Enza Blog Tour ~ Who Art Thou Thursday: Kristy K. James

Blog Hop, Weekly Schedule, Who Art Thou Thursdays 7 Responses »

May 032012

The Enza Blog Tour is winding down, but not before Kristy K. James agreed to do an interview with me. Woot!

Reena Jacobs: Congratulations on your new release, Enza. Please tell us a little about it.

Kristy K. James: Thanks, Reena! And thank you for your generosity in helping me get the word out about Enza.

Enza is a story that is told from the perspective of five characters. The first part of the book is getting to know them, and everyone in their lives. The second part deals with their reactions when an influenza pandemic makes its way to their town.

RJ: Sounds devastating. How did you come up with the title?

KKJ: The idea for the story came about because of a documentary I watched on PBS. It told about the 1918 influenza pandemic, a horrible tragedy in world history. At different times throughout the program you could hear little girls chanting this poem:

I had a little bird, its name was Enza. I opened the window, and in-flew-Enza.

The more I learned, the more I realized that I had to write a story about this. And Enza was the obvious choice for a title.

RJ: That’s a beautifully tragic poem. I definitely appreciate the title more now. I love the hopefulness of the cover. Share with us the inspiration behind it.

KKJ: The title came about because of the poem. So I suppose it could be considered a little deceptive, not that I intended it to come across that way. I just kind of wanted it to be simple, yet dramatic.

RJ: It is. Cruising through your works, I noticed your stories tend to focus on family and mending. I rather like the themes. Will you tell us a bit about your writing style and how you’d describe your genre?

KKJ: Oh, this is a tough question. Someone else mentioned my writing style, and it threw me a little bit. As far as I knew, I didn’t know that I one. I was very honored when they compared Enza to the works of Mark Twain and Laura Ingalls Wilder. So, at least for this book, whatever style they had would work. As for the rest, I don’t really know. I just write the stories that need to be told.

Genre? Hmm. So far most of my stories would be considered romance. Enza is more historical/literary fiction. But I hope to branch out and begin writing a young adult/fantasy series sometime in the next year or so. People have called me eclectic for a long time. I guess that’s reflected in my writing life.

RJ: How much of you/your life do you put into your stories?

KKJ: I think all writers put part of their lives into their stories. We can research forever, but I think we still fall back to using some of the things we know. For instance in A Fine Mess, Ian doesn’t like pasta salad. Neither do I. And Annie has an awful fear of flying. She got that from me. In Enza, the outhouse scene with Marcus is based on a story my grandpa told me. We all have a rich storehouse of feelings, ideas and history, and sometimes those things can enrich our stories.

RJ: I know exactly what you mean. Which of your characters do you relate to most?

KKJ: Another tough one. I think I tend to relate to the characters who try to solve problems the most. Thinking about that list, I’m a little dismayed to realize that those would mostly be the male characters in my stories. It’s not that I don’t write fairly strong female characters, I think it’s mostly that I’ve never outgrown the whole ‘knight in shining armor’ mentality. I was a die-hard romantic from the the moment I discovered paper dolls and Barbies.

RJ: In a strange way, I get that… taking some of my best qualities and instilling them into a fantasy dream man. With hindsight being 20/20, is there anything you would have changed with your publishing journey?

KKJ: I wouldn’t have waited so long to look into indie publishing. A few people have noticed that I have four that were released around the same time. But they were written several years ago…and just collected dust because I was too busy being a mom to invest much time in courting agents and publishing houses. I could have had a five year head start if I’d listened to some timely advice. On the other hand, I tend to believe that things happen the way they do for a reason.

RJ: Do you have any advice for other writers?

My best advice for other writers is to read a lot. If you read enough good books, you’ll learn how to write well. Also, I know a lot of authors say they are ‘pansters,’ meaning they just sit down and write. I’m a firm believer in outlining, plotting and planning.

But the most important thing I think any writer can do is to develop very well-rounded characters, and then spend enough time getting to know them. I can always tell when I’ve skimped on that part of a story because the words just refuse to flow. When I spend adequate time imagining my characters in various situations, after writing detailed profiles on them, sometimes it feels like they hijack the story. When that happens, it’s magic happens.

RJ: Anything special you’d like to say to readers?

KKJ: Never give up. If writing is in your blood, if it’s something you’ve always dreamed of doing, keep writing. Keep reading and learning.

RJ: What are you working on now?

KKJ: I am getting the second book in my Coach’s Boys series ready for a May 30, 2012 release date. And I have two WIP’s that are each about a third of the way finished. One is the third in the series. The other is a tribute to the knight in shining armor dreams of my inner teenager. The plan is to have all three finished by the end of the year. Whether that actually happens is another story.

RJ: May is already here! How exciting. I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming release.

Order Your Copy of Enza: Amazon

About the Author

She is the author of Reluctant Guardian, A Fine Mess, and The Stranger in my Head, with the fact-based fiction novel, Enza, to be released later this year.

Kristy currently lives in Michigan with her two children, too many pets and a husband who gives her the freedom to write to her hearts content. She spends her time living in her make-believe worlds, cooking and baking up a storm, and doing her best to learn to say ‘no’ when stray animals wander into her large country yard.

Find Kristy K. James Online!

Blog: http://kristykjames.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristyKJames
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/kristykjames

Giveaway Time!

Giveaways for each blog on the tour will include 1 paperback and 3 digital copies of Enza. All comments from the tour will be entered into a drawing for ten-$10.00 and two-$25.00 Amazon gift certificates.

To enter here, simply leave a comment with your email. And of course, you’re encouraged to participate in the interview. Surprise Ms. James with a question. Giveaway ends May 9, 2012.

Miss a Stop on the Tour?

Participants in the blog tour for Enza are:

Monday, April 23rd: Patricia @ Live and Dream a Little Dream
Tuesday, April 24th: Andi @ Radiant Light
Wednesday, April 25th: Heather @ It’s All About Me
Wednesday, April 25: Debra @ Sparks in the Fire…
Thursday, April 26th: Lisa @ Seeking With All Yur Heart
Thursday, April 26th: Shannon @ Cocktails and Books
Friday, April 27th: Paula @ The Phantom Paragrapher
Saturday, April 28th: Kathleen @ The Celtic Lady’s Reviews
Saturday, April 28th: Elizabeth @ Silver’s Reviews
Sunday, April 29th: Molly @ Reviews by Molly
Monday, April 30th: Hayley @ Hanging Off The Wire
Tuesday, May 1st: Tracy @ Booked Up
Wednesday, May 2nd Donna @ My Life. One Story at a Time
Thursday, May 3rd: Ruth @ My Devotional Thoughts
Thursday, May 3rd: Reena Jacobs, Ramblings of an Amateur Writer
Friday, May 4th: JakiCheli

Talisman of El Blog Tour

Interviews, Weekly Schedule, Who Art Thou Thursdays 4 Responses »

Apr 192012

If you’ve been following the Talisman of El blog tour, welcome and I hope you’ve been enjoying yourself. If the Talisman of El is new to you, also welcome, I’m happy to introduce you to a new author–Alecia Stone! Today she’s here to do an interview with us, so here’s your chance to learn a bit about her and her works.

Reena Jacobs: I read the blurb. I cruised your blog. I watched the trailer. Wow! There’s so much happening in Talisman of El, I want to start everywhere. Please tell the readers a little about your book first, cause I’m anxious to ask some questions.

Alecia Stone: First, I’d like to thank Reena for having me today. My debut novel, Talisman Of El, is a story about 14-year-old Charlie Blake who discovers a shocking truth about himself and the world he lives in, which turns his life upside down – literally. Charlie has never quite been able to fit in anywhere, but when he moves to a new town, he encounters a world he knew nothing about but is so much a part of. Talisman Of El is a story about acceptance, identity, and the battle of good vs. evil.

RJ: Without giving too much away, will you give us some insight into the idea of one planet, two worlds?

AS: Well, I’ve always been fascinated with the supernatural world, so anything strange that occurred which couldn’t be explained, I’d put it down to the world of the unseen. From the moment I realised Charlie wasn’t your average kid, I knew there would have to be an explanation for what was happening to him and why – an explanation that was beyond the ordinary. For some unknown reason, I started thinking about people who had vanished without a trace, like Amelia Earhart, for instance. Then I came across this article about a farmer who vanished into thin air in front of his two kids. So, I thought to myself, they had to have disappeared to somewhere. And there you have it. One planet, two worlds.

RJ: Oh! I like that. Your bio talks about your experience in film and television. Did you have any involvement in putting together the trailer?

AS: Yes, I had about fifty percent involvement in putting the trailer together. I have a degree in Film and Television, so the skills I acquired on my course came in very handy.

RJ: Pretty cool to be able to put your skills to work in a different field. Totally random question. Your website mentioned you’re reading the Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins next. I also noticed you have the Time Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger as recommended reading. Does watching the movie get you interested in reading a book or is it the other way around? And why?

AS: I finished The Hunger Games series, by the way. I’m a huge film fanatic (having a degree on the subject should be a clear indication) but I must say that watching a movie adaptation does not get me interested in reading a book. I tend not to read a book if I’ve watched the movie as I already know what to expect so it kills the suspense.

RJ: I totally know what you mean. I’m the same way. I purchased the Time Traveler’s Wife after watching the movie, yet I haven’t even cracked it. haha So, what are you working on now?

AS: Right now, I’m working on the sequel to Talisman Of El.

RJ: Definitely something to look forward to. Do you have any advice for other writers?

AS: For any writer coming into this industry, I would say you need to develop a thick skin. Believe in yourself and in your work. Right now, you are your biggest fan, so love what you’re doing. Also, just have fun.

RJ: Anything special you’d like to say to readers?

AS: Yes. Thanks to everyone who has shown interest in my debut novel. Thanks for your support and for reviewing my book. And thanks to everyone who pre-ordered a copy of my book. I hope you all enjoy the journey as much as I have.

RJ: Thanks a bundle for stopping by and sharing with us, Alecia. We wish you the best!

About Alecia Stone

Alecia Stone has been in love with anything and everything paranormal for many years. She graduated with a BA in Film & TV and has worked in television for a short period of time before branching out into storytelling. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys going to the movies, listening to music, and travelling. Talisman Of El is her first novel. She currently lives in England, UK.

Find Alecia Stone online!

Website || Official Book Website || Facebook || Twitter || Amazon || Barnes & Noble

WHAT IF YOUR WHOLE LIFE WAS A LIE?

One Planet.

Two Worlds.

Population: Human … 7 billion.
Others … unknown.

When 14-year-old Charlie Blake wakes up sweating and gasping for air in the middle of the night, he knows it is happening again. This time he witnesses a brutal murder. He’s afraid to tell anyone. No one would believe him … because it was a dream. Just like the one he had four years ago – the day before his dad died.

Charlie doesn’t know why this is happening. He would give anything to have an ordinary life. The problem: he doesn’t belong in the world he knows as home.

He belongs with the others.

Available at Barnes & Nobles || The Book Depository

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*A comment here also enters you into the Mid-Month Commentator giveaway!

No Remorse Blog Tour: Who Art Thou Thursday? MaryLynn Bast

Blog Hop, Interviews, Weekly Schedule, Who Art Thou Thursdays 15 Responses »

Apr 122012

Today we wrap up our week with MaryLynn Bast with an interview. YAY! If you have more questions for her, sneak a few in the comments.

Reena Jacobs: Congratulations on your debut release, MaryLynn. Tell us a little about No Remorse.

MaryLynn Bast: No Remorse is a novel with a different take on werewolves. Yes, there are some similarities at other stories, but not exactly like other stories. Where most seem to center around a male werewolf, No Remorse focuses on Amber, a female werewolf, who has special abilities never possessed by another. She is ripped from her mother’s side at a young age and is forced to defend herself while always on the run. Isaac, the werewolves Council Leader hunts for Amber. He wants to find the source of her special abilities so he can use them for his own. Amber meets Blake when she is eighteen but does not want to put him in danger, so she leaves and lives her life on the run. One day she comes across and wreck and finds Blake inside, on the brink of death. She knows if she helps she will be pulled into his life, but she couldn’t allow him to die. Now, finding herself in the middle of a pack she must decide if she will stick around and deal with the drama when one of the packs cub is kidnapped. Will her abilities be enough to keep Blake and his pack safe when Isaac suddenly appears? Is she willing to put Blake’s life in danger to know what she has secretly longed for, family and friends?

RJ: On your website you talk about the origin of werewolves. Will you share a few interesting tidbits about the werewolves in your novel and where they come from?

MB: Throughout No Remorse I do take the reader into the past to understand why Amber does some of the things she does to survive without guidance. There are interesting tidbits that explain how the werewolves in my world can be bonded and what happens when a werewolf bites a human.

RJ: Sounds like folks are going to have to dig into the book for the juicy deets. It looks like you have quite a bit lined up for the Heart of a Wolf series. Where did get the inspiration for your stories?

MB: I have always loved wolves and reading shapeshifter stories, but never considered writing one until my friend and fellow author Elizabeth Kolodziej suggested I write for a short story contest featuring wolves. Once I got into writing No Remorse, the ideas kept coming as I brought in characters.

RJ: Speaking of more ideas. What are you working on now?

MB: “A Justified Kill” has just been beta read and is being edited. This story features Amber before you meet her in No Remorse. As she remains on the run, she works in small roadside bars to make money along the way. While in the small backwoods town in Northern California, Amber makes her first change, and has to deal with the chaos that ensues.

“The Rescue” is a story of Marcello, a character from No Remorse. Marcello is a Special Forces Ops Agent who goes into Iraq to save a soldier being held hostage. There he finds that female werewolves are being experimented on to use against American Troops.

“One Bite To Passion” was just completed and is in the process of being beta read. I do not have a synopsis ready for this one yet because I literally just finished writing it last night, or should I say at 3:30am this morning. I wrote this because a publisher of erotica tales asked me to write it for his new line of paranormal romances that he is putting together.

I have a lot more works that are in process that I am working on a little bit at a time. But coming up next is “Softest Touch”, Book two of the Heart of a Wolf Series. This story once again features werewolves and others paranormal abilities. The main characters will meet with the characters of No Remorse to find the murders of a six year old boy’s parents. They find that there is a problem with children being abducted, sold and used for their special abilities.

RJ: Give us a brief description of a story you have hidden in your skeleton closet? And will it ever see the light of day?

MB: Growing up, I had to deal with an abusive stepfather. The way I dealt with that mentally was to read and write, to escape into my own world where I could hide away. Not too long ago, thinking on the situation, I sat down and wrote the beginnings of a story where the main character is a DA who was abused as a child and when the criminals skate on technicalities she finally quits. One day she comes across a man watching a little girl in a park. After doing her own investigations, she takes matters into her own hands and deals with him. This is a pretty dark tale that I will someday pull back out when I am in that frame of mind again and finish it.

RJ: I have a special place in my heart for stories that put me on emotional journeys. I wish you the best with that story. With hindsight being 20/20, is there anything you would have changed with your publishing journey?

MB: Yes, research is one of the things that I failed to do in the beginning and got myself into a bind. But with the help of my writers group, I made contacts with the right person and got out of the contract within a couple days, where I had heard it had taken years for others.

RJ: Do you have any advice for other writers?

MB: If you have a story to tell, then tell it. I have heard so many people say that wish they could write a book. Well, just do it. It doesn’t have to be perfect…that’s what beta readers and editors are for.

RJ: Anything special you’d like to say to readers?

MB: Without readers, writers would have no audience to hear the stories they must tell. Thank you for your support!

RJ: Thank you for spending the week with us!

About MaryLynn Bast

MaryLynn Bast is a Texas native who is currently living it up in Las Vegas. Bast writes paranormal fantasy romance because it allows her imagination to run rampant, permitting the characters of her stories to obtain abilities not possible in the real world, or is it? MaryLynn is married to Patrick, has three children, three step children and enjoys traveling the world.

Connect with MaryLynn Bast Online

FaceBook Page
FaceBook
Twitter
Website
Youtube
Amazon

Be sure to follow the entire tour (April 3 – May 4)! Lots of excerpts, interviews, tidbits, and prizes. Tour Dates

*A comment here also enters you into the Mid-Month Commentator giveaway!

Still a few days to enter the Goodreads giveaway for No Remorse

MaryLynn Bast is offering print two copies of her book through a Goodreads giveaway. So head over, add No Remorse to your reading list, and enter the giveaway!

Who Art Thou Thursday? Tristram La Roche + Giveaway

Giveaway, Weekly Schedule, Who Art Thou Thursdays 13 Responses »

Apr 052012

As some may know, last year I entered the realm of M/M erotica/romance. It was an up and down time for me. Finally, I found Tristram La Roche. Today he’s here to share a bit about himself with us.

Reena Jacobs: Okay, I admit to being sexist. When I found out you were a man, I was totally intrigued. I thought, here’s my chance to get inside the male mind. I have to say, I’m glad we made a connection, cause I really enjoyed your book, Lorenzo il Magnifico. I’ve got On My Knees lined up next.

Tristram La Roche: Well, I’m glad you enjoyed it because writing it was a great pleasure. I love Florence, I know it well, and I can tell you I did know a Lorenzo there. And that’s as much as you get! On My Knees is quite different and is the first story I ever had published. It also happens to have been a huge success so I guess I got something right. I will be interested to know what you think.

RJ: Of course! I not so secretly love the idea of men on their knees. So it’s definitely got me intrigued. Share with us some of the advantages and disadvantages of being a man who writes romance.

TLR: As opposed to what, an elephant who writes romance? Surely people are people and we all fall in love? I don’t see how being male or female is inherently helpful or disadvantageous. Where this might lead is to the old nutshell; can women write about gay men and vice versa? All I can say on that is that being a gay man would seem to me to be an advantage for writing about gay men. And I can’t ever see me writing about lesbians, other than perhaps as incidental characters, nor do I write hetero romances – they simply do not interest me. Having said all of that, I think it’s also important to remember that my romances are perhaps ‘romances’, in that I avoid the sloppy, slushy and formulaic, and my books are free of girly men, too. I mean, if you know what’s going to happen and all you have are different names and places what’s the point of reading it, let alone writing it? I’d never stay awake to finish it.

RJ: I know what you mean. A lot of romances are “been there; done that.” It’s nice to find something fresh. Where do you get inspirations for your stories?

TLR: Real life. Either my own or of others. We are often so wrapped up in our lives that we don’t realise the astonishing things that happen all around us every single day. Writing is about observing and translating what we see into digestible material.

RJ: How much of you/your life do you put into your stories?

TLR: A great deal. What else does a writer have? And what a waste it would be to let some of the events I’ve experienced and the people I’ve known simply go to the grave with me.

RJ: Please tell us about your most recent publication.

TLR: I was kind of challenged to write an historical, so I did. I’m one of those types that rarely turns down a challenge. It’s called The Hun and The General and is about how the love Attila the Hun has for a roman general sways the course of history. Being set in ancient times you need to really forget your 21st century sensiblities. People then had different values. They were, to us, cruel and barbaric, as well highly cultured. I tried to incorporate all of this and at the same time show a softer side to the infamous barbarian without changing his overall character. I think, from the reviews I’ve had so far, I might have succeeded.

RJ: Love the color scheme for The Hun and the General! What are you working on now?

TLR: A very naughty story about a monastery and its inhabitants. They have such bad habits.

RJ: Give us a brief description of a story you have hidden in your skeleton closet? And will it ever see the light of day?

TLR: Honestly, Reena, I don’t have one. I’m prepared to show anything I write.

RJ: I hope you’re listening, readers! My buddy is holding nothing back from you. Do you have any advice for other writers?

TLR: Learn to accept criticism with good grace. No matter how much you write, how much you have published, how much you sell – you will always have something to learn. Be prepared to work hard and to get over set backs. Never give up.

RJ: Anything special you’d like to say to readers?

TLR: I believe reading books is a way of learning. It can be as little as learning a new word, or as much as a great big realisation that changes your life. I hope there is something, however small, you can take away from my stories. That gives me satisfaction.

RJ: Thanks a bundle for sharing with us, Tristram!
TLR: My pleasure. Any time.

Connect with Tristram La Roche

Giveaway!!!

I love giveaways! And lucky us, Tristram has offered a copy of On My Knees to one lucky commentator!
Giveaway ends April 12, 2012. Refer to giveaway policy for nitty gritty.

*A comment here also enters you into the Mid-Month Commentator giveaway!