this character since I first read the story when I was in my teens.  I relate to her on so many levels – name, spirit, writer, etc.

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter from Laurell K. Hamilton’s book series because she would keep the game players in-line with her kick-butt self.

Lestat from Anne Rice’s novels, Interview With a Vampire, because he would make the game fun and interesting.

We would have to play Phase Ten, eat pizza and drink wine, beer and for Lestat – blood.

6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?

Never!  Books are the gateway to other worlds. They allow escapism from your troubles and worries.  They free your mind and clear your head.

Author Bio:

Josephine Templeton has six published novels that range from historical romance to urban fantasy. She has been to numerous conferences, including Heather Graham’s Writers for New Orleans, as well as a former member of Romance Writers of America.

 

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BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Thommy Hutson for "Write Christmas"

Write Christmas
by Thommy Hutson
Published by: Rosewind Books
Publication date: December 1st, 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy

“[A] heartwarming fantasy … Christmas enthusiasts will find this hits the spot.” ~Publishers Weekly

A contemporary, holiday fantasy with a new twist on A Christmas Carol and It’s A Wonderful Life.

Abby Nicholson used to love Christmas. Until she didn’t.

After leaving Winter Glen, the small town famous for its Christmas celebration and her family’s greeting card company, Abby is forced to return to the home she left behind when the unexpected passing of her father thrusts the business into her hands.

Turning her back on the magic of the holiday beloved by her father and the town, she decides to sell the business. Signing the paperwork with the very pen her father used to create it, she is shocked to discover her hometown has become a whole new world.

One where Christmas has vanished!

Now stuck in a place devoid of hope, joy, and the spirit of the season, Abby sees family and friends altered in the most terrible of ways.

Determined to set things right, though unsure how, Abby takes out her father’s pen and begins to draw. When she realizes her art is coming to life, she sets out to recreate the holiday and bring back the most wonderful time of the year.

But some are determined to keep an iron grip on the town and will do anything in their power to stop her.

Goodreads / Purchase

~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Thommy Hutson ~ 

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

--Christmas is my favorite time of the year and has always been such an incredibly important part of my life. The memories I have from growing up and the traditions I continue mean so much. All of that had me wondering what would happen if all of that went away. Not just currently, but forever: the memories, the feelings, the spirit of the season. What would happen if it ceased to exist? Who would I be? Who would those around me become? The answer to that was the story.

2) Are there any hidden (or not so hidden) themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?

--I don’t know that anything is hidden. Themes of love, family, and finding happiness right where you are certainly resonate on the surface. Underneath it all is doing the right thing for yourself doesn’t mean doing it at the expense of others. Finding a way to come together to cherish what you love most, with those you love most, is important, necessary, and something to work toward. 

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?

--Not directly, but there are always little pieces of real people—the things they say, do, or how they feel—in my characters. I want the characters to feel like people I know and understand so the reader can get to know and understand them.

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

--I have so many names to answer this question, and they can change every day as different writers come to mind, but right at this moment I’ll say: Ray Bradbury, William Goldman, Charles Dickens, Jean Shepherd, David Levithan, Stephen King, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, John Green, Lois Duncan, S.E. Hinton, William Golding, H.G. Wells, and Wes Craven. So, so many!

5) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?

--This is a rhetorical question, right? J

Author Bio:

Thommy Hutson is a bestselling, award-winning author, screenwriter, producer, and director.

A graduate of UCLA, he began his career co-writing the story for the Warner Bros. animated hit SCOOBY-DOO IN WHERE’S MY MUMMY? He followed that with co-writing the concept and additional material for CHILL OUT, SCOOBY-DOO!

As an author, Thommy crafted a limited-edition coffee table book detailing the making and legacy of horror icon Wes Craven’s 1984 classic A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. A trade version followed from Permuted Press/Simon & Schuster. His novel, the teen thriller Jinxed, (Vesuvian Books) is the first in a trilogy that has been called “A must-read for classic horror fans … Hutson could easily take on the mantle as the next Lois Duncan.” Hutson was named on the
7 Essential LGBTQ Horror Authors for Your Summer Reading Lists.

Thommy wrote the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries original film, A CHRISTMAS FOR THE BOOKS, which was the highest-rated scripted program the night it premiered. He co-scripted the teen thriller INSTAFAME (Lifetime), wrote a screenplay for an audio holiday project, and is in development on a family feature film. In addition, Thommy produced the critically acclaimed feature THE TROUBLE WITH THE TRUTH, an insightful relationship drama starring Lea Thompson and John Shea. He also produced DREAMWORLD, a quirky, romantic dramedy. He has also worked as a staff writer on a Hulu web series.

A member of the Producers Guild of America, a Saturn and Home Media Magazine award-winner, and an aficionado of holiday films as well as teen movies from the 80s and 90s, Thommy continues to develop unique, compelling, and provocative projects across multiple genres for film, television, publishing, and home entertainment.

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BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Isabel Jolie for "Lost on the Way"

Lost on the Way
by Isabel Jolie
Publication date: Sept 21st, 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

They were friends—just friends. Now they’re something else entirely…

Jason
Maggie was my best friend’s girl. When he died… I don’t have the words. Indescribable pain.
But we healed. Together. She got me through my illness and became my friend, my confidant, my family. She’s everything to me.
And I ruined it all last night.
One drunken night. That’s all it took. Now I’m lost.
I want her with everything I am, everything I have, but she can’t be mine. She deserves someone with better odds than the doctors gave me.
Now, if I can’t figure out how to go back to the way things were, I’ll lose the most important relationship I have. The only one that truly matters.

Maggie
Last night was the best—and worst—night of my life.
He’s made it clear, more than once, that he only wants a friendship.
Then last night happened.
And now he knows how I feel.
He’s my best friend. I love him —mind, body, and soul. We have a visceral connection others can’t understand.
The problem? He’ll always see me as his best friend’s girlfriend, no matter how many years pass.
I can’t lose him. If he wants to stay in the friend zone, I’ll need to somehow accept that and move on. I know it’s true.
But convincing my heart…well, that’s another story entirely.

One night of excess tequila changes everything for two codependent best friends. Will they lose all they had, or can they find their way to something even better?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Isabel Jolie ~ 

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline? 

I read this book called P.S. I Love You ages ago. I bawled. I might have been fifteen years old. In it, her boyfriend dies. So, not an HEA. I’ve never forgotten that book. I’ve always thought about what happened to the girl in it. I haven’t read the book in decades. But, when I was writing Trust Me, the hero had a friend, Jason. And I wanted Jason to be down, and for Sam to be concerned about him. When I was brainstorming Jason’s background, I decided that he’d had a friend who, much like in PS I love you, had died too young. And then, as I thought more about Jason’s storyline, I decided his love interest would the girl who I’d thought of so much over the years…the one who lost her first love.

2) Are there any hidden (or not so hidden) themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?

On it’s surface, it’s another version of a friends to lovers story. But, in their case, the co-dependant relationship has become toxic and unhealthy. So, one question is at what point do you walk away? Another theme is what’s required to achieve happiness, both personally and in a relationship. For Jason, communication isn’t a strength, and he ultimately follows an unconventional path to work through his issues. For Maggie, she’s spent her entire adult life putting others first and fighting a battle against a disease that isn’t her own. It’s admirable, but in many ways she’s also an enabler to Jason and she doesn’t take care of herself. It’s difficult for her, but in the end, she has to put herself first, and in her case, that means making some difficult decisions.

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?

No, the characters aren’t based on real people.

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

Jewel E. Ann comes to mind. I love how her stories are all individually. She strikes me as a writer who struck out to write the stories she wanted, as opposed to trying to fall within the mold of well-known tropes. Kennedy Ryan is another writer with powerful, riveting unique stories.

5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and why?

Well, Jamie for sure, given I haven’t yet found a rock that will serve as a portal, so if I could bring him to me, all the better. And if that was a guarantee, I’d have to think very hard about whether I would invite anyone else. But, I suppose if pushed, and of course, knowing he’s madly in love with his wife and all that, I’d probably invite Claire because I love her and if I can’t have Jamie then I could at least enjoy seeing them interact…and you know, enjoy showing them some of the cooler aspects of our current time…like the Internet. And, given all the book boyfriends I can think of are deeply in love with someone else….I guess maybe Bridget Jones? I think she’d make me laugh super hard.

But, now the question. Three over for game night? Jamie, Claire and Bridget would be an odd evening. So, I suppose I’d have Bridget, Freya Cook from Blindsided by Amy Daws, and Everly from Right by Jana Aston. Because, if it’s a drinking game night, that crew would be a lot more fun to drink with than Claire and Jamie. And as for the game, oh I don’t know. I’d set out Jenga or maybe Sequence, but the focus would be the charcuterie and the cocktails or wine. 

6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?

Over the years I’ve developed a desire for a cleaner, more streamlined (read: less to dust) aesthetic. Let’s call it Scandinavian. So, too many physical books? Yes, I’d say you can have too many. Book boxes are heavy AF when you move and when displayed they always get dusty. But never ever too many in my electronic libraries.

Author Bio:

Isabel Jolie, or Izzy to her friends, is an Amazon bestselling indie author with an unquenchable thirst for a good, sexy love story. Izzy’s heart pumps faster for stories with strong heroines, down-to-earth realism, and an unexpected twist.

When she’s not writing or reading, she can often be found with a glass of wine in hand relaxing with her husband, daughters, and good friends lakeside.

Izzy fills her Instagram feed with funnies, inspirational “brain candy”, and anything that meshes with her mood of the day. #mood.

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BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with R.J. Blain for "A Chip on Her Shoulder (Magical Romantic Comedies, #11)"

A Chip on Her Shoulder
(Magical Romantic Comedies, #11)
by R.J. Blain
Publication date: September 1st, 2020
Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy

After a deal with loan sharks sours, Darlene’s brother is permanently transformed into a chipmunk. Not one to accept impossibility as a good excuse for failure, she’s determined to rescue her brother and secure revenge against those who’d poisoned him with grade-a transformatives. 

If she wants to perform a miracle, she’ll need to join forces with a divine, but the man upstairs and his angels refuse to help.
None of the other so-called benevolent divines are willing to help her, either.
Running out of time and options, Darlene prepares to storm the gates of hell for her brother. 

She never expected to fall in love with the Devil. 

Warning: this novel contains a woman with a chip on her shoulder, humor, and one hell of a hero. Proceed with caution.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with R.J. Blain ~ 

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

The Devil and Darlene are reoccurring characters in the Mag Rom Com series, and I’ve always wanted to write their story, and as it’s one of my most frequent requests, I decided to hit two birds with one stone. I’m so glad I wrote their book. It was so, so much fun.

At its heart, A Chip on Her Shoulder is really about a young woman who will do anything for the sake of her family, even storm the gates of hell. Well, the Devil definitely has something to say about that… and so the fun begins.

2) Are there any hidden (or not so hidden) themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?

Yep! There are. This book is tricky. There are also a lot of little Easter eggs for readers of the series. Those new to the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) series absolutely can start with this novel as their first, and the clever and observant will be able to identify how certain events in previous books came to be. I love including little things like that.

It makes rereading the books more entertaining.

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?

No. I work hard to avoid doing that, as I want my characters to be their own people, and basing them off real people I know removes my ability to make them truly unique. Sometimes, character traits are shared, but I try to make sure the characters have their own personalities based on their specific life circumstances.

Now, that said, I definitely have a preference for the types of characters I write, as I enjoy telling stories about go-getters who are spunky and enjoy grabbing life by the horns and going for a wild ride.

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

I have a few authors I particularly look up towards, including Ilona Andrews and Faith Hunter, who have written some of my absolute favorite books and remain classy, wonderful individuals despite their glowing success in my field of fiction.

Basically, I want to be them if I ever grow up.

5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and why?

The Devil, Darlene, and Bailey, the main character from Playing with Fire.

I’d probably make us play some evil game like Pandemic and watch them start a fight, light the board on fire, and otherwise have a good time enjoying the generalized destruction as all three of them have vastly different approaches to how to handle generalized disaster.

I’d definitely serve tacos, because tacos are life to me.

6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?

Yes, because I only have 685 square feet in my apartment to work with, but no… because I got a kindle and now I can catch them all because digital books weigh so much less than paper ones. And they’re both books. The same exact book, to be precise. The formatting doesn’t change the text, and so… gotta catch them all!

Thank you so much for having me.

Author Bio:

RJ Blain suffers from a Moleskine journal obsession, a pen fixation, and a terrible tendency to pun without warning. 

In her spare time, she daydreams about being a spy. Her contingency plan involves tying her best of enemies to spinning wheels and quoting James Bond villains until satisfied. 

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BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Rob Jacobsen for "Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors (The Guild Codex: Warped, #1)"

Warping Minds & 
Other Misdemeanors
(The Guild Codex: 
Warped, #1)
by Annette Marie 
& Rob Jacobsen
Published by: Dark Owl Fantasy Inc.
Publication date: August 7th, 2020
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy

My name is Kit Morris, and welcome to my warped life. 

Picture the scene: Me, an average guy with psychic powers—not that my abilities are in any way average—just trying to scrape by in a harsh world. So maybe I’ve conned a few people, but did I really deserve to be thrown in MPD jail alongside magic-wielding serial killers? 

According to Agent Lienna Shen, one-hundred-percent yes. 

But her hardass attitude and “Arcana prodigy” status aren’t enough to bring down my former best friend, who slipped through the MPD’s fingers and is days away from unleashing untold horrors upon the city. Or he’s going to steal something. I don’t really know. 

Whatever he’s up to, that’s why I’m sitting in an interrogation room with Lienna. And that’s why I just offered myself as her temporary new partner for the purposes of thwarting my ex-accomplice. 

And that’s how I’m going to escape. I might even help with the case before I cut and run. 

—

Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors is the first book in a new series set in the world of The Guild Codex. It can be read on its own or as part of a larger adventure. 

More series in the Guild Codex world:
The Guild Codex: Spellbound
The Guild Codex: Demonized

Goodreads / Amazon

~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Rob Jacobsen ~ 

1. What inspired you to become a writer?

I’ve always loved creating and telling stories. That passion has driven me in everything I’ve ever done. It’s why I wrote awful detective stories as a prepubescent Hardy Boys fan; it’s why I wrote plays for my fellow drama geeks to perform in high school; it’s why I went to theatre school and eventually got my MA in Creative Writing; it’s why I became a filmmaker and moved out to Vancouver to pursue acting; and it’s why I’m co-authoring these books with Annette! I can’t pinpoint one thing that inspired me. It’s just the way I’ve always been.

2. What was the hardest part of writing this book?

For me, the most difficult thing about writing Warping Minds was learning the Urban Fantasy genre. While I’ve read plenty of fantasy before, my writing has usually leaned towards sci-fi, drama, and/or dark comedy, so it was a bit tricky grasping the nuances and expectations of an entirely different genre. It does help, though, to have a teacher like Annette, who is pretty much a UF master.

3. Did you learn anything from writing the book that you weren’t expecting?

Did you know some smart cars have four seats instead of two? I didn’t until I was doing some very important research for these books. Very. Important. Research.

4. Who is your favorite author and what it is that you enjoy about their work?

What a cruel question! Being asked to name one favorite author is like being asked to name a single favorite movie or dessert or musician or star in the sky—there are too many! HOW DARE YOU. Okay, okay, let me see. Can I give you three? I like Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club, Rant, Survivor) because of his consistently unique handling of plot and narrative voices; I like Margaret Atwood (Oryx and Crake, The Handmaid’s Tale, Alias Grace) because of her in-depth world-building and fearless examination of social issues; I like David Mitchell because Cloud Atlas might be the most beautiful book I’ve ever read (the movie’s okay, too).

5. If you could have any three characters over to your place for movie night, who would you invite, what would you watch, what would you serve, and why?

Do they have to be from Warping Minds? Or can I bring in characters from the literary world as a whole? Regardless, I’m inviting Kit because he’ll appreciate, more than anyone, the value of a good movie night. I’m inviting Lienna as well. She’s crazy smart and a total badass, so the conversation will be excellent and if we’re randomly attacked by rogue mythics, she can mess them up. Finally, I’m not much of a party planner, so I’m inviting Jay Gatsby. If he’s the Leonardo DiCaprio version, great. If he’s the Robert Redford version, even better! Either way, he can provide the drinks and snacks and we’ll all have a wild time.

6. How many books (physical and/or digital) would you say that you own?

Uhhh...a bunch? This is a difficult question—not because I’m a book hoarder, but because I’ve moved roughly a dozen times in the last decade, so my book collection is scattered all over the place. Sadly, not every book survives the move. At one point, my sister had a few boxes of my books. They’re...somewhere else now? Also, my dad and I exchange books sometimes, so he’s probably got some of mine kicking around. If I had to guesstimate, I’d say I own a couple hundred books. Probably more.

Author Bio:

Annette Marie is the author of Amazon best-selling YA urban fantasy series Steel & Stone, its prequel trilogy Spell Weaver, and romantic fantasy trilogy Red Winter. Her first love is fantasy, but fast-paced adventures and tantalizing forbidden romances are her guilty pleasures. She lives in the frozen winter wasteland of Alberta, Canada (okay, it's not quite that bad) with her husband and their furry minion of darkness—sorry, cat—Caesar. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in one art project or another while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities. 

Author links:

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram 

Rob Jacobsen is a Canadian writer, actor, and director, who has been in a few TV shows you might watch, had a few films in festivals you might have attended, and authored some stories you might have come across. He's hoping to accomplish plenty more by the time he inevitably dies surrounded by cats while watching reruns of Mr. Robot.
Currently, he is the Creative Director of Cave Puppet Films, as well as the co-author of the upcoming Guild Codex: Warped book series with Annette Marie. 

Author links:

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BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with M.C. Solaris for "Calypso’s Heart (Orion’s Order, #1)"

Calypso’s Heart
(Orion’s Order #1)
by M.C. Solaris
Publication date: May 15th, 2020
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

If you enjoy Psy-Changeling and Black Dagger Brotherhood, this new series is right up your alley! 

Sexy shifters. Hot vampires. Intriguing immortals. Strong heroine. Sizzling romance. Page-turning plot full of emotion and excitement. Modern and fresh take on fated mates. 

Caly 

Do you dream of ridiculously hot men? Okay, maybe you do. (And yes, I’m well aware I should lay off the romance books before bed.) But do you actually ever meet those men you dream about in real life? I didn’t think so. That’s probably a good thing though because I have… And these men from my dreams have done nothing but pull the rug of reality out from under me… which was how I fell and ended up in a world that I thought only existed in romance books. 

My name is Caly (AKA Callie) and I’m just an ordinary single woman living the LA dream… paycheck to paycheck. Except whose dream is it? I’m not really sure… but it’s not my dream. Especially because I have really weird dreams… like really weird. Then again, everyone has weird dreams, right? 

Blake 

I am an alpha wolf shifter and leader of Orion’s Order, a pack of… well, not wolves. We’re an unconventional pack of highly skilled specian hunters that do one thing: hunt the evil in our world. And we were hired by SILE (Species Investigative Law Enforcement) to hunt a bloodthirsty criminal who is infamously untraceable. That was until an irresistible female brought an unexpected twist to our hunt and set things in motion… a motion that has left my pack and our world forever changed. 

Welcome to The Order and a secret world of magic and mystery, where a pack of unlikely friends find love and fight against an ancient evil force. 

Devour this addictive series at your own risk…
+ Happily Ever After
+ Steamy Paranormal Shifter Romance
+ Multiple POV
+ Mature Content 

——————————————— 

CALYPSO’S HEART is an adult paranormal wolf shifter romance. If you like swoon-worthy males, heroines with feminine strength, an engaging plot, satisfying relationships, steamy love stories, happy ever afters, and getting sucked into a supernatural story, then you’ll want to immerse yourself in the world of species!
You’ll feel right at home if you’re a JR Ward, Nalini Singh, and Dannika Dark fan. 

——————————————— 

~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with M.C. Solaris ~ 

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

There wasn’t one thing or event in particular that inspired the storyline. In fact, I wasn’t even planning on ever being an author, let alone publishing paranormal romance. Sure, I’m an avid reader of PNR and love love love it but it wasn’t in the realm of my conscious mind to write PNR. Until one day (during the January 2019 super blood moon eclipse), I literally woke up and began writing bios for my imaginary friends (AKA the characters that were suddenly in my head introducing themselves and sharing their world with me). And as soon as I started writing, I couldn’t stop. There was no plot planning or storyline strategizing. Instead, the words and scenes were in my mind, playing out like a movie and I just wrote down the stories I saw. This is how Calypso’s Heart was written. And this is also how Book 2 (Rhyker’s Key) and Book 3 (title not yet revealed) were written.

2) Are there any hidden (or not so hidden) themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?

What a great and interesting question! Yes, definitely. I will share one in particular. :) In a sense, I believe (and was pleasantly surprised, as I was writing the story that played out in my mind) Calypso’s Heart highlights and modernizes elements of a story that has been circulating in human storytelling for ages. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but I will say that story is known as the "Bluebeard" French folktale. I was first introduced to this story in Women who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estés.

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?

I would say that overall there are some characters and events that are definitely inspired by things in the real world, including similar characteristics, tendencies, experiences, etc. However, one of the characters in particular, Starr, does share quite a bit in common with my sister and best friend, Marchesa. They aren’t the same person in my mind and they don’t share everything in common but certainly the strong similarities between them exist. Not only is Starr’s physical characteristics based on my sister but they are also both fiery and independent alpha females that are unapologetically blazing their own way through the world. My sister is most definitely aware of this and we often joke about it all the time—to the point where I often call her Starr-chesa whenever she says or does something that I feel is just “so Starr.”

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

Ah, this is such a tough question because I can’t just pick one! ;) I am inspired by so many authors and so many things, including life experiences and lessons that either I or others experience. But I absolutely wish to start off by sharing that the first romance novel I read was the Three Sisters Trilogy by Nora Roberts. I fell in love with the genre and Nora Roberts so much that I proceeded to consume as many of her books as I could while still (somewhat) living a life. ;) Her books really were the bridge that opened me up to new authors that I love and inspire me, like J.R. Ward, Nalini Singh, and Dannika Dark. And of course, I must give a big shout out to all of the fantasy books/authors I’ve ever read, especially when growing up. Nancy Drew, J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien comes to mind but I know there are so many other authors and stories I’m forgetting but that doesn't make them any less impactful or meaningful to my journey as both a reader and a writer.

5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and why?

Throwing me another toughy, eh? ;) I feel compelled to share that I’m one of those indecisive people who may or may not have a mini panic attack trying to decide what to order off of a menu because there are too many choices and too many things that sound good. Starbucks seems to come to mind… And even after standing in line for a questionably long time while solely staring at their ridiculously long list of drink choices (let’s not even get to their food offerings), I still feel almost paralyzed by the sheer amount of choices by the time I walk up to the counter… which is how I usually end up just ordering the same thing.

Okay, so that was a long tangent about which characters I would invite over for game night, what we would play, and what I would serve. But I think you’ll understand why this question may be putting me in a mini panic attack and having some PTSD memories of my Starbucks trips flash through my mind. ;) There are simply too many characters, too many lovely foods, and too many awesome games to choose. And now I’m thinking that I would need to have many dinner parties in order to spend time with all the characters... which has my majorly introverted self going into a slight tizzy at the prospect of so many parties. ;)

Okay, I digress… again. Overall, I think my first dinner party would be with “the crew” — AKA the characters in Calypso’s Heart who include the males of Orion’s Order (a pack of skilled and sexy as hell hunters that each have a piece of my heart), Caly, Aleia, Keena, Starr, and Riordan. And as far as cooking goes, well, I would leave that up to Meri, the cooking queen and castellan in Calypso’s Heart (especially because I’m a terrible cook and whenever I’m in the kitchen, my partner often jokes, “Whatcha burning for dinner tonight, babe?” lol). And as far as the game goes, I would leave that up to Rhyland and Rhyker, the playful, twin jaguar shifters of Orion’s Order who love to indulge in their feline nature with pranks and games.

6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?

E-books? No way can you have too many! Fill my e-library up to infinity and beyond. :) Same goes for audiobooks too. But I think my currently overflowing, makeshift dresser doubling as a bookshelf collecting embarrassing amounts of dust agrees with me when I say that I may be close to hitting my limit of the amount of physical books my quaint apartment can hold at the moment (you know, without being on the next episode of Hoarding: Buried Alive on TLC).

“It has the elements you need – love, pain, heartache, action, revenge, some light comedy, etc. I thought the sex scenes were SPOT ON! Like damn those were great. I really felt immersed in it at times and I felt transported into the story.” ★★★★★ 

“The descriptions and imagery are on point. It’s easy to picture the characters and scenes. I like the multiple POV shifts to better understand and immerse myself in the character’s mind. The sex scenes are steamy and kept me turning the pages.” ★★★★★ 

“…if you are looking for a book that punches you in your face, right out the gate, with unrealistic action, tasteless sex scenes, and emotional turmoil, this won’t be it. Go watch Shameless instead. But if you are looking for something that unfolds at a pace that gives you time to decipher the characters, setting, and complexities of the story that is to come, then this is for you…” ★★★★★ 

“…at one point in the book, a group of characters are all introduced in a short amount of time. While this might not be standard protocol for fictional stories, it’s realistic. Trust that it was done with purposeful intent. Without giving away too much about the story, you get to learn about a pack of males in their environment, doing what males do…” ★★★★★

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Author Bio:

M.C. Solaris’s life took an unexpected turn during the super blood moon eclipse on January 20, 2019. She woke up and began writing bios for her imaginary friends that she met that day. As soon as the pen hit the paper (or fingertips to the iPhone), she couldn’t stop. It was kind of like one of those fire hydrants, spewing copious amounts of water all over the place. The characters and their stories just flowed out of her. She is honored to be the scribe, getting to share her friends’ stories. You can read all about her gifted friends in the Orion’s Order series (Book 1 is Calypso’s Heart). 

On a personal note, M.C. Solaris is actually the pseudonym of Marina Schroeder, women’s health enthusiast and lover of all things paranormal romance (PNR) and happily ever after (HEA). When she is not curled up on the sofa with her partner’s oversized hoodie, a PNR novel, peppermint tea, and one of her three cats, you will find her either at the ocean with her toes in the sand or in a forest hugging a tree. Well truthfully? There is one more place you might find her: trolling the aisles of Whole Foods for a satisfying combination of salty and sweet while hiding in her partner’s hoodie… like any proper PNR-writing introvert. 

Want to get the latest scoop, sneak peeks, and short shares all about her imaginary friends? Go to www.mcsolaris.com and sign up for the newsletter.

Welcome to The Order! 

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BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Elizabeth Hrib for "The Dark In-Between"

The Dark In-Between
by Elizabeth Hrib
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: May 5th, 2020
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Action-packed and emotionally powerful like big- and small-screen hits such as The Sixth Sense and Supernatural, The Dark In-Between by Elizabeth Hrib is sure to stay with you long after the lights go out. 

Something lurks in the shadows between life and death.

A terrible accident brings sixteen-year-old Casey Everett’s life to a halt—literally. Pulled from the water, Casey is rushed to the hospital and miraculously revived. But her sudden return to the living is shadowed by the drowning of her best friend, Liddy.
Overcome with grief, Casey returns home for the summer only to find the memories of the accident won’t let her go. Shadow-drenched nightmares. Whispers in the back of her mind. Her friend’s screams. Casey thinks she’s losing it… until she watches a boy fall from the sky. 

Red—an angel fallen to earth to regain his wings—takes her to Limbo, a place that exists somewhere between the living and the dead. Now, in order to save her best friend, Casey must learn to walk these mysterious and dangerous paths or else risk losing Liddy’s trapped soul to something worse than death.

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~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Elizabeth Hrib ~

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

There were a couple of things. The first was this very visual image I had of a marble statue shattering into a million crystal pieces. I had no idea what was happening or what it was about, all I knew was it belonged in this story I’d yet to write. The next bit of inspiration I had was from some research I was doing for a nursing assignment in university. I came across an article on the Lazarus effect — basically people spontaneously coming back to life after being pronounced dead. I don’t know how, but those two things sort of sparked the idea that became the strange, paranormal world of The Dark In-Between.

2) Are there any hidden (or not so hidden) themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?

The book deals with the process of grief and healing and forgiveness after a tragedy, examining different journeys to that point through the various characters. But for me, The Dark In-Between is ultimately a story about hope and the power of friendship. I have some really amazing friends in my life which I think is where I drew a lot of that inspiration from, and it’s very much the same for Casey. Throughout the book, the question really becomes what wouldn’t she do to save this person she cares about. When it comes to Liddy, there’s no hesitation. Whether that means crossing into some other dimension, breaking unwritten rules of the universe, or causing chaos in the world of angels and demons, Casey’s prepared to do just about anything and she does. I hope readers will be able to connect with the more human moments of the book, while also being able to see themselves reflected in this paranormal adventure through things like friendship and first loves.

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?

            Liddy, the best friend of main character Casey, is loosely based on my sister. My sister and I are super close in real life, so it just seemed fitting when some of her real characteristics worked their way into the story. We don’t see a whole lot of human Liddy, except for in a few of Casey’s flashbacks, but those moments definitely capture Liddy’s spirit and fabulous sense of style, her wittiness, and humour — all of which are things that I sort of unconsciously based on my sister.

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

I suppose it could be any number of the authors I read growing up. I was fortunate enough to have a librarian in the family who kept me supplied with new books, and I read widely as a kid and even now as an adult. But the actual person who I think has influenced me the most as a writer is my grandma. She’s not a writer herself, but looking back, she was the first real storyteller I was exposed to. I remember my siblings and I sitting at the kitchen table at her house, eating delicious food, while she sat across from us and entertained us with fabulous stories. Most of them were based on her life growing up in Europe on the cusp of World War II. I was captivated by it all, especially as a kid, hearing about this world that differed so much from my own. And every time we visited, I would beg her to tell us more stories, even the same stories, over and over. I definitely came to understand the art of storytelling from her and have learned to incorporate that in my writing.

5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and why?

Oh, this is a hard one! I guess I would invite Gandalf, obviously, because he’s a wizard from one of the richest literary worlds around. He would have all the stories to entertain us all night. Plus, he has a penchant for fireworks, so there’s your post game-night entertainment. I’m going to stick with the wizard theme and invite Remus Lupin next. He definitely taught the coolest class at Hogwarts and has a fondness for chocolate. Hello, same! He was always a favourite character of mine, so he gets seat number two. Lastly, I would invite Elphaba Thropp, the famed Wicked Witch of the West, because in Gregory Maguire’s Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, we learn that there are two sides to every story and I dig a social-justice-warrior witch! I’d obviously go with an old classic and serve pizza, because one: it’s game night; and two: I’ve literally never met anyone that doesn’t like pizza. Plus toppings are customizable for any picky eaters. Then we can have the great pineapple on pizza debate! With this crew of characters we would play Dungeons and Dragons, obviously, because what better to play with a bunch of wizards/witches than a fantasy RPG game?

6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?

No! There is absolutely no such thing as too many books. That’s like asking if you can ever have too much chocolate? The answer is also no in case you’re wondering.

Author Bio:

Elizabeth Hrib was born and raised in London, Ontario where she studied nursing at Western University. She now calls the East Coast home, where she works as a nurse in Halifax. When she’s not working or writing, she can be found at the piano, planning her next Netflix binge, or attempting to keep her small, windowsill garden alive. 

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BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Caitlin Lochner for "An Outcast and an Ally (A Soldier and a Liar, #2)"

An Outcast and an Ally
(A Soldier and a Liar, #2)
by Caitlin Lochner
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: April 21st, 2020
Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Dark secrets and conflicting loyalties abound as four superpowered teens are torn apart by war in Caitlin Lochner’s An Outcast and an Ally, the epic YA sequel to A Soldier and a Liar. 

Lai, Jay, Al, and Erik are on the run after the military accuses them of being traitors. Tensions between everyone are high, but they have to stick together if they want to survive. And somehow stop the war that’s now in full swing. 

But when Erik returns to the rebels to find answers about his past, Lai, Al, and Jay have no choice but to go to the Order―a peace coalition bent on stopping the rebels and dissolving the enmity between gifted and ungifted. However, the longer the war drags on, the more Lai’s long-kept secrets threaten to destroy everything she’s ever worked for. Sparks fly as the team constantly questions whether they can trust one another and everyone tries to navigate a war that will change everything. 

Filled with the same high-stakes superpowered action and complex relationships as A Soldier and A Liar, Caitlin’s first book, An Outcast and an Ally brings this story to a dramatic and satisfying close.

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~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Caitlin Lochner ~

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

To be honest, the storyline has changed so much from the very first draft I wrote almost eight years ago that I don’t really remember how the current story arc came to be. It kind of just gradually evolved over time and multiple rewrites. I remember the general inspiration came after watching a superhero movie (I can’t remember which one, but it was when they were first starting to get big) and thinking how cool it’d be to play with characters who have superpowers but aren’t necessarily heroes. I’ve always loved playing with morally gray characters, and I wanted to see how having powers could muddle that even further.

2) Are there any hidden (or not so hidden) themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?

It’s not anything new—especially in dystopian works—but there’s very much a Them vs. Us theme going on. I wanted to speak to the wrongness of discrimination of any kind, though without hitting my readers over the head with it, so I hope that comes through in a more nuanced way. I also wanted to pose questions of identity and how our past can define us if we let it, as well as asking questions that don’t have a necessarily “right” or “good” answer. When the only options you have are bad ones, how do you act on that to do what’s right to the best of your ability and live with those decisions?

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?

Nope! Or at least, not that I consciously know of. I’ve drawn on a real life conversation for something minor that happens in A Soldier and a Liar, and I definitely recall my own past feelings/experiences to write some of the more emotional moments in my writing. But for the most part, my characters are entirely fictional.

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

I’d say one of my best friends, Kristin Dodson. We went to high school together (a lifetime ago??) and she encouraged me to keep writing, become better, and we exchanged work a lot (and still do!) to mutually fangirl over and give constructive feedback on. I think that mutual love for writing and desire to become better as well as help each other become better is what led to me pursuing writing seriously at all. I also had the most amazing thesis director, Brenda Peynado, who’s taught me a ton about theme and novel structure over the last two years and has pretty much changed the way I look at both of these things forever. As for writers I love and have tried to learn from on my own by reading and studying their books, Tamora Pierce, Cinda Williams Chima, Maggie Stiefvater, and, very recently, Megan Whalen Turner—who is on the fast track to being my favorite writer ever—have all played a big part in my writing.

5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and why?

So this is hard because I feel like all of my favorite characters would probably either cheat or be terrible at game night?? Although everyone cheating and outmaneuvering one another would actually probably be pretty awesome to watch, now that I think about it. They’re from the same series, but I love their dynamic and back-and-forth of wits so much that I have to say Eugenides and Attolia from The Queen’s Thief series. As for my third, Aly from Trickster’s Choice would definitely complete the trio of masterminds. I would absolute lose at whatever game we all played where it was everyone for themselves, but it’d be really fun to do Master Labyrinth or a D&D campaign. I would probably serve brownies, a bunch of sweets, and wine because this is who I am as a person.

6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?

My overflowing bookcase with actual stacks of books piled at the foot says no, haha. I love surrounding myself with all kinds of different worlds and characters, and I’m always happy to support authors even if I won’t have a chance to read their book for awhile!

Author Bio:

I’m a nerd, traveler, and architecture enthusiast who worked as an assistant English teacher in Tokyo for three years before pursuing my MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Central Florida. I love reading and writing anything with magic, adventure, and complex found-family relationships. I can typically be found absorbed in books, games, or manga, or else obsessing over said books, games, and manga. 

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BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Janet Elizabeth Henderson for "Rich (Benson Security, #5)"

Rich
(Benson Security, #5)
by Janet Elizabeth Henderson
Publication date: April 23rd, 2020
Genres: Adult, Thriller

Rachel Ford-Talbot has nothing to do with her family or their pharmaceutical business. And she likes it that way. As one of four partners who own an internationally renowned security business, Rachel prefers to leave her past, with all its secrets, deeply buried. 

But when a series of thefts reveal that the family business is being targeted for industrial espionage, her father begs Rachel to investigate. His illness makes it hard for her to refuse, but Rachel wonders if he truly understands what he’s unleashing on his company. Because she isn’t the same bright-eyed graduate that walked through their doors years earlier. Now, she’s strong, powerful, and somewhat terrifying. A woman who doesn’t suffer fools lightly and who is afraid of nothing. 

She also isn’t alone. 

This time, she has the might and expertise of Benson Security at her back. And an ex-CIA agent at her side—because Michael “Harvard” Carter has appointed himself her bodyguard for the duration. Even though Rachel doesn’t need, or want, the annoyingly sexy man’s help. But while the world sees a first-class bitch when they look at her, Michael sees only someone who intrigues him. Which makes him the biggest threat of all. 

***This is a standalone novel. You don’t have to have read any of my other books to enjoy it.***

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~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Janet Elizabeth Henderson ~

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

I wish I knew! 😊 Ideas come at me from different directions, but in this case, I think the main inspiration was the characters themselves. The heroine is a difficult woman. She’s bitchy, sarcastic, snobbish and very entertaining. She also has a soft side that she refuses to acknowledge in any way. I wanted to show why the hero loves her, why her family adore her, and how that inner strength of hers helps her cope with the aftermath of trauma. 

2) Are there any hidden (or not so hidden) themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?

This book is about survival and hope. It’s about choosing to love people who allow you to be yourself. 

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?

Goodness no! Once you read Rachel, you’ll know what I mean!! 😊

  

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

Christine Feehan and Nalini Singh have had a big influence on my writing. They both know how to tell a story, they’re great at building well-rounded characters and Nalini, especially, can write the most beautiful sentences. I want to be them when I grow up!

5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and why?

I wouldn’t mind playing strip poker with Dash Sinclair from Elizabeth’s Wolf by Laura Leigh, Hawk from Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling books, and Zacharias De La Cruz from Dark Predator by Christine Feehan. 😊 As for food…since both Hawk and Dash are shifters, there’s need to be meat. Possibly BBQ. 

  

6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?

Never!

Author Bio:

Janet is a Scot who moved to New Zealand fifteen years ago. Among other things, she’s been an artist, a teacher, a security guard at a castle, a magazine editor, and a cleaner in a drop in center for drug addicts (NOT the best job!). She now writes full-time and is working on her 19th book. Her books have won several awards, including the Daphne du Maurier award for excellence in mystery and suspense. When she isn’t living in her head, she raises two kids, one husband, and several random animals. She survives on chocolate and caffeine. 

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