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Author Interview: Ashley Townsend

6/30/2014

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Meet Ashley Townsend, Author of Chasing Shadows
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BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

AT:
Writing was the only thing I wanted to do when I grew up—besides being a veterinarian-ninja, of course. I adored reading as a kid because it entertained me and storytelling because it brought joy to others, so finding a career that fed into my addiction to words was a win-win for me. And then when my little sister Katie was diagnosed with leukemia when we were kids, the characters I wrote for her became my way of showing her that regular people always triumph over their circumstances, even when the odds seem stacked against them. Being a writer was always something that I wanted to do, but when I realized how it could impact people, I knew it was something I had to do.

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BBB: How did you come up with the idea for Chasing Shadows?

AT:
You should know right now that I’m a Robin Hood geek. It was my favorite Disney movie as a kid, I love the BBC series, and I’m still obsessed with the legend. The idea for this trilogy was originally an eighth grade final for my creative writing class, bred from my fascination with time travel and the medieval era. And then years later I started watching the BBC series with Jonas Armstrong (be still my heart!) and just had to add an enigmatic vigilante into the mix. It just expanded from there into “Rising Shadows,” and as I was writing the story, I knew I couldn’t just leave it alone: I needed to know where these characters would go, how they would grow, I had to prove who killed the king, dive deeper into the time travel element. I’ve honestly never been as passionate about writing characters or a story as much as “Chasing Shadows,” and it gnawed incessantly at the back of my mind for months while I finished it. Gah! I just can’t wait to share it with you!
 

BBB: Tell us about your main character.

AT:
I adore Sarah Matthews. She is awkward and spunky, adventurous and caring, and so real that some days I wish I could just have a cup of coffee with her and pick her brain.  “Chasing Shadows” starts off with her preparing to leave for college, and I think her fear of the unknown and leaving her old life behind is very relatable. I actually learned a lot from her as she grew from a rash, sarcastic teen in “Rising Shadows” to the intelligent young woman she is in “Chasing Shadows.” She’s still rash and spunky and endearingly awkward, which is what I love about her, but even though she’s only been on this wild time traveling adventure for a few weeks, I feel like she’s lived eons longer and has discovered so much about herself and others. You will love to see her heart open up as she learns to love and loses love, and I hope you’ll cry and smile along with us.

And onto Will Taylor, because I know you’re all dying to know about our main hottie. Will is pretty much my fantasy: Tall, dark, handsome, an enigmatic blacksmith with a sad past, is enchanted by a normal girl, and also happens to be a secret vigilante known as the Shadow. I’ll take two! I just get so excited writing his and Sarah’s dynamic, because in so many ways they are exactly alike and then polar opposites other instances. They get frustrated with each other when she wants to be independent and he only wants to shield her from danger, but they always seem to sort it out in the end, and they communicate with and really understand each other, which is something that I believe is key to their relationship.    

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BBB: Do you ever get writer's block?

AT:
I would love to say “Who, me?” but I think we all know that’s not true! If you check out my blog, there are plenty of writer’s block rants and copious amounts of Pinterest procrastination days. Usually my worst blocks come from either taking too much time off from writing or pushing myself too hard. When I get stuck, I like to take a break and go to the beach or somewhere quiet with a view to clear my head; generally, the story follows me there with a new perspective in tow. Other times I like to just push through a scene, going backwards from the plot reveal to that moment and asking myself the significance of the scene. If it’s filler, then I’ll move on and come back later. It isn’t worth hating your work, which will happen if you force it. And snacks. Always snacks and coffee!
 
BBB: What are you currently working on?

AT:
I’ve never done this before, but for the final book in this series, I’ve plotted everything out on notecards, like entire scenes, motivations, incriminating letters, timelines, etc. It’s helped to keep my head clear and saved time so I can write other ideas, too! I have about 14 stories plotted out and ready to go, but there are two that I’m dying to get to once this series is finished. I’m really into the fairytale remakes right now, and I have a story set up that I want to do with Peter Pan in mind. Think Neverland meets Pirates of the Caribbean. And the other is about a Roman centurion and a Germanic woman set in ancient times, where she gets sent off to war against the Romans and ends up being taken captive, though she’s really the one who captivates the centurion in the end.  

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BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

AT:
I’m super spazzy and quirky, so brace yourselves! But if you’re brave enough, you can find me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest (check out my inspiration board for the series!), my website, become a fan on Goodreads, and also my author page on Ink-Smith.com. And don’t be afraid to shoot me an email. I love hearing from you guys and sharing my story! Thanks so much for reading, and keep being inspired to do what you love.
 
Email: ashleytownsend.author@yahoo.com
http://ashley-townsend.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5839773.Ashley_Townsend
http://www.pinterest.com/townsendideas/
https://twitter.com/TownsendQuips15
https://www.facebook.com/ashleytownsend.author
http://ink-smith.com/our-authors/ashley-townsend/
http://ink-smith.com/product/chasing-shadows/
 

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Author Interview: J. Alton Mast

6/26/2014

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Meet J. Alton Mast, Author of Daemon Theory
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J. Alton Mast was born in Chambersburg Pennsylvania and is a theatre student in Bethlehem Pennsylvania, Mast’s hometown. Mast is also a souvenir photographer at an amusement park during its commercial season. Mast played Dr. Halbrech in Northampton Community College’s production of Scotland Road in 2011, and principal role in a local theatre company’s production of Godspell in 2013. Mast enjoys performing in local theatre, artistry, and playing lacrosse for a community team. Mast competes in the National Novel Writing Month competition yearly, and won in 2012 forDaemon Theory. Mast comes from a large military family, with two older brothers holding the rank of Staff Sargent in the United States Air Force, and Corporal in the Army. (Ink Smith Publishing)

BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

JAM:
I've been writing since I was about 11. I started with poetry, short stories, and even fan fictions. None of them were any good, but I loved doing it nonetheless. When I was about 17 I thought 'Why am I writing about other people's stories?' It wasn't as though I didn't have any of my own ideas, so began writing books.


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BBB: How did you come with the idea for Daemon Theory?

JAM:
Daemon Theory started out as a comic book actually. It was still going to be a post-apocalyptic romp through a world post-rapture, but it definitely had a more 'Tank Girl/Mad Max' feel to it. It was a dark comedy for sure. All of the heroes were very snarky and quirky, and the villains were extremely over the top. However, when I stepped back and looked at the original draft, it needed a major overhaul and tonal shift.


BBB: Tell us about your main character, Maye Holloway.

JAM:
The story's protagonist is Maye Holloway, but the story largely centers around her pseudo-body guard, Alecko. So you could say they're both the main characters. Maye is very much a normal teenage girl (well as normal as you can be in the Daemon Theory Universe). She's a bit of a loner, overly-emotional, and tends to panic a lot when the situation doesn't call for it. Alecko, on the other hand, is a 500 year old Daemon trying to regain her humanity, but still can't seem to grasp the concept of right and wrong. But her dedication to keep Maye out of harm outweighs her Daemonic nature.

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BBB: Do you ever get writer's block?

JAM:
Just about every time I sit down in front of my computer.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

JAM:
Well I'm working on the sequel to Daemon Theory, but I also spend a significant amount of time on other projects. At the moment I'm working on a psychological horror novel called 'The Bone Garden'. It's about a modern American Aristocracy and all of the psychotic baggage that comes with forging royalty in the twenty-first century. And that's all I have to say about that!

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

JAM:
They can follow me on Twitter @JAltonMast and on tumblr.  I usually post pretty regular updates on both sites.


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Author Interview: Chloe Miles

6/26/2014

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Meet Chloe Miles, Author of The Faded Trilogy
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About the Author

Chloe Miles is a twenty-something author, dreamer, shameless chocoholic, and hopeless romantic.
When she's not writing or daydreaming, she loves escaping reality with her favorite playlists, eating too much chocolate, and curling up on her couch in her PJs with a good TV show and a cup of tea.

The Faded Trilogy is her first series. (Amazon)


BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

CM:
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always had a vivid imagination and loved creating stories in my head. I’d always wanted to be an author or a scriptwriter, but life seemed to get in the way of those professional aspirations for a while. Then I discovered the world of indie publishing, came up with an idea for a trilogy, and here I am.

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BBB: What books have you written?

CM: My first series The Faded Trilogy is a young adult paranormal romance about a human girl, an irresistibly charming ghost, a town terrorized by violent and unpredictable weather, and dark forces who will stop at nothing to tear them apart. There’s a little magic, a little action, and an inspiring love story behind it all.

Obviously, with Hunter being a spirit and Savannah being a human, their relationship is certainly not without its difficulties and obstacles, but the message throughout the series is that true love can conquer all, even the impossible.
 
Love is an emotional feeling. The idea of Savannah and Hunter’s love for each other is that the strongest feelings we feel aren’t always physically felt but felt wholly and powerfully within your heart.

I believe there is a powerful and inspirational message behind The Faded Trilogy, and I hope that the readers will walk away from this series with a little more hope and love in their hearts.


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BBB: Where do the ideas for your stories come from?

CM: 
I wanted to write a paranormal romance that was a little different to everything else that’s already been written. I loved the idea of earthbound spirits protecting the town from evil. And, being a hopeless romantic, I loved the idea of eternal undying love, especially between two characters who are so young but whose love is so rare and beyond their years.

It happened to be storming when I was coming up with the idea for the series, so that’s the inspiration behind the power over the weather that the characters possess and the unpredictable storms terrorizing the town.

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BBB: What are you currently working on?

CM:
 I want to dedicate my heart and soul to The Faded Trilogy and ensure its success before I move on to any other writing projects. You never know what may happen in the future in regards to other writing projects, but right now my heart belongs to Savannah and Hunter.


BBB: Do you ever get writer's block?

CM:
 I think writer’s block is something that all writers inevitably suffer from at some point or another. Whenever it happens, I try to take a step back from the story for a moment, clear my head, and then read back over the ideas I’ve already written. Nine times out of ten inspiration will find its way back and I’ll have a great idea suddenly pop into my head that I’d spent all day trying to think of.  


BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

CM:
 The three books in the series – Faded, See No Evil and Ever After – are available at online retailers in both paperback and ebook, and readers can also connect with the series on Goodreads and The Faded Trilogy Facebook page. I love connecting with new readers and hearing their thoughts on the series, and I can be found on Twitter @chloemiles_

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Author Interview: Johanna Carroll

6/25/2014

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Meet Johanna Carroll, Author of My Greatest Love, My Greatest Sorrow
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BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

JC:
I grew up in a family that read all the time and English was my favorite subject in school.  I started writing spiritual books almost 20 years ago after receiving messages in a meditation.  I feel I am a mouthpiece for the Divine and need to share eternal wisdom to heal the world.

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BBB: How did you come with the idea for My Greatest Love, My Greatest Sorrow?

JC:
I was sitting at my computer one day and felt a presence standing behind me.  Then I felt hands gently rest on my shoulders.  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I have a strange / unique relationship with the Universe so decided to start a silent conversation.  “Who are you”?  I asked.  I heard “Mary”. Which Mary?  “The other one.”  I knew it was Mary Magdalene.  She told me to tell her story so I started to write.  I was always fascinated by Mary Magdalene and never felt she was a whore so I was excited to hear and write on her behalf. I had been inspired by a painting Venus Rising from the Sea years ago while in Italy.  I found out that this was actually dedicated to Mary’s arrival in France after the death of Jesus. 

BBB: Tell us about your main character.

JC:
The main character is Mary Magdalene and her journey into her own empowered female role as a spiritual teacher and healer as a young girl trained to be a nurse / herbalist.  Additionally it is the most profound love story of two eternal soul mates on a divine mission to teach the world friendship and love.  She will break your heart and make you smile when you sense everything she felt and thought as a woman ahead of her time who still teaches us even today.  


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BBB: Do you ever get writer's block?

JC:
To be honest when writing in a meditative state, I have no blocks.  The words come so quickly it is hard to type them that fast.  I pray before I write and ask for the divine to speak through me.  They obviously have a lot to say!

BBB: What are you currently working on?

JC:
I have just completed writing my fourth book, The Lost Art of Loving which came once again via meditation after I had two emergency heart surgeries.   The book is filled with wisdom and ancient teachings about self-love, sharing love with others, sacred sex, and Universal love.  One lady who read the book told me it actually saved her husband’s life as he was a walking heart attack just like I was.  The book focuses on heart health and how emotions affect our health.

Also I am focusing on my new radio show Dialogue with Divinity which features celebrity guests and their stories on growth and awareness.  It is fascinating to hear a celebrity talk about their life from a spiritual perspective.  Each guest brings fun and wisdom to the show to inspire many. I also continue with my private practice as an international spiritual counselor for over 30 years.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

JC:
My work and services can be found at:  www.johannacarroll.com and if someone wishes to connect with me directly via email:  johanna@johannacarroll.com or (760) 891-0227 is my home office number.


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Author Interview: Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor

6/18/2014

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Meet Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor, Author of Martina Finds a Shiny Coin
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Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor was born in Bronx, New York to Puerto Rican parents. She grew up travelling back and forth between Caguas, Puerto Rico and the Bronx. She is an attorney and a proud veteran of the United States Army. (Amazon)


BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

YGT: I am inspired by the idea that I can share a story that evolved within me with the world. There is something exciting about knowing that your words will be left to the world long after you leave this earth. My goal is to inspire others with the message my writing brings. 

I have written since a young age. Mostly, I did a lot of "journaling" for self-reflection.  I still journal but really only when I need to soul search or express sadness or strong emotions. I use it as a therapeutic tool.

Martina Finds a Shiny Coin is my first official publication. It is an adaptation to an old Caribbean folktale titled Martina and Perez. It is a folktale originating from the oral tradition of many African influenced countries in the Caribbean and South America.


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BBB: How did you come up with the idea for Martina Finds a Shiny Coin?

YGT: The idea for the book happened by coincidence and with the help of my youngest daughter. We are avid bedtime readers. When she was younger she enjoyed listening to fairy-tales  I found myself telling her a lot of the usual fairy-tales like the three pigs or Goldilocks. One day my husband asked me if I had any fairytales from my native Puerto Rico and immediately I thought of Martina.  I started by sharing the original version with my daughter and after a while we started details that transformed the story into the adaptation that ended up being published.


BBB: Tell us about your main character Martina.

YGT: The main character is a little roach that finds a coin and decides to go on a shopping trip to find something special. There are different adaptations to the story throughout the Caribbean, Central, and South America but in our version, the Puerto Rican one, she buys face powder and immediately attracts many suitors. This simple act of finding the coin sets her off on a journey of self-discovery.  My version portrays a more modern twist on beauty, talent, love, acceptance and rejection. My Martina is an expert cellist, an avid reader and a dancer and singer of original Puerto Rican folkloric music.


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BBB: Do you ever get writer’s block?

YGT: To me my writer’s block comes in the form of procrastination. I am an attorney, parent, and I teach at a community college. I spend my “free” time with my children or keeping up with my responsibilities outside of work. I do spend some of that time online promoting and marketing my book by tweeting for the character (@martinascoin) or on her Facebook page (Cucarachita Martina, The Clean and Cute Little Roach).  So I must be honest with myself and say that some of that “online” time could be spent more wisely doing actual writing for the different projects that I have. I don’t need a special cabin in the woods or the beach. I just like to sit at my computer with nice music to write.  I also write when I can’t sleep.
 

BBB: What are you currently working on?

YGT:
I am working on the second book in the Martina series, Martina and the Wondrous Waterfall.  This one is completely mine, not an adaptation. It spun off the original story and it takes place in the same “enchanted village” where Martina and her husband El Raton Miguel live. In it, Martina and the rest of the animals and bugs of the village visit a waterfall to settle a bet between them. It is scheduled to be released July 2014. The illustrator, Alba Escayo, is putting the final details on the illustrations as we speak. I am very excited about this project and I am looking forward to seeing this title hit the market and bookstores.

I am also working on my memoir, which has the working title of The Taped up Eggshell.


BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

YGT: Anyone interested in finding more information about Martina can visit her Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/martinafindsashinycoin or follow her on Twitter @martinascoin. My twitter handle is @ygonzaleztaylor.

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Author Interview: Savannah & Zeke Parker

6/18/2014

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Meet Savannah & Zeke Parker, Authors of Billy Scarlet
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Savannah and Zeke Parker are a brother and sister writing team. They have been creating stories since they were very young, it wasn’t until about 2003 that they started writing their stories down. Billy Scarlet was not their first story, but somehow this story entangles itself with just about every other story they have written in one way or another.

Savannah and Zeke Parker have been writing together since they were 11 and 6 years old. The Secret of Nautilus Island was the first story they wrote together. The story began to develop when they would spend time around the ocean as children. Every time they would get the chance the two of them would be off to themselves spinning more tales about Tylar Morgan and Jonny Ford’s adventures at sea. (Ink Smith Publishing)

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BBB: What inspired you to write Billy Scarlet?

S&ZP:
We spent a lot of time around the ocean when we were children so we picked up lots of different stories from fishermen. We had a lot of free time so we would sit on the docks and just come up with all kinds of different stories. As we came up with them we would write them down and read them to our siblings and parents.


BBB: Tell us about your main character Billy Scarlet.

S&ZP:
Billy Scarlet is the daughter of a governor's daughter and a pirate. She is the result of a bad girl who seduced a pirate in a bar one night. She grows up in an orphanage with her two friends Clara and Davy. Over all, Billy is a very strong girl. She dresses up as a man for five years to stay on a navy ship. She can fight and carry on with the best of them. Basically she's a tough sailor girl who takes no crap from anyone.

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BBB: Do you ever get writers block?

S&ZP: 
We get writer's block just as much as any other writers, but it works to our advantage that the two of us work together. If one of us gets writer's block we have the other to come and help push through it and keep going.


BBB: What are you currently working on?

S&ZP: We are currently working on two projects. The Secret of Nautilus Island and Billy Scarlet 2, The Curse of Laquendor. The stories tie into one another so that makes it a lot of fun. The characters meet each other in different ways and we get to tell the story from two different points of view.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?


S&ZP:
There are several ways to keep up with us and to find out more. Readers can follow us on Facebook and Twitter. They can also go to ink-smith.com and find us and a lot of other awesome authors. There's always news about us on any of those sites.

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Author Interview: Misty Watts

6/17/2014

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Meet Misty Watts, Author of Earthborn
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Misty Watts was born and raised in Cayce, a small farming town in West Kentucky.

With very little to do in a small town, she let her imagination get the better of her and always dreamed of being a published author. She attended college at the University of Tennessee at Martin and received a Bachelor's Degree in Communications. After working with companies in each area of media, she was still unsatisfied. 

In 2010, she began writing "Reap" for fun and hasn't stopped yet.  The book turned into a series and plans for more books are in the works. 

Watts is now an independent author and runs a small advertising/marketing company, Deep Blue Daisy, with her husband. 

After many, many moves, she now resides once again in Cayce, Kentucky, with her husband, three daughters and two cats. (www.mistywatts.com)

BBB: What inspired you to become an author? 

MW: I have wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember! When I was little I would staple notebook paper together to make a spine and write in a story. Up until now, my resume was basically stuff I don't want to have to do anymore. 

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BBB: How did you come with the idea for Earthborn? 

MW: I was actually researching Bigfoot because there's a legend in my small town of creatures called minihoonies. They supposedly look like miniature versions of the myth. Then I slowly started clicking on more biblical creatures until Nephilim came up. I probably looked at two sites before the story popped into my head, then I couldn't stop. I wrote the entire manuscript in eight days. My family got pretty tired of takeout!

BBB: Tell us about your main character, Declan. 

MW: Declan is a country boy. Born and raised in a small town with loving parents, he is down to Earth and understanding. He also believes in things that can't be explained. 

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BBB: Do you ever get writer's block? 

MW: I have a couple of times, but it usually doesn't last long. I have very vivid and entertaining dreams. If I hit a wall on one project, it isn't long before the flow comes back or I have a new idea. 

BBB: What are you currently working on? 

MW: I just began working on a new idea I'm calling "Mental Notes" about a charmed knife. I don't want to say more than that until I work out the kinks.


BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work? 

MW: My website and Facebook pages have new information. 
www.mistywatts.com
www.facebook.com/mistywattsauthor
Or you can find me on Twitter @wattsbooks


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Author Interview: Marti Melville

6/17/2014

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Meet Marti Melville, Author of The Deja Vu Chronicles
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Marti Melville is an American novelist and screenwriter known for her debut novel series, The Deja vu Chronicles. Her third book in the series is due to be released in 2015. The Déjà vu Chronicles has been written for feature film production and a major studio based in Hollywood is currently considering the screenplays.

With the fourth book in The Déjà vu Chronicles currently in development, Marti has expanded her writing to include screenwriting, ghostwriting and editing. She is owner of Midnight Omen Productions, LLC, an entertainment company dedicated to promoting excellence in entertainment through the production of quality screenplay, poetry and novels.

She is currently co-writing a medical thriller due to be released in early 2016. Marti continues to write novels, introducing the idea of fictional probability linked to historical events.

Marti currently resides in Southern California. (Amazon)


BBB: What inspired you to become an author?  

MM: I’ve always loved to write.  My career led me to work as an RN in emergency but my passion was always writing.  Several years ago, I experienced sleepless nights resulting from two sons who were deployed at the same time to different wars.  During the deep nights, when I knew active fighting was taking place, I decided to research a family name from Wales.  I discovered Captain John Phillips’ (the pirate) story and decided then that history tells the best tale.  You just can’t make this stuff up!

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BBB: How did you come with the idea for The Deja Vu Chronicles?  

MM: The ideas are based on historical events, people and Celtic folklore.  Hours researching the minutest details of pirate life and the rich history that surrounds the Spanish Main provided the details I used to weave the paranormal, historical romance that became the series.  Fortunately, with my background in trauma and emergency nursing, I was able to draw on that experience to liven the flavor of a healer on board the ship.

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BBB: Tell us about your main character.  

MM: Kathryn begins the story as nurse working for a very active ER (surprise!) when mysterious events cause her to question her reality.  She discovers she lived a previous life as a simple peasant girl growing up in Wales.  Unexpectedly, she is kidnapped and finds her future lies onboard a pirate ship.  She must discover and harness her inner strengths to survive - falling in love along the way (of course).  

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BBB: Do you ever get writer's block? 

MM: I prefer to call it “writer’s mind” because to me, that occasional moment when I’m stuck with the story progression is really about unravelling and categorizing the myriad, chaotic ideas that spring into mind.  Once I take a moment to write down all of the thoughts floating around in there, I can move ahead with my writing.  It’s not a block so much as a traffic-jam.

BBB: What are you currently working on?  


MM: Currently, I am writing the third book in the series, Onyx Rising Deja vu.  I am also co-writing a medical thriller and a horror film screenplay.  (Can you see where the traffic jam happens?)

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?   


MM: The first two books in the Deja vu Chronicles is available through Amazon.com.  The third novel, Onyx Rising Deja vu, is scheduled for release in 2015.  You can keep up with my projects and events by visiting the website: www.martimelville.com.  

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Author Interview: John McAfee

6/12/2014

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Meet John P. McAfee, Author of Ropes of the Sun
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Born in Clovis, New Mexico in 1947, John grew up with his brother on large ranches in West Texas: Ft. Davis, Alpine, and Van Horn. He led a Huck Finn life and was probably the only kid who had an antelope named Governor for a pet. It slept with him every night until it got too large and aggressive and sent to Yellowstone National Park for breeding stock. His father was a ranch foreman and spent much of his life working ranches for absentee owners. His mother was a professional politician in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he spent many summers fishing the Pecos River and attending the Santa Fe Opera. He was educated through high school and junior college at New Mexico Military Institute, and was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Infantry. He served with the 8th Special Forces Group in South America (Ft. Gulick, CZ) and 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam. He has a BA in English from University of Texas-El Paso and an MA in Education Administration from Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina. He is married to the whimsical artist, Elizabeth McAfee, and they have a son, John Lewis McAfee, who along with his wife, Amy, work in the U.S.Citizenship and Immigration Services for Homeland Security. After a long career in teaching, coaching, and administration, He is now a full-time writer. (Goodreads)

BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

JPM: I didn't decide to be a writer, it was decided long before I arrived.  There are some of us who have to express what  they are feeling, their interpretation of the stories unfolding in front of them, seekers of the threads in the chaos that lead us to some kind of limited understanding, and failures at everything else (at least in our eyes).

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BBB: How did you come up for the idea for Ropes of the Sun?

JPM:
Ropes of The Sun has been percolating for over ten years in my brain.  I knew the characters long before I knew the story.  As I matured, I gradually begin to see their worlds and the pushback from an American reality that had left my characters far behind in the backwaters of our country. 


BBB: Tell us about your character, Sam Rifle.

JPM: While Sam Rifle is an important character as is Louie Crave and Heber McNinch, it is Sheriff David Ortiz y Pino, a loner and rancher, whom I chose as the major character because his problems are what so many of us are facing in our later years.

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BBB: Do you ever get writer's block?

JPM: Writer’s Block is the author searching for the voice to drive the novel.  Sometimes, it is found within weeks of the idea for a novel (Slow Walk in A Sad Rain) or it takes years (Ropes of The Sun).  Once the voice is found, the rest flows.

BBB: What are you currently working on?


JPM:
I am currently working on a book about a Gullah Root Doctor named Alama St. James who is arrested for violating the National Security of the United States and her retribution on those who brought the charges.  It is loosely based on a true story from the Korean Conflict. I am updating it to the Vietnam era.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

JPM: You can find out more about my books and an occasional blog on my website www.johnpmcafee.com.

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Author Interview: Stacey Marcus

6/11/2014

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Meet Stacey Marcus, Author of Revelations of the Anonymous
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Along with her love of children and animals, Stacey has become an advocate for children with special needs and women of abuse. Stacey has been a guest speaker for organizations such as The Friendship Circle, Battered Women, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. She has volunteered at the Jewish Home For The Aging and has saved several dogs from abuse.
She has created art, love and belief. "Revelations Of The Anonymous," Staceys first book of poetry, has been published by Christine F. Andeson Publications & Media. Stacey is currently working on her memoirs entitled "Kosher Crack." Her two children's books are due out in mid-July.  (Amazon)


BBB: What inspired you to become an author?

SM:
My inspiration for embarking on authorship came at a time in my life when I began to take a closer look at myself.  My life felt like my cup was always half empty, and I yearned to have a half full cup instead. This common expression brought me to the conclusion that the only way I could save myself from drowning in pain was to save others, and I could not do that if I was barely treading water myself.   Writing has always been a way to let out from within me that which I need to express.  Writing is intriguing to me as words become images and images become visions.  Thus, my inspiration comes from my own experiences in life, sometimes painful, sometimes awesome. I find writing to be a cathartic adventure towards healing and hopefully, I can reach others who need the courage to heal as well.

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BBB: How did you come up for the idea for Revelations for the Anonymous?

SM:
The very title of REVELATIONS OF THE ANONYMOUS sparked within me years before I embarked on the venture of using the written word itself. My writing came at a time in my life when I truly felt anonymous.  I lacked faith in myself feeling like something within me was hiding.  I found so many unleashed reflections of my experiences in life since childhood.  I had not realized the impact of my experiences until I took a hard look at my image in the mirror.  Suddenly, I knew that I did not have to be invisible at all, but I found a woman who was now ready to reveal an intimate compilation of thoughts and feelings about my own life. Not to face these feelings is bad but not expressing them would be worse.  It wasn’t until such time when I had an epiphany and found the faith in myself and to have the courage to finally expose my writing by this cathartic anthology of emotions.  It has been a lifelong endeavor of mine to pour my feelings out on paper.  And I must add, a "blank" piece of paper has always been a friend when I felt I had no one else in my life!

BBB: What do you think readers will take away from your book?

SM:
Hopefully, the most important feelings my readers will experience as they read REVELATIONS OF THE ANONYMOUS is that they are not alone in sadness when all hope seems to have washed away.   R.O.T.A. will give readers the encouragement to explore their inner selves and perhaps find their own spiritual awareness as they apply their personal journeys to each of my expressions.  Perhaps, their loneliness and despair will turn to the knowledge that others have the courage to face and overcome past and present obstacles that have so deeply affected their self worth.   Hopefully, those who want to help themselves in some way may even create dialogue with others and groups and will form support connections.  High hopes for what this book will accomplish gives me the warm, loving feelings I so want others to embrace and give them the courage to face their own images in the mirror.


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BBB: Do you ever get writer's block?

SM:
Writer's block is common among all authors; however, when I have written my notes, I do pause and meditate before I actually stop for the day.  I carry my computer like most authors and record any anxieties that slip into my mind.  In my other pursuits as well, I focus until some "spiritual" entity tells me to stop, look, and listen to myself and take a break.  Thus, the definition of writer's block is not the lack of ideas but a break to pursue a balance in my life.  This is part of the process I want my readers to learn as well.

BBB: What are you currently working on?

SM:
I have two children’s’ books due out in July, “Mommie What Does Love Mean” and “The ABC’s Of I Love You.”  I am also working on my memoirs, “Kosher Crack.”  While I am doing this, I continue to create my blogs and website.

BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?

SM:
Everyone can reach me through my website, www.staceyinsideout.com or Facebook at Stacey Inside Out.


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