Summer Teen Reading Party with Marva Dasef

Happy Wednesday! We continue the Teen Reading Party and I welcome Marva Dasef, author of a fabulous series, The Witches of Gadlorheim, as my guest today. Check out these great covers:

Marva's stories incorporate Celtic mythology by way of Scotland. My first novel, Emily's House, incorporates Celtic mythology by way of Ireland, so I enjoyed this post from Marva a lot! And there is an excerpt of Scotch Broom so be sure to read through and check that out:

SCOTCH BROOM: Book 3 of The Witches of Galdorheim

A magical trip to Stonehenge lands a witch in the Otherworld where an ancient goddess is up to no good.

Blurb:

Kat expects to have a great time on her graduation trip to Stonehenge. However, from the moment she leaves the witches’ arctic island, Galdorheim, she gets in nothing but trouble.  Her younger half-brother tries to horn in on her trip, she gets lost in the magical Otherworld realm, is led astray by a supposed friend, then she has to confront a Scottish goddess who’s fallen on hard times.

While dodging the goddess’ minions and trying to find her way out of the Otherworld, Kat soon learns she shouldn’t underestimate the old has-been for one second; the crone still has a few tricks that can drain a witch’s magic in a flash. To make matters worse, Kat's brother secretly followed her into the Otherworld. Now he’s in danger too.  Kat has to go one on one with the goddess to save herself and her brother.

Leave a comment to win a free ebook of any of the Witches of Galdorheim. To win a GRAND PRIZE, read the posts carefully, then answer the easy quiz on Marva’s Blog at http://mgddasef.blogspot.com between May 27^th and 31^st. All the information and links you need will be posted.

The Cat Fairy, Cait Sidhe

From the Encyclopedia Mythica:

Sidhe (pronounced 'shee') literally means "people of the (fairy) hills". It is the Gaelic name for the fairies in both Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland. Usually these fairies are attracted to those who are beautiful as well as wealthy.

Many many, many, many writers are in love with the Celtic myths. I’ve delved into them, too. However, I’m not a big fan of the flitty little cute faeries (or fae or fairies). In Celtic mythology, there’s a fairy (or fae or faerie) for just about any purpose. The “serious” fantasies love the idea of the fairy troupe. More than a few equate fairies to Arthurian legends, many specifically to Merlin.

The third book in the Witches of Galdorheim series, Scotch Broom, is set in the Scottish Highlands, or, rather, the Otherworld which is another dimension that exists within the Flow Country. Of course, I had to include at least one fairy in the mix or I’d be violating some unwritten fantasy rule.

If you write Celtic fantasy, then you know that Sidhe is pronounced Shee in Ireland and Sith in Scotland. I wonder where George Lucas got Sith lords? Hmm.

Anyway, I found a particular sidhe I liked. She’s a big black cat with a white chest. Aha! I happen to have the model for said cat (in a much reduced size) sitting at my door every morning demanding a handout. We call her Bitch Kitty. Yes, she has attitude in spades. So, there’s my model for Cait Sidhe, a companion to my erstwhile heroine, Kat.

Excerpt

Kat has already found two companions: Sianach a stag and Cusith (another sidhe) a giant, green hound. They’re tromping through the swamps trying to find the Trow King’s hall in the middle of the Otherworld (the alternate magic world in the Scottish Highlands).

They marched on in a straight line, having no better idea of which direction to go, while Cusith zigzagged ahead of them with his nose close to the earth. Suddenly, the green hound raised his head and bayed. A moment later, he galloped across the moor, water splashing when his huge paws hit the tiny pools.

“What’s up with him?” Kat asked.

Sianach lifted his chin for a better view. “He appears to be in pursuit of an animal of some type.”

“I hope he’s not hurting some little swamp creature.”

“If he is, then the beast is making Cusith pay for the privilege.”

Kat and Sianach walked faster after Cusith, the dog’s trail marked by flying grass and water. When Cusith finally stopped, Kat and Sianach trotted to catch up. The hound was standing over something furry and black that lay on the ground beneath his huge paw.

“No, don’t! Don’t hurt it,” Kat called out. Cusith turned his head toward her, tongue lolling.

“I won’t. It’s not food.”

Kat reached Cusith’s side and knelt down to examine the raggedy clump of ebony fur. It leapt up, scrabbling for a foothold, but Cusith clamped his paw down harder to hold it still.

“It’s a cat!” Kat reached out with her mind but met the same blank wall she had with Sianach and Cusith. So, she tried the old-fashioned way. “Here kitty, kitty. Nice kitty.” An ear-splitting yowl almost knocked Kat back on her rear.

“I am not your ‘nice kitty,’ you rude thing! I am Cait Sidhe; I’ll have you know. Surely, this stag...and mutt...have heard of me.”

Sianach, who stood to one side to stay out of the fray, nodded his elegant head. “Yes, I know you. Not that it is a pleasure.”

The cat hissed and swiped a pawful of razor sharp claws across Cusith’s foot. The big dog quickly released the black cat. “Sorry. Just having some fun.”

Cait sat up and licked a couple of swipes over the white spot on her chest. “Now you’ve covered me with mud. It’ll take hours to get clean again.”

Although it looked much like a normal house cat, standing Cait Sidhe would reach Kat’s knee. The cat had to weigh in at thirty pounds or more. Both Sianach and Cusith were of the extra-large size, so she wasn’t too surprised.

Kat stood and moved closer to the cat. “Hello. I’m Kat, a witch from Galdorheim. I’m pleased to meet you.” She resisted the urge to scratch behind the cat’s ear. She had a feeling she might end up with severe lacerations.

“I didn’t quite catch your, um, last name. How do you spell it?”

“S-I-D-H-E. Just like it sounds, stupid biped.”

Kat gritted her teeth at the cat’s rude answer but decided to stay calm. “Is that sidhe as in faery?”

The cat quit licking and looked at Kat with penetrating yellow eyes. Curling her lip, she exposed gleaming fangs. “The pronunciation varies, depending on where one is. Sidhe is shee in Ireland and sith in Scotland. We are in the Scottish section of the Otherworld, thus sith is proper.” Cait licked her right paw and swiped it over her ear. “Personally, I prefer shee since it is more commonly used. Nobody seems to say sith anymore.” She tipped her head in Cusith’s direction. “Except that dog, of course.”

“Um, okay. That’s interesting. Are you friends with Cusith and Sianach?” Kat asked.

“Not even.” Cait Sidhe glanced at Cusith. “Cusith is a mutt, or dog, if you will. And I am a cat. We do what cats and dogs do, but we are not friends. Sianach, well, as a meat eater, I see Sianach as lunch.”

“Oh, sorry. I just assumed since you know each other—”

“Do not assume anything in the Otherworld.” Cait Sidhe examined Kat. “What are you doing wandering around in the magical realm? Witches generally stay in the mundane world.”

“Oh, I’m looking for King Connor’s hall. I have messages, or I guess I should say I had messages. Someone stole them and took my map to the hall. Now, I just hope he can get me out of the Otherworld in one piece.”

“I see. Well, I have nothing better to do today, so I’ll come with you.”

“Sure, if you’d like to. Do you have any idea which way to go?”

“I do. However, my path to the Hall isn’t one you can follow.” The cat raised her head and looked around. “Maybe I can find an alternate way. After all, I am a hunter, therefore I hunt.”

“Makes sense,” Kat replied, a little doubtful of the cat’s word. She had the same sense about Sianach’s reasons for helping her. A private matter, he had said. The cat didn’t give any reason at all. Should she trust Cusith? He seemed to be Sianach’s good friend, so that might be his only motive for coming along on the trip. It troubled her she could not delve into the minds of any of them.

* * * *

About Marva:

Marva Dasef lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a fat white cat. Retired from thirty-five years in the software industry, she has now turned her energies to writing fiction and finds it a much more satisfying occupation. Marva has published more than forty stories in a number of on-line and print magazines, with several included in Best of anthologies. She has several previously published books. Her latest pride and joy is the Witches of Galdorheim Series from her super duper publisher, MuseItUp.

Where to find her:

MuseItUp Author Page: http://tinyurl.com/MIU-MarvaDasef

Blog: http://mgddasef.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/MarvaDasef

Twitter Handle: @Gurina

Book Trailers: http://www.youtube.com/user/MarvaDasef/videos

Manic Monday: "Dark Shadows" on Mother's Day

"Dark Shadows," courtesy Warner Brothers

I'm a huge of both Tim Burton fan and Johnny Depp. I've been known to enjoy me some vampire fiction (more Anne  Rice than Twilight, thank you.). So when I heard that Tim and Johnny teamed up to create a campy vampire flick, I said, "Yes, please."

Mother's Day afternoon in the hot desert climate of Tucson means movies with the family. My husband dropped my daughter and I off at the curb with the mission to buy tickets to The Avengers while he parked.

While hubby circled, I bought tickets to Dark Shadows instead. Hey, it was Mother's Day after all. Why shouldn't I get some eye candy on my day?!

The previews had led me to believe that I'd get a funny romp making lots of fun jokes about the 1970's. It looked fast and fun.

It was not fast. And it wasn't that fun either. Just about all the jokes were shown in the trailers. Once that bit was used up, there was hardly a '70s reference after the first third of the movie. The movie also plodded a bit. The first twenty minutes seemed particularly slow.

But the fashion of the movie was fun. Johnny's clothing, hair and makeup are fabulous. And those false eyelashes - it made me want to go buy some. Michelle Pfeiffer is the bomb and she looked every bit the 1970's beauty. And Helena Bonham Carter too looked great. They were outstanding at their roles.

But I hate to say it, the movie fell short. I wanted so much for it to succeed. It never felt much like a Tim Burton film. It seemed to lack a clear vision. It is funny? It seemed that Johnny's influence cast the campy, fun light on the film.

Or is it dark? There is a scene with a young girl being hauled off to an insane asylum, screaming for her parents not to send her away as they just stoically watch as she's carted away. This scene was perhaps the only one that said "Tim Burton" to me. And it was haunting and memorable. There were other bits where one got the "dark" of "Dark Shadows," but mostly Johnny as a vampire is more comical than dark and it just didn't work for me.

Bottom line: If you are a huge Johnny Depp fan, go. You'll enjoy watching Johnny be Johnny. Seeing him decked out in his wrap around glasses (see picture above), and his modern-retro vampire look is worth the price of admission.

But if you are going to see a Tim Burton movie, you may be disappointed. It just didn't feel Tim Burtonish to me.

If you go or have seen it, leave me a comment and let me know if you agree or had a different take.

~          ~          ~

I had a wonderful Mother's Day, spent in the way I wanted - quality time with my dear daughter. She's nine now and we're still tight. I hope it lasts but I remember how the teen years saw me drift away from my own mother. Can you relate?

I recently penned a short story in honor of Mother's Day. It appeared as a guest post on another blog but I thought I'd share it here with my readers. Comments are always welcome.

You Are a Mother

You open your eyes and the first thing you see is her face. You love nothing more than looking at that face. You don’t yet have the words to define what you see. Al you know is that you feel happier when she casts her eyes on yours; that when her lips curl up at the sides it makes your lips curl up too – and that feels nice.

You’ve just hit the ground after stepping off the bus and you feel rotten inside. There’s never been a worse day.

It started in the morning when you unpacked your backpack and realized you’d forgotten to pack your math homework. Then at lunch your so-called best friend didn’t save you a seat and you had to sit alone. Things went downhill after that. Josh’s usual teasing in art class made you want to punch him or cry, but you don’t do either.

She’s there, waiting for you. Some days you wish she wouldn’t hover. You’re a big kid now, not three. But that day, it feels kinda nice to know that she knows you’ve had a miserable day before you even say anything. She hugs you tight and lets you tell her all about it. By dinner she has somehow managed to make you forget it was the worst day ever in the history of days.

You’re in your room with the door closed, but she’s knocking on it. Can’t she see you don’t want to talk? Doesn’t she get that door closed means “leave me alone?” you’re not in third grade anymore. Maybe she used to be able to make it all better with a hug, but this isn’t something that gets better with a hug and a cookie. She wouldn’t understand anyway.

“Go away!” you scream. “I just want to be alone.”

She stops knocking and you hear her footsteps retreat down the hall. “Thank God!” you think as you cry out your heartache into your pillow. You don’t know that she is in her room, crying her heartache out into her pillow.

You’re not sure why you’re so mad at her one day, then curling into her lap to watch T.V. with her the next. It’s like sometimes looking at that face that used to make everything feel right just reminds you of everything that’s wrong. It feels like that more and more.

But some days, you don’t know why, you see her face and her eyes look like they could melt you like sugar in the rain. And on those days, you want nothing more than to have her hug you and stroke your hair and tell you it will be okay. And some days you let her.

She’s bringing another box up the stairs and so help you, if she cries one more tear you’re going to lock her out! You see her biting her lip and sucking in a breath. She’s fighting back tears. Good! This is supposed to be a happy day. You’ve earned your freedom. You’re taking your first big step to independence. Doesn’t she want you to be independent? Isn’t that a good thing? Why is she crying all the time? Probably hormones. “Shoot me if I’m ever a mess like that,” you think.

You’re holding your diploma in your hand and posing for pictures with your friends. She’s snapping the camera and smiling a lot. You can see in her eyes that she’s proud of you. Knowing she’s proud and happy for you makes you feel warm inside. You wouldn’t admit it to anybody, but you’re glad she’s proud. She’s not blubbering today like the day she dropped you off on campus the first time, but you see her mist up a few times. You notice a few more grey hairs at her temples. Are there more lines around her eyes than the last time you saw her? She comes over and hugs you and you let her. You even hug her back, real tight.

It’s so hot outside the pavement feels like black lava licking right up through your shoes. Your husband holds your hand (too tight for your liking) as you waddle through the doors of the hospital to check in.

“Did you call my mom?” you ask.

“Yeah. She’s on her way.”

Your pain feels a bit less biting when you see her head poke into the room. In that moment, you can’t imagine why you ever pushed her away. Even the man you adore with all your heart can’t take her place today. She puts her warm, soft hand on your forehead and you feel an immediate calm come over you.

“You can do this,” she says. She smiles down at you and you look up into her twinkling eyes. There’s something there – almost a memory. You look in her eyes and you believe her. “I can do this,” you say.

It’s the middle of the night. Everyone’s gone now. It’s just you and your little one. She lays in your arms sleeping. So small. So fragile.

She’s got her tiny fingers wrapped around your pinkie in a grip that feels too strong for such a tiny creature. You look down at the angelic face cradled in your arms and even though you just met her, you love her more than you knew you could love. It’s a love so powerful and so deep that it hurts.

And you know that someday you’re going to cry like an idiot when you’re moving boxes to her new place. You see it all like a movie going fast motion in your head. You’ll want to wail and hold onto her but you know you won’t. You’ll let her go, just like your mama let you go. And you know in that instant it will hurt more than any hurt you’ve ever known.

You take back what you’d said. When the tears fall, you don’t want anyone to shoot you for it. You’re a mother now. Tears come naturally.

~          ~         ~

Don't forget to enter my May Giveaway - signed book, swag AND an Amazon giftcard! You can enter the Rafflecopter at the top right of this page or hit this link.

Summer Teen Reading Party with Emerald Barnes & A Giveaway!

Happy Friday! Please welcome my guest, Emerald Barnes, to this Friday edition of the Summer Teen Reading Party. Emerald is the author of Read me Dead - a fascinating title that makes me want to find out what it's all about! Recently I had a chance to chat with Emerald and this is what she had to say.


NATALIE WRIGHT (NW): Do you have any news to share about your work?


EMERALD BARNES (EB): I recently published a new YA Romantic Suspense, Read Me Dead, at the end of April, and I’m working on a new YA series and a women’s fiction novel.


NW: What books have you written so far?

EB: I’ve written a novella, Piercing Through the Darkness, and a full-length novel, Read Me Dead.

NW: What was the inspiration for your book?

EB: The inspiration for Piercing Through the Darkness was one of my first short stories I’d ever written.  I had this vision of a young woman running from someone who wanted to kill her for a crime she believed she didn’t commit.

Read Me Dead was based on a dream I had about a young girl telling a secret, a secret that could get her killed.

NW: What is your favorite scene from your book and why?

EB: There are so many of my favorites to choose from.  But in Read Me Dead, I have to say, I believe that it was when Alexia, my main character, finally tells her best friends her secret.  The secret she’s kept for seven years, that she knew who killed her parents.

NW: What genre do you write in?

EB: I generally write in the YA genre, but I’m branching out to women’s fiction.  Also, I’m working on a YA paranormal series when I usually write suspense.

NW: Which book do you wish you had written?

EB: The Hunger Games Trilogy!  It is simply brilliant!

NW: If you walked through a portal to dimension without books, what three books do you want to take with you?

EB: Oh man.  That’s such a tough question!  Hunger Games, To Kill a Mockingbird, and any of the new Doctor Who books.

NW: Describe your perfect Saturday.

EB: Spending the day with my nieces and nephew and somehow managing to find some time to relax.

NW: What do you hope readers will take with them from your writing?

EB: I just want them to be transported to another life and live vicariously through my characters.  That’s always been my goal in writing.

Goodreads Summary of Read Me Dead:

Alexia Wheaton’s problems go beyond picking a dress and a date for homecoming.

For seven years, Alex has lived with a painful memory - her parents' horrific murder. As the sole witness, she has kept quiet to protect herself, but when the local newspaper reveals her secret, Alex is plagued with fear that her parents' murderer will soon find her - and silence her forever.

Alex is catapulted into a race against time to save her own life and bring her parents' murderer to justice.

Emerald Barnes, Author

 You can Purchase Emerald's Books here:

Piercing Through the Darkness: http://www.amazon.com/Piercing-Through-the-Darkness-ebook/dp/B004P1IYLW/

Read Me Dead: http://www.amazon.com/Read-Me-Dead-ebook/dp/B007WMQK3A/

And you Can Connect with Emerald Here:

Website: http://www.emeraldbarnes.us

Blog: http://ebarnes23.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fanpageforemeraldbarnes

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/emeraldbarnes

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/emerald_barnes

Google + : https://plus.google.com/101744242812023382698/posts

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Barnes/e/B004PL38QS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Piercing Through the Darkness is currently priced at 99cents for the duration of May as a special promotion for the Summer Teen Reading Party!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Summer Teen Reading Party with Kate Fuentes

The Summer Teen Reading Party continues! Today I welcome author Kate Fuentes to the party. Kate is the author of the Elements series. I've read Elements: The Beginning and highly recommend it. It's a fun read that combines elements of magic, fantasy and mythology - what's not to like :-D

Greetings! Thank you for allowing me to be a guest on your site today Natalie! I’m looking forward to having a tremendous time sharing posts and having “Giveaways” on various blogs with the Summer Teen Reading Party event! There will be amazing book titles and fabulous interviews with authors from all genres participating! Be sure to stop by and check it out!

When I look back to when I had less wrinkles and a smaller backside, I remember the excitement of summer! To be free from the confines of school and ready to make memories with my friends over the summer break, but I also recall having time to relax and read a good book. Whether it was on a vacation we had taken to the beach or a lazy afternoon in the backyard, I found the time to sit and experience the fantasy realms of some of my favorite stories. I’m a BIG fan of Greek Mythology and the legendary heroes of yesteryear.  I believe this type of ‘epic adventure’ writing help mold my own form of literary style and created a vast foundation of imagination outlets to pull from when I’m constructing my young adult series ELEMENTS.  I have written and published two books in the series thus far and plan to release the third in the series just before summer begins in 2012.

The ELEMENTS novels follow the lives of fraternal twin brothers Gage and Talon Thorn. They were born from an ancient prophecy and have the extraordinary elemental abilities of fire and water. A wicked underworld emperor is determined to destroy the ‘Brothers of Prophecy’ and claim the earth realm for his own if the brothers don’t learn how to control their gifts and save humanity from the clutches of evil. The twins must experience tragedy, loss and defeat before they try to push forward and live up to what destiny has asked of them. The challenge has been set forth by dark forces and the world must put their faith in a pair of young brothers. The future is uncertain.

To find out more about the ELEMENTS series please visit Kate Fuentes webpage for more details. To order any of these books, click this link.

Elements: The Beginning, Book One

                                 AMAZON  BARNES&NOBLE  GOODREADS  SMASHWORDS

Elements: Veil of Darkness, Book Two  

                               AMAZON  BARNES&NOBLE  GOODREADS  SMASHWORDS

And Click this Link to Check out Kate's Soon to Be Released Title:

Elements: Kingdom of Aqueous, Bk 3

I’m also quite excited to include a Giveaway for your readers today! One reader can win an ebook copy of my first book, ELEMENTS: The Beginning, FREE!   Answer a question, ‘like’ the Elements Facebook page and follow me on Twitter to begin earning points! A random winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter! Good Luck!

Also, check back throughout the month of May on the Summer Reading Party site and see if you could win ALL three books!

Thank you for having me as a guest on your blog! I really appreciate having the opportunity to speak with your readers!

Warm Regards,

Kate

To contact the author, Kate Fuentes, visit the following social media sites:

Kate Fuentes , Twitter , Sired Scribblings , Facebook , Pinterest

Kate Fuentes

Author Bio: Kate Fuentes

My name is Kate Fuentes, author of a young adult fantasy series called Elements. I modeled the characters after my two sons and created the fantasy realm as a story to read to my children at night. I'm fascinated at the enormity of endless imagination that we humans are capable of having, and enjoy being able to write fiction for others to appreciate as well.

My series includes: Book one, Elements: The Beginning, Book two, Elements: Veil of Darkness, and soon to be released in the summer of 2012, Book three, Elements: Kingdom of Aqueous. I plan to continue the installments and have not decided how many books will complete the series. I, like so many of my author counterparts, aspire to create more books and characters for my readers to enjoy. I have two projects currently in the beginning phases of conception and will release details in the fall of 2012 on my webpage KateFuentes.com

I attended college in Arizona and transferred to California where I finished my studies in business marketing and advertising while progressively composing short stories in the foreground. Research and development is one of my favorite aspects of writing along with the actual creation of the story from imagination to the novel itself.

I am quite passionate about writing but also enjoy helping those that are underprivileged, forgotten, and oppressed by working in a global reach department during the week in the hopes that I may bring attention to the causes which will, in effect, inspire others to volunteer or champion for those less fortunate both locally and around the world.

On a personal note, I am happily married to my junior high sweetheart and we have two glorious children. We appreciate our time spent with one another and always make sure we set aside a day for family fun night.


a Rafflecopter giveawayhttp://katefuentes.com/orders_275.html

Manic Monday: What's Up with H.A.L.F.? And other News

Book written? Check. Cover created? Check. Publication date set? Ummm, no.

When I released Emily's House in November, 2011, I promised readers the first book of a new series to be released in May, 2012. It's May. But I will not be releasing H.A.L.F. this month.

What's up? Here's the scoop. With the encouragement of my beta readers, I have decided to query agents and publishers with H.A.L.F. For those of you that don't know the story, I did not attempt to get an agent or publisher for Emily's House - I went straight to self-publication.

And I think it was the right choice for that book at the right time. I'm very pleased with sales and feedback on that book.

The wonderful thing about the current state of affairs of the publishing world is that writers have more choices than ever. So for each book, the writer must decide the path for that book.

My beta readers believe that H.A.L.F. will appeal to agents and editors.

I agree with them.

I am so excited about H.A.L.F. and on the one hand want to just upload it and get it into the hands of readers. But on the other hand, I would like to work with an editorial team at a publishing house to polish further AND have a publisher's assistance in getting the work into the hands of more readers.

I will start the querying process this summer and I'll keep you posted. Wish me luck!

"Holy cow, this is exactly the manuscript she's been looking for," said the agent's cat.

In other news, the Summer Teen Reading Party continues and I've been writing guest posts and answering interviews like a banshee! There are some great prizes, such as Amazon gift cards, signed books, e-books and swag being offered by the authors participating in the month-long event. So if you haven't checked it out yet, hop on over to the home page for the STRP and check it out. 

And don't forget to enter my May Giveaway. Now go hoppity hop and have fun!

Summer Teen Reading Party with H.M. Prévost & A Giveaway!!

Author, H.M. Prévost

Our Teen Summer Reading Party continues and today, welcome to my guest H.M. Prévost. H.M. is the author of an unforgettable book, Desert Fire. And H.M. is going to give away an e-book to one lucky reader! The giveaway is easy to enter - just leave your comment to this post below and one commenter will be chosen at random to win a PDF, Kindle or e-pub copy.

NATALIE WRIGHT (NW): What books have you written so far?

H.M. Prévost (HMP): I have written a YA thriller, Desert Fire . I recently completed the sequel, and I’m waiting to hear back from the publisher. I also have a book that I am shopping around right now, a YA urban fantasy called Bonded.

NW: What was the inspiration for your book?

HMP: I read tons of thrillers for teens, but I had never seen one with a Canadian character as the MC. And since I was living in the United Arab Emirates at the time, that provided me with the perfect setting for international intrigue.

NW: What genre do you write in?

HMP: I write thrillers, fantasy, urban fantasy, and I am attempting paranormal romance. I guess you could say that I get bored easily, so I like to try different genres to I can keep exploring and learning as I write. Each genre has its special challenges and rewards. I discovered that world-building in a fantasy novel is exceptionally difficult, and I will probably never try it again!

NW:What works in progress do you have?

HMP: I am 20,000 words into an urban fantasy called Demon in Me, about a 15-year-old boy from a family of criminals who decides to be good, no matter what. . . until he is possessed by a demon.

I am also writing a paranormal romance called Whisperings, and that is something quite challenging because I have to explore relationships between the characters in a completely different way. It is easier for me to write a fight scene than a scene where two people have to kiss!

NW: I can relate to that! Writing romance and intimacy isn't as easy as it may look. Which book do you wish you had written?

HMP: The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman. He’s brilliant. The story is captivating, and you are completely immersed in this dark world that he has created. You empathize with the main character, and eagerly follow her on her journey. Pullman has a way of creating a sense of mystery, wonder and suspense.

ABOUT DESERT FIRE:

Nick stared at the mini-CD. It gleamed under the streetlights. Only the dying American pilot could have slipped it into his pocket. . . .
After running to the scene of a plane crash in Abu Dhabi, Nick Chevalier stumbles across classified military secrets. And an unknown terrorist will stop at nothing to get them. As Nick investigates the cover-up behind the downed plane, he crosses paths with an agent from a covert espionage agency and makes the leap from high school senior to teen spy. But he realizes too late that he put more than his own life at risk—his mother and sister are also in danger. Does he have what it takes to outwit a terrorist who wants him dead and save the two people he loves?


AUTHOR BIO:


H.M. Prévost is a writer, photographer, teacher and avid reader of YA fiction. Thrillers, fantasy and paranormal romances (that’s right, pretty much anything with a vampire in it!) are her favorite genres. She also loves to paint and has covered her house with murals. For many years, she worked abroad in the United Arab Emirates, which provided an exotic setting for her debut YA thriller, Desert Fire. She lives in Québec with her husband, two rambunctious daughters, and Ginger the cat.


Connect with the author:

Website: www.hmprevost.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Desert-Fire-ebook/dp/B0062UNUG8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334705437&sr=8-1

MuseItUp Publishing: http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=254&category_id=53&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Summer Teen Reading Party with Rebecca Ryals Russell

The Teen Reading Party continues! Welcome to my guest today, Rebecca Ryals Russell, fabulous author of the Seraphym Wars Series. Check it out:

Rebecca Ryals Russell

Looking for Adventure, Romance, Paranormal mysteries in a Steampunk world filled with dragon-demons? The Seraphym Wars Series is what you need.

Beginning with the Prequel: Prophecy, discover the origins of the Prophecy and who is protecting it throughout the millennia until the seven holy children, the Vigorios, are called into service.

In Odessa, Book One, follow Myrna Ashlin Watts as she discovers who she is and why she was transported from Earth to Dracwald one night following the horrific murder of her beloved brother by three teens with red eyes. Fall in love with young orphaned Tien Nadia Sadayo who can speak with animals and understand them in return. Or be amazed by Brigid Saulwen Heulog’s ability to create weather on call as she rescues the Vigorios from one hazard after another. Or maybe you’ll fall in love with handsome, copper-haired mystery-man, Michael Clancy Branson, as he mentors Myrna while hiding a secret that would destroy their mission. Perhaps you lean more toward the shaggy, quiet Liam Fintanahuel Reilly who disappears on full moons but won’t tell anyone why. If not, then muscular, dark-skinned Conall Sean Wyman might pull your strings as he battles dragons determined to extract retribution for the murder of his family. Or lastly, there’s seductive & secretive Bartholomew who sets Myrna’s pulse racing whenever their paths cross.

Whichever character you fancy, you’ll love following their journey through the monster-infested forests, swamps, seas and savannahs as they struggle to survive while figuring out where they are headed and why. But Narciss, Ruler of Tartarus, home of condemned souls, has other plans for these teens and sends his three main henchmen, his Nefars, to locate them and kill them after learning their secrets. However, the Nefars each have their own agendas and quickly learn to watch their own backs in this dragon-eat-dragon world of Dracwald.

The remaining three Vigorios appear in Harpies, Book Two. Griffen Oisin Gilmore finds himself on a deserted beach far from his Outer Banks, SC home on Earth where he lives with his single mother, after being struck by lightning the night before. Led by a talkative little bird he begins a quest to locate two more teens he’s never seen before and lead them safely to an island he sees only in visions. Along the way angry, red-haired fire-bug Seth Tanguy Vritra joins the team followed by sad empathathic, Mercy Neave Hubert, who left home to live on the streets after her mother abandoned her. Together they journey down the Longslo River with a Burrowing Elf who is driven to join their quest. After hiring a strange boatman to guide them down the river Mercy begins seeing a muscular brown dragon following them. And soon the adventure turns dangerous until the group is focused more on survival than finishing their journey.

Load your Kindle with these books available on Amazon from Rebecca Ryals Russell:

All of the Seraphym Wars Series books are available as eBooks in any format by following these links. Odessa is also available in print.

Here are the links and topics detailing where I’ll be all month. Check them out and win PRIZES.

Seraphym Wars Series Summary May 2

Seraphym Wars and Stardust Warriors Series Blurbs May 10

Who are the Vigorios? May 4

The Prophecy of the Vigorios May 7

EXCERPTS AVAILABLE TO READ:

Harpies Chapter One May 12

Harpies Chapter Two May 15

Harpies  Chapter Three May 16

Prophecy Chapter One May 23

Prophecy Chapter Two May 25

Prophecy Chapter Three May 28

Odessa Chapter One May 29

Odessa Chapter Two May 30

Odessa Chapter Three May 31

GIVEAWAY:

Comment on EACH of my postings (listed above with links) showing you read the posting. Commenters will acquire ONE point per comment. At the end, fill out the form on my blog, Under the Hat.

The prize? This lovely Phoenix medallion and a bag of swag including Odessa notepad, Seraphym Wars pen, Mind the Signs bookmark, coverart Postcards for each book in both series AND an eBook copy of my newest release: Harpies, Book Two Seraphym Wars Series.

Catch Rebecca at any of these links:

Under the Hat

Tween Word Quest

Teen Word Factory

Odessa

Prophecy

Harpies

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

GOOGLE 

GOODREADS 

LINKED-IN

JACKET FLAP

TRIBERR

YOUTUBE

Amazon http://tinyurl.com/rebeccaryalsrussell-amazon  

Barnes and Noble  http://tinyurl.com/rebeccaryalsrussell-B-N 

iTunes  http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/odessa/id433118705?mt=11

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/zarena/id460312541?mt=11

BIO:

Rebecca Ryals Russell writes MG and YA Dark Fantasy while living with her family in a Victorian house on five acres of North Florida countryside. She also runs a Vacation Rental Log House on the property: Florida Black Bear Cabin.

She is a fourth generation Floridian having lived all over the state. The daughter of an Elementary-school principal and school secretary, she always knew she was bound for the classroom and for fourteen years she taught Middle Grades, preferring English and Creative Writing. She had several students’ works published in anthologies as well as her own poetry, photography and stories.

Her main interests are her four teenaged and young adult children and Irish hubby of many years. She enjoys spending her time writing, drawing, going to movies, reading, discussing philosophy and politics with her college-aged son.

Be sure to check out the special interactive Middle Grade Reader website Tween Word Quest for tons of information about Stardust Warriors as well as the other projects Rebecca has in the works and Under the Hat for all of her other works.