Q+A with A. Dee Carey (The Fox and the Chalice)

Please welcome today's paranormal guest author A. Dee Carey.  Dee is the author of The Fox and the Dragon, Mark of the Fox, Fox in the Mist, and The Fox and the Chalice.

EJ:  When did you start writing?

Dee:  I wanted to be a writer since I first formed letters.  I started writing for publication in 1993.  My practice writing was writing rebuttals to Phil Donohue.  However, I never sent them.  My daughter was in a coma and my other daughter saw the book I was reading and said, "Mom, my English teacher wrote that."  Kathy Shay was the author and she encouraged me to join RWA and go for it.  (My daughter is fine now)

EJ:  What brought to the paranormal genre?

Dee:  This was always the type of book I read (Mist of Avalon) (Daughter of the Forest) so naturally, that was what I finally found and it speaks to me.  Others told me it is best to start with contemps.  I wrote three and wasn't excited, so I wrote my fox shape shifting "Tails" I sold the first to Wings Press.  They immediately (within weeks) asked for a 2nd and a 3rd.  As a publisher, I am thrilled with the platform they use.  I learned a great deal from them and now I'm self publishing.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Dee:  I would like to be able to see the future, to know if I'm headed on the right track.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release?

Dee:  The Fox and the Dragon is my newest in terms of brand new.  My other books are being re mastered and offered for sale through Kindle.  I like to think that the straightforward story will appeal to the younger set of either gender. There is action as well as lessons to be learned without having it pushed down your throat.  I find that I have some adults particularly seniors like my tales.  The reason being most of my books are in first person and each section is labeled with the speaker, so when they fall asleep, they can remember where they were.

EJ:  If your books were being made into a movie?  Why?

Dee:  Ideally, I would like my stories to be in an animated film. The magic elements would look believable but in no way possible. In The Fox and the Chalice, I turn Merlin in to a tiny blue man.  I give him the ability to cooperate with those who are not of his belief system. Druid magic is performed right alongside the Catholic belief and I do this to promote cooperation.

FOX AND THE CHALICE
Voice for Merlin~ Sean Connery
Voice for female lead~Camerian Diaz
Voice for male lead~Miachel Caine (though the man is young Mr. Caine has a way of using his voice that transcends age)
Voice of Bishop ~ Robert Duvall
Voice Mother Superior ~ Shirley Jones

The Fox and the Chalice by A. Dee Carey.

An Evil puts the Druids and the Church in jeopardy. Two were chosen upon their birth to protect the kingdom from just such a threat. Merlot and LaRoux, fated by magic to be mates.
 
No one could tell Merlot whom to love; she’d find passion on her own, Druid Ordination be damned. Though her destiny is to protect the church that saved her, she never expects to fall in love with LaRoux, the one man the Druids have selected as her mate.
 
LaRoux is surprised to find love in a convent. Instantly smitten by Merlot, he determines to set aside his feelings for the girl, until he avenges his mother’s murder.


Thank you Dee for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about A. Dee Carey and her books, please visit her website.

Air Novella Giveaway Winners

Congratulations Courtney and Archie winners of our Air Novella Giveaway at From the Shadows!  Courtney and Archie will receive their choice of large-print paperback or PDF of Air by J.D. Richard.

Thank you to all who entered.

**All giveaway winners selected using Random.org**

Q+A with Wendy Higgins (Sweet Evil)

Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Wendy Higgins!  Wendy is the author of Sweet Evil.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Wendy:  I began writing stories in Kindergarten. Reading and writing were my hobbies growing up, though there wasn’t a whole lot of YA when I was a teen. Neither of my parents were big readers, so they probably thought I was a bit of a strange recluse child, but they both encouraged my writing.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Wendy:  I honestly don’t know! Prior to Sweet Evil I wrote contemporary stories, chiclit and stuff like that. The whole paranormal thing came out of nowhere, and it was actually very difficult for me. I kept forgetting about my MC’s abilities, and I had to add a lot of detail during revisions.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Wendy:  Oooh, fun…I would have healing powers like Lissa from Vampire Academy, only without all the crazy side-effects. I have several people I love who are sick with rare diseases and they live with daily discomfort. One is my sister-in-law. I’d love to take that pain from her.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Wendy:  Oh, gosh, let me see. I’m hoping readers will enjoy the romantic tension with the hott drummer, Kaidan Rowe, and feel a bond akin to friendship with the MC, Anna.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Wendy:  Probably Ben Barnes for Kaidan - I’d love a ‘real’ English guy for his role, but he’s got to have some killer blue eyes. For Anna it needs to be an innocent little blonde, like Spencer Locke a few years ago.

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil.

Anna, a tender-hearted southern girl, was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

A cross-country trip forces Anna and Kai to face the reality that hope and love are not options for their kind. When it's time for Anna to confront her demons, will she choose to embrace her halo or her horns?

Thank you Wendy for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Wendy Higgins and her books, please visit her website.

In the Service of the King Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations Na winner of the In Service of the King Giveaway at From the Shadows!  Na will receive an ebook copy of In the Service of the King by Laura Kaye.

The winner of the In the Service of the King Tour grand prize is announced here.

Thank you all for entering!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! xx

pssst! We are having a Spirit Guide Series Valentine's Day Twitter Giveaway starting...NOW!

E.J.'s tweet:

Pick your #SpiritGuideSeries Valentine + enter to WIN ebooks + swag! Who is the swooniest? Yuki or Emma? Calvin, Gordy or Simon?

Use hashtag #SpiritGuideSeries on Twitter and tell us which Spirit Guide Series you picked to be your bookish Valentine.  Giving out fab prizes all day.

In the Service of the King: Character Interview + Giveaway

Please welcome our special guests Kael and Shayla from Laura Kaye's new release, In the Service of the King!

Laura:  So, er, I guess I should’ve asked this in advance, but, uh, Kael, how should I address you? Your Highness, Sire, My Lord—

Kael:  My name will do fine. I get enough of the “my lord” crap from my warriors.

Laura:  Okay, Kael it is. So, how have things been since the consummation ceremony?

Kael:  *grasps Shayla’s hand* Best days and weeks of my life.

Shayla:  *nods* Things have been wonderful and crazy.

Laura:  Has it been a lot to adjust to, Shayla, living in a castle full of vampires?

Shayla:  Yes and no. I truly feel that I’m where I’m meant to be. *smiles up at Kael* And Dunluce is absolutely fascinating. I mean, I literally get lost wandering from one amazing artifact to another. And, the library…

Kael:  She really has gotten lost. It’s a good thing I can sense her blood.

Shayla:  That’s true. I just slip into history geek mode and half a night disappears before I know it.

Laura:  Half a night?

Shayla:  Well, I guess that’s one of the things that’s been more of an adjustment. The rest of the household is up at night and sleeps during the day. So I’m making that transition. Plus, thankfully there are a couple other women there, because otherwise living with these guys is a bit like living in a fraternity.

Kael:  *arches an eyebrow* It is not.

Shayla:  It totally is.

Kael:  *narrows eyes* But you love it.

Shayla:  *grins* I do.

Laura:  Kael, is Liam finally happy that you’ve found a mate? Has he found one yet?
Kael:  Liam is my oldest friend and my brother in arms, but he is also a pain in the ass.

Shayla:  He is not.

Kael:  You say that because you two are thick as thieves.

Shayla:  That’s because he’s great.

Kael:  They gang up on me.

Shayla:  *laughs and shrugs* Don’t listen to him, Liam is hilarious. Besides, the Night of the Proffering might’ve gone a lot differently if it wasn’t for Liam.

Kael:  *adoring look at Shayla* That’s the damn truth. Okay, Liam is only a pain in the ass sometimes. *winks* And he’s still unmated, for now.

Laura:  So, Shayla, I have to ask: what does blood taste like? Was it hard to adjust to drinking it?

Shayla:  *blushes*

Kael:  *strokes knuckles over her cheek*

Laura:  [erm, are they communicating without talking? I’m feeling a bit like a third wheel all of a sudden…] *clears throat*

Shayla:  I’m sorry. Um. *releases deep breath* It’s just all very hard to describe. It hasn’t been a hard adjustment because my body needs it now. After I got the mating mark - *holds up her left hand, covered in a beautiful and intricate series of unending Celtic knots* - I started feeling very different, craving new things. The mark is just the most obvious sign of the changes I’ve experienced. I can’t explain it any better than that.

Laura:  And, um, how does it taste?

Shayla:  *licks lips* Imagine the most rich, decadent, and delicious taste you can, and then lace it with an inebriant. That’s what drinking Kael’s blood is like.

Kael:  *shifts in his seat* Are we almost done?

Shayla:  Kael!

Kael:  I cannot help it, dear heart. I find myself in need of you.

Shayla:  *face goes bright red*

Kael:  *kisses her cheek, his lips lingering* So lovely.

Shayla:  Um. *chuckles* I think we should probably wrap this up.

Laura:  Uh, sure. Of course. So, what’s next?

Kael:  *drags his attention away from Shayla* The war with the Soul Eaters is a constant in our lives. While our region has been quiet lately, things are reaching a critical state in one of my brethren’s kingdoms. Nikolai’s reports out of Moscow are quite dire. I think he’ll be telling you more about that soon.

Laura:  Anything you'd like to say to the readers before you have to go?

Shayla:  Just a very big thank you for giving our book a try and bringing our story to life!

Laura:  Thanks so much for being here today! It was wonderful to meet you!

*They speed through good-byes and are out of there so fast it makes my head spin!* Wow. I seriously need a vampire warrior king of my own. Did you see the way he was looking at her? Like he wanted to eat her. *snort* I guess he actually does. *sigh*

Thank you Laura, Shayla, and Kael for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

Laura Kaye is the author of Forever Freed, North of Need, Hearts in Darkness, and In the Service of the King.  To learn more about Laura and her books, please visit her website or check out her From the Shadows author interview.

In the Service of the King (Vampire Warrior Kings #1) by Laura Kaye

Kael, Warrior King of the Vampires, loathes the Night of the Proffering. He needs the blood of either his mate or a human virgin to maintain his strength, but hasn't enjoyed the ritual since he lost his mate centuries ago. Kael doesn't want a new companion, yet his resolve is tested when he lays eyes on his new offering, Shayla McKinnon. He is drawn to Shayla's beauty and poise...and the submission she offers. She is eager to give him anything he wishes, including her innocence, to please him. Will Kael give in to their overwhelming desire--even if it means risking Shayla's life?

**In the Service of the King Giveaway**

To celebrate her new release, Laura is giving away one e-copy of In the Service of the King at each stop on her New Release Tour, 1/30 – 2/15! In addition, all commenters from across the tour will be entered to win a prize bag filled with swag and various vampire items, perfect for the vampire lover!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post including your e-mail address and if from US.  You do not have to be a follower or subscriber to enter.  Ebook prizes open to international; prize bag to US only.  Giveaway ends February 17th midnight EST.

Air Novella: Exclusive Excerpt + Book Giveaway

Please welcome today's paranormal guest author J.D. Richard!  J.D. is sharing an exclusive excerpt from her novella Air and giving away the choice of one large-print paperback or one PDF of Air to two lucky winners.

Air by J.D. Richard

Prepare to feast your mind on the death defying, thrilling, and unexpected! Smarty and Speedy are two boys in the wrong place at the wrong time. They become the unwitting executors of a supernatural artisan's estate. Consequently, the two must flee in terror for their lives from a threat that is set upon them—which they cannot see or touch. Three years later Essie, a runaway, balks at inheriting her cousin's three-year-old son. She is sure that the way to deliverance from her drifter existence lies in attending the prestigious Mann University. Yet, the seemingly ordinary child, with an aura in the magic rings around his neck, and his insightful German shepherd protector defy that logic.

Air Excerpt - Exclusive for From The Shadows

. . . She was about to lower the car seat and interrupt the baby's play for transfer.  Then she stopped mid-task.

The new vision in front of Juliana altered her present reality.  As it started, she recognized the painting that was hanging on the stone wall in front of her.  Its presence identified the exact location of the scene that she was viewing.
    
Welcome visitors that walked from the entryway and foyer into the living room of her house always mistook the work as masterfully, singular, modern art.  Indeed it was.  The painting was Juliana’s own oil on canvas rendering of air and energy licking one another into flames.
    
For simplicity, she told everyone that asked that the work was simply one interpretation of what she had envisioned a person seeing from within the majesty of her husband’s forge.
   
Juliana’s mind parted the perspective.  She went from being her own eyes as an onlooker in her vision to having a tasteless, soundless, odorless, and numb side view.  With such limitation, she knew that she was seeing herself in the future.
    
Her future self sat in anticipation when two male intruders entered the living room by the front door.  They had the same gait and build of the once passed-out, robed figures from the cavern.  A corner of Juliana’s mind recalled Gifre’s mention of sending them for her.
    
Her future self stood to back away from the invaders.  One of them, with blond hair and dark eyebrows, quickly advanced forward to grab her by the neck.  He had her pinned against the fireplace, still strangling her.

The baby’s curious stare materialized before Juliana's lowered eyes, signaling her mind’s return to her present reality.  The last cycle of the mobile tune stopped in mid-play.  The car seat had fallen from her hand the short distance to the hardwood floor. . . .

Thank you J.D. for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about J.D. Richard and her books, please visit her website.

**Air Novella Giveaway**

We are giving away winner's choice of one large-print paperback or one PDF of Air by J.D. Richard to each of two contest winners.

To enter, please comment on this post including your email address so we may contact you if you win.  You do not have to follow or subscribe to From the Shadows to enter.  This giveaway is international (ebook copies) with the choice of paperback copies open to the US, UK, and Canada.  Giveaway ends February 23rd midnight EST.

Q+A with Angela Corbett (Eternal Starling)

Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Angela Corbett!  Angela is the author of Eternal Starling.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Angela:  I started writing poetry when I was eight. I wrote poetry and short stories until I took a journalism class in high school and fell in love with writing the news. I worked as a journalist in high school and college, but after college I realized how much I’d missed writing fiction and started working on novels again. I got the idea for Eternal Starling in 2008, wrote it in 3 months, then spent a year revising and a year querying before I was offered a three-book deal with Pendrell Publishing.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Angela:  I love reading paranormal and fantasy novels because the world provides a different type of escapism for me than contemporary novels. When I want to escape and get completely lost in another world, I read and write paranormal.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Angela:  Well, I’d like to be immortal like a vampire, but wouldn’t be a fan of drinking blood. I like paranormal characters that have other talents as well, like Mercy Thompson. Not only can she shift into a coyote, she also has amazing martial arts skills and she’s smart and funny.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Angela:  The Emblem of Eternity trilogy is about true love and soul mates, but even more than that, it’s a story about who Evie is, and how her choices will affect herself and the people in her life. I wanted to write a story about love that transcends time, and I wanted it to be different from other books I’d read, so I came up with a mythology of my own. People who like love triangles, lots of romance, and strong heroines will enjoy Eternal Starling.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Angela:  Evie-Amanda Crew. She looks a lot like Evie in my head, and I think she would do a great job showing Evie’s blunt, sarcastic personality. Alex-Dave Giuntoli. Alex is intense and loyal. I think Dave Giuntoli would play Alex well. Emil-Jonathon Groff. I think he’d do a good job showing the combination of Emil’s sexy, flirty nature, and his mysteriousness.

Eternal Starling (Emblem of Eternity #1)

A love so strong, even eternity can’t separate them.

Evie Starling has lived a relatively uneventful life hanging out with friends, gossiping about boys, and driving her 1966 Mustang. All of that changes when she moves to Gunnison, Colorado, to start college and meets two mysterious men.

For centuries, Alex Night and Emil Stone have yearned for Evie—but they each have their own reasons for wanting to be with her. When both men claim to be her soul mate and tell her about an unbelievable past, Evie learns that she’s not the person she thought she was. Soon, Evie finds herself in the middle of an age-old battle between the Amaranthine Society—the soul protectors, and the Daevos Resistance—the soul destroyers. With a past she doesn’t understand, and a future rife with danger, Evie has to decide who she can trust. But Alex and Emil aren’t the only ones who want Evie, and her soul is about to become the rope in an eternal tug-of-war.


Thank you Angela for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Angela Corbett and her books, please visit her website.