Today I am excited to have had the opportunity to interview Shayla Raquel, author of The Suicide Tree and Author Branding. She is an expert editor, seasoned writer, and author-centric marketer, Shayla Raquel works one-on-one with authors and business owners every day. A lifelong lover of books, she has edited over 400 books and has launched several Amazon bestsellers for her clients.
Check out Shayla’s bookS below!
(Click on the image to order your copy)
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.)
Nicole Wells had been guiding people spiritually for over 10 years. In UpSpark, she weaves in everything she’s learned in an emotional heartwarming journey, with a psychic paranormal fantasy twist. An observer of people and life, she crafts inspirational romance stories that make you laugh and cry, reflecting our human condition with tenderness and hope. This New Adult contemporary romance is her debut novel.
StarDust(The Five Elements Book 2) by Nicole Wells ~ Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
So you’ve got psychic powers, now what?
When superstar Aurora manifests telekinesis, her beliefs about everything are put to the test, even the ones about herself. Can she heal enough to let love in?
Brayden is an easygoing guy, until an Australian beauty steals his heart and turns his world upside down. The stakes get even higher when she threatens to expose a secret that’s been kept by his people for millennia.
Can they recognize their precious love for what it is, and save the world in the process?
Enter the world of the Five Elements with Aurora and Braydens story.
This book contains some topics that may be triggering.
Get ready for an award winning story that reached Amazon’s top 500 for all e-books (over 2 million), now fully revised!
Can they find themselves and each other before time runs out?
Enya’s dreams of making a difference in the world are devastated the summer after high school when she finds out she has a fatal disease.
A cross country road trip to Native American reservations helps her find meaning. But Jacob, her best friend and traveling companion, has longed for them to become something more.
Their expedition is just the start of an amazing love and spiritual journey, but a one-in-a-million phenomenon changes everything.
“I get the feeling like I’m reading Fault In Our Stars Part 2.”
So there I was with a newborn in my lap, sleep deprived and awake between nursings. Writing. There was a story I was gifted with that suddenly wanted to be told, and whether I cobbled it together during the day on my cell phone or wrote in the wee hours of morning while my little one slept, I managed to get it all down in three weeks.
For almost a year prior, I had seriously dallied with the idea of writing, and since high school I had fancied the idea of one day becoming an author. While I was pregnant, however, the starts and stops on the world I’d honed since I was a sophomore never tugged the full idea out of me. Instead, I found myself with a complete, and completely unexpected, novel. It was a gift, and my welcome to the world of pantsing.
You see, I am a planner. A we-need-to-turn-this-car-around-because-I-forgot-the-kitchen-sink type of planner. I am not accustomed to waiting to see what my characters had planned, or discovering them as they slowly choose to reveal themselves. With UpSpark, I had only the first scene and the last scene, and it was a full tilt ride filling in everything in-between. What an exhilarating experience to let go of control! I had no idea I was capable of indulging this creative muscle, following it down whatever dark alleys it lead me, to come out the other end into euphoric sunshine.
And now the floodgates are open. I have so many ideas. More so, I have an addiction now. There is no comparable meter stick in my life to this whirlwind of simultaneous wonder, creation, and pride when I strap myself into the sofa, fire up my laptop “control panel”, and dive in to explore new stories, no holds barred.
Well, I guess you could say my kids are wondrous creations I’m proud of, and that’s certainly true, but my stories don’t make dirty dishes or laundry, and when they talk back, it only makes me laugh.
Speaking of, don’t tell my kids, okay? This is just between you and me. They have no idea I can let my hair down and go with the flow. And as much as I love and enjoy the community and friends that I’ve found with this endeavor, the stories that I have been so blessed to be able to share, and the opportunity to touch people with my words, it’s this discovery of these new pieces of me, at the ripe old age of forty something, that I truly treasure. What value would you put on loosing the binds that held you back all your life? I didn’t realize what constriction was, but I’ve gotten a glimpse of who I’ve been and who I am. For a little bit longer, just to be between you and me, this is my precious secret gift from writing, a new superpower of possibility: Mommy can do anything.
Today I am excited to have had the opportunity to interview Georgia Cross, author of The Stepdaughter.
Georgina Cross is the suspense author of The Stepdaughter (September 2020) and Book 2 (January 2021) with Bookouture. And Book 3 with Ballantine, Penguin Random House (late 2021).
She is represented by Rachel Beck with Liza Dawson Associates with her suspense fiction appealing to readers of The Good Girl by Mary Kubica, The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle, The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth, and Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty.
Check out Georgina’s bookS below!
(Click on the image to order your copy)
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.)
Today I am excited to have had the opportunity to interview Shannon Work, author of Now I See You. Now I See You is Shannon’s first novel. She is currently busy writing the second. Book 2 in the Mountain Resort Mystery Series is a murder mystery set in Vail, Colorado.
Check out Shannon’s book below!
(Click on the image to order your copy)
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.)
Amy Michelle Carpenter is a developmental editor with Eschler Editing and a professional blogger. She’s written hundreds of blogs and news articles for local and national companies. She also has a children’s story in an anthology.
As the daughter of an Army officer, she grew up traveling the country and has lived by sandy beaches, southern woods, towering cities, and the rocky mountains. Now, she resides in the countryside of Tooele, UT with her husband and baby girls. She enjoys seeing what wildlife and farm animals dare venture into her yard only to be chased by her toddlers. Wherever family is is home.
Becoming Human by Amy Michelle Carpenter ~ Genre: YA Science Fiction
A redneck boy. An Earth-obsessed alien. And a robotic girl… Three wildly different teenagers must work together, and accept one another, to conserve humanity.
A breathtaking debut with Southern charm, whimsical worlds, and meet-cuteness, for fans of Marie Lu and Lois Lowry.
Carter doesn’t believe in aliens. And he certainly doesn’t defend his dad’s claims that they exist, even if they aired on national television. But then, the girl he’s falling for starts doing strange things, magical things, things that seem a bit out of this world.
Kokab hungers to be a Perfect in a world where her emotions are her greatest flaw. But when her planet faces extinction, her sympathy makes her the best ambassador to persuade humans to accept her people. Failure means invasion, but success means she will never become a Perfect. Ags dreams of graduating from the Academy and becoming a guardian of Earth.
Obsessed with all things human, she’s eager to spend time on the unique planet. But when she uncovers an impending invasion, she’s willing to lose everything, including herself, to stop it.
“Human and alien, complex and sweetly personal, Carpenter’s thoughtful world blends sci-fi with coming of age as three unique worlds collide. This book will make you laugh, make you fall in love, and then make you re-evaluate what it means to be human.” McKelle George, HarperCollins author of Speak Easy Speak Love
Would you like a chance to win an ebook copy of Midnight Sun or a $15 Amazon gift card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
It all started with an assignment I got in sixth grade to create a book about myself. In it, I announced that in ten years I’d be a published author. Right around my 22nd birthday, I found that book. Had I become an author? Nope. So, I decided that it was totally feasible to accomplish my kid dreams, and I went for it.
I checked out a guidebook on how to be published for dummies (this isn’t a joke). Then, I followed its advice. I joined a writing group, started going to conferences, honed my craft by taking on an internship with an editing company (because I thought there was no better way to learn to write than to learn how to tell others how to write), and built connections. A friend of mine got a publishing contract with a company, and she recommended me. And that’s how I broke into to the wild business of publishing!
What is something unique/quirky about you?
Before having all my little babies, I lived in a school bus with my husband. My husband tore out all the seats, and we got to work remaking the inside of it into a little home.We had a bedroom, a little kitchenette, a bathroom, and a living room. We even had a giant tub in the bathroom that fit the two of us and a full-sized couch.
While living in a school bus may sound like luxury (haha), I wasn’t the biggest fan, so I highly recommend not jumping on that bandwagon. I won’t get into the gritty details, but let’s just say that a lot of basic like electricity and heating struggled to work, and, even though we were renting a piece of land, we looked sketchy sitting there. The cops may have showed up at our house a few times in the middle of the night. But, it ended up well enough because when we moved into a real house it felt like a luxury!
Where were you born/grew up at?
My dad was military, so I basically grew up all around the USA. That was a good time. My dad was stationed in Georgia for a year, so I pulled some of my distant memories of the place to write this book.
How to find time to write as a parent?
I have three babies under three, so finding time to write is basically impossible these days. It’s a good thing I wrote this novel when I only had one newborn who slept all day.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
Redneck Intellect.
How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
The two female protagonists are me, which is weird to say because they’re foils of each other, but it’s true. I’m a crazy perfectionist like Kokab. There have been times in my life when I’ve been so obsessed with being a good person that I couldn’t really function. There’s a part of me that really feels that rigidity and confusion about customs, and I definitely sometimes feel like social things can take a second to click. But then, there’s this other side of me that is all Ags, super excited and exuberant about things, with high energy and happiness.
The male protagonist Carter, is kind of just a mesh up of my husband and also what I think the ideal guy is.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I think I most enjoyed the process of working on it with others. I have an amazing critique group, and it was so fun to brainstorm with them and then steal their ideas that they had for my book and look like a total genius. Looking like a genius is great fun.
How did you come up with the title of your first novel?
Becoming Human is the whole theme of the book. Theme is really important to me, and the book is all about what makes us human and what the point of the human experience is.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Of course. I’m one of those people that could keep picking at something forever and ever. But I won’t since it’s now been through all the beta reading stages and three stages with Immortal Works’ editor. I’m pretty sure I’d make a lot of people annoyed if I went in and tried to change things now.
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
Ags is really obsessed with the humanities, so it was really fun to go out and learn about a plethora of different paintings, and stories, and ballet, and such.
If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Yes, I did theater in high school, so that’d be a blast. My favorite character to play would be Anna though. Anna is really overdramatic and wild and does whatever she wants, and that’d be an exciting character to play.
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
One of my favorite parts of the book is Kokab and Carter’s first date (spoiler, sorry..not sorry). It’s just so cute and awkward and real. I feel like it’s how a real first date goes with two teenagers who are crushing on each other.
What did you edit out of this book?
Well, this book was originally a completely different story so half of the ensemble of characters, most of the scenes, and the overall storyline. The theme stayed the same though, so that’s good.
Do you see writing as a career?
Of course.
What do you think about the current publishing market?
I’m a big fan of Indie publishers. I like them because they have more wiggle room for originality and wholesomeness.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
I love YA books. Maybe I’m immature; I don’t know. I most especially love sci-fi with female protagonists.
Advice they would give new writers?
Join a really good writing group. They will teach you how to write. Go to conferences. Use the conferences to learn but also to meet people. Making friends with people who are authors will help you break in yourself.
What makes a good story?
To me, it’s what I come out with. A good story is one that inspires or uplifts me or makes me question things. I only have so many hours in a day, so I want to come out better than I went in before I read it.
Jeff Pollak, author of First Second Coming, first had the idea for his debut novel on 9/11 as he watched the World Trade Center collapse. In this interview find out all about Jeff’s writing process and get a glimpse into the world of First Second Coming!
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.)
Valerie Evans is a modern fantasy addict living in Georgia who finally took the plunge to self-publish her first novel after nearly seven years. She is the author of The Anberlin Chronicles series and the forthcoming Wolves of Worsham series. In her free time, she likes to read all genres with a focus on fantasy, entertain her very clingy dog, and collect Funkos pops plus journals.
Of Spells and Furby Valerie Evans ~ Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
As the only known survivor of a horrific massacre years earlier, Molly Hastings has rebuilt her life as a dedicated member of the Anberlin sentries. It’s her job to protect and police the supernatural citizens who call the town home, but the discovery of several bodies has put everyone on edge with no suspect in sight.
Further complicating matters are a call from the home she left behind and the sudden arrival of a werewolf motorcycle club with ties to her past. An unexpected ally is found with Parker Hayes, a hunter facing down his own demons and searching for a future not based in bloodshed, who inspires feelings she hasn’t felt in years.
Amidst the clash between her past and present, Molly finds herself questioning everything she knows about not only those she’s meant to protct but the Sentries themselves. Could everything she’s been taught be a lie, and if it is, can she protect those she cares about?
Would you like a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card?Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
What can we expect from you in the future?
I’m actually currently working on a 5-part series involving a side character from Of Spells and Fur with the first book scheduled to be released summer 2021. Without spoiling the events of the book, this character comes from a single-species town and left his family over a decade earlier following some traumatic experiences. His decision to return home forces him to face not only the family he abandonded, but the woman whose heart he broke.
The other four books will focus on his siblings dealing with their own species-based issues and meeting significant others.
Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
I’ve always loved writing and have several short stories my mother has kept over the years. Of Spells and Fur is actually my fourth published work, though the world of Anberlin where Of Spells and Fur is set began taking shape in 2012 with the book that would become Kindred Spirit. Following a conversation with my sister in January of 2020, I took the plunge to self-publish the original Anberlin trilogy over the first half of the year while working on Of Spells and Fur. It still feels surreal sometimes, but I’m excited to continue on this journey and introduce more people to my worlds.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Of Spells and Fur?
Molly Hastings was born into a family of supernatural hunters, but she walked away after a tragedy and became the equivalent of a supernatural police officer called a sentry in Anberlin. She’s known for being somewhat stand-offish, work obsessed, and anti-werewolves, though it’s a limited group who know anything about her past beyond the hunter part.
Parker Hayes was also born into a family of supernatural hunters, though he made some questionable choices and got himself disowned. He wants to join the Sentries, but his habits of drinking, getting into fights, and causing trouble around town don’t exactly make him an ideal candidate.
What is your writing process?
I have a somewhat chaotic writing process since I start with an idea that includes characters, antagonists, and the basic outline of a plot. I always write the first chapter freehand to see where the flow is and get a feel for the main character, but I generally outline events that come to me and can span anywhere from a single chapter to several. Then it’s just a matter of rinse and repeat! Sometimes random scenes pop in my head so I’ll write them out then have to figure out where they belong later on.
Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or do you feel like you have hte reigns of the story?
I normally feel in control, but Molly did a little hijacking with Of Spells and Fur. I had a plan then she went, “but what if . . .” and I ended up loving the direction things went. It ended up giving me extra work and having to scrap some scenes that I’d originally written, but I do feel like the story is stronger and more character-focused with the change.
Do you read yourself and if so what if your favorite genre?
I try to read whenever possible, but I admit that I don’t always get to read as much as I’d like. My favorite genre is the urban/contemporary/modern fantasy genre because I love seeing magic and the paranormal world brought into the regular world.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
I am a full believer in writer’s block, but I also think it’s important to not let it be an excuse. When writer’s block strikes, I throw myself into creating playlists or graphics to reawaken that excitement for the story and hear the characters’ voices again. It’s almost always successful, and usually when it isn’t, I realize there’s a structural or plot problem that needs to be address before I can keep going with the story.
Advice they would give to new authors?
Write the story you want to read. It might not always be the most current or in-demand story, but I think it’s more important to be passionate about what you’re writing than going with what you think will sell or get the most readers. Someone’s waiting for your story so why disappoint them by turning out what everyone else is doing?
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.)
We have a very special guest today, Loren Rhoads is the co-author of Lost Angels and Angelus Rose!
Loren Rhoads is the co-author (with Brian Thomas) of the novel Lost Angels about a succubus who sets her sights on an angel and ends up possessed by a mortal girl’s soul. The sequel, Angelus Rose, came out in February 2020.
Loren is the author of The Dangerous Type, Kill By Numbers, and No More Heroes, a space opera trilogy set after a galactic war has wiped out much of humanity.
She is also the author of 199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die and Wish You Were Here: Adventures in Cemetery Travel. She blogs about graveyards as travel destinations at CemeteryTravel.com.
Check out her books below!
(Click on the title to read more and to order your copy today!)
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.)
We have a very special guest today, W.M. Martin is the author of The Fallen Trilogy!
W.M. Martin, author of The Fallen Trilogy, is a writer of fantasy novels and a lover of his black lab, Willow. He’s also quite fond of his wife, Stephanie, and their four (Yes, I said 4) daughters. The stories he writes are inspired by his children. They are the first and last line of defense in regards to ensuring that his readers are certain to enjoy his books. He enjoys writing about female heroes because his daughters are his.
Check out a few of Martin’s books below!
(Click on the image to order your copy)
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.)
We have a very special guest today, Faith Marlow is a USA Today best selling author of dark fantasy/paranormal/horror with Vamptasy Publishing.
Check out a few of Faith’s books below!
(Click on the image to order your copy)
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.)
Nina Soden 