Ellwyn Autumn | April, 2019

Karen J Mossman & Karina Kantas’ Toxic

Available on Amazon!

Two authors, two versions of the same book in two exciting genres of fiction. Karen J Mossman and Karina Kantas present, Toxic.

Blurb
Lexi isn’t your normal Malok. She craves adventure and freedom from the mundane life forced upon her. 100 years ago, the first drop of acid rain fell. Maloks fled to the mountains, building a new way of life—a desolate life—a life Lexi knows all too well.

Lexi has a plan, her ticket out of this miserable existence, becoming a ranger. Aron, her partner, believes she’s not strong enough to fight alongside him. Lexi will stop at nothing, no matter what the danger, to achieve her independence, even if that means defying him.

Amidst everything, Marcus, Lexi’s childhood best friend makes a sudden return. Before she can rejoice in a reunion, her happiness is crushed when she sees Mae, the bully that had terrorized her in her teens. Marcus was aware of the mental abuse Lexi had suffered and yet the person she loved and the person she hated the most, stand before her, together.
“A powerful dystopian thriller that captures the heart and imagination”.

“A romantic, thrilling read…..Karen dares to challenge relationships bringing them together in troubled times….thougthful and though- provoking.”

“I was fascinated by Stephanie Meyer’s book The Host, where people lived in mountains. This was a world I wanted to explore as a setting for Toxic. Living in a close environment as this, there has to be rules. Those rules don’t always have to be fair. This gave me scope to add intrigue and animosity between my characters.”
Karen J Mossman
Buy Links: https://books2read.com/KJMToxic

Karen J Mossman

Karen J Mossman comes from a family of journalists with her grandfather and uncle having been newspaper editors. Further back a 2x grandfather wrote for his local paper and also published a book based on those articles. Karen is the only one to go into fiction.

All Karen’s books are in collections – The Decade Series, Electric Eclectic and Just Stories.’ She is also a founder member of Electric Eclectic books and has four tales in that collection.

Karen is also an avid blogger and book reviewer, “It’s especially important to me to have feedback from my readers, so please leave a review when you have read one of my books.”

Karen lives on the beautiful Isle of Anglesey off the North Wales coast with her husband and two dogs. She has two grown up children, who were both born on the same day, two years apart.

https://www.facebook.com/karensmagicofstories/
author.to/KarenMossman
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9814921.Karen_J_Mossman
https://twitter.com/KarenJMoss

https://magicofstories.net/
http://karenmossman.weebly.com/

Karina Kantas

Karina Kantas is the author of the popular MC thriller series, OUTLAW and the loved romantic fantasy duology, Illusional Reality.

She also writes short stories and when her imagination is working overtime, she writes thought-provoking dark flash fiction.
There are many layers to Karina’s writing style and voice, as you will see in her flash fiction collection, Heads & Tales and in UNDRESSED she opens up more to her fans, giving them another glimpse into her warped mind.

When Karina isn’t busy working on her next bestseller, she’s a publicist, author manager and VA. She’s also the host of the popular radio show, Author Assist on the Artist First Radio Network.

http://bit.ly/FBFPKK – FB fan page
http://bit.ly/INSTKK – Instagram
http://bit.ly/TwittKK – Twitter
http://bit.ly/BLOGKK – Website
http://bit.ly/KKGRE – Goodreads

“A sensual, erotic read…Karina dares to figure out the nature of passion…thoughtful and thought-provoking.”
“It was a pleasure to read an erotic story that had an actual plot. The genre itself is probably the most misunderstood. The plot drives an erotic story and the sex just adds to the enticing nature of it. You’ve done a great job building a world for your reader. “
Buy Link – https://books2read.com/ToxicAE

“Toxic is based in a future world where acid rain forces the people, the Maloks to build their cities inside mountains for protection. What is also amazing is this book has two versions, the romantic and the erotic. In both books the story focuses on a female Malok called Lexi, who is determined to become a Ranger and help society guard against the Outcasts. Only Lexi has little support, even from her own boyfriend, Aron. Mix in a childhood sweetheart, in the shape of Marcus, and the unexpected arrival of Mae, Lexi’s childhood bully and things begin to get interesting. Toxic is the story of Lexi’s determination to satisfy her ambitions, both professionally and personally. The Erotic Toxic tells the same story but delves deeper into Lexi’s sexuality and passions. Whichever Toxic you chose, you find yourself living the fantasy.”

Excerpt

“Lexi,” greeted the young medic.
“Hey, Sha.” Lexi smiled.

She walked past Sha and sat down on a stool, took a sterile cloth, and wiped away the dead skin, causing her to take an intake of breath. No matter how many times she had been burnt there was no way to get used to that kind of pain.

As she reached for a jar of Dozax paste, Sha spoke. “You’ve been outside again, haven’t you?”

Lexi didn’t answer at first, as she felt the wonderful relief as the paste went to work, taking away the pain and healing the burn. The skin immediately started to regenerate and within moments all that was left on her hand was a green coloured dye, which would eventually fade. Still, Lexi needed to wear a patch that had a tiny spot of Dozax cream to complete the treatment.

It was dangerous for any Malok to use Dozax in its pure form. Everything had to be diluted.

“You are such a strange Malok,” Sha said, shaking her head.
Lexi smiled. “I can’t help it. I’d go crazy if I was cooped up here forever.”
“Has your ranger training started?” Sha asked.

Lexi’s grin was wide. “Not yet. At the end of the week,” she answered, still not believing she had been accepted into the academy. “Okay, I’m done,” she said and then jumped off the stool. “See you tomorrow.”

“Oh wait. You have four inoculations to do tomorrow.”
“Four?” Lexi questioned.
“Yes, some Maloks arrived last night with the new commander.”
“Oh, yes I forgot about Jow. So sad. He was nice as a commander, and so approachable and happy all the time, you know?”
“Yeah,” Sha agreed and then giggled. “Remember when he came and said he wanted to learn basic aid? Oh my, he was so funny.”

Lexi laughed as she remembered that day and how he always made her smile. “See even now, just thinking of the late commander makes us happy. He left a great legacy behind.”
“He sure did. Let’s just hope the new one can live up to that.”
“Okay, I’m off. See you tomorrow, Sha.”
“I will have the Dozax jabs ready for you in the incubator,” Sha called.
“Super! Thanks,” Lexi mumbled.

Lexi still couldn’t get that sad day out of her mind. She even had to visit the Charmer to talk and get closure. The loss of Commander Jow was hard for everyone. A party of fifteen went out that day and only two returned. Lexi wished for peace every day, but the only way that would happen was if the Outcasts and the Maloks agreed to share.

She shook her head. Of course, that would never happen, she was kidding herself. Outcasts needed the Terra leaves to feed their addiction. Never mind that this amazing plant could cure pain, protect the body from germs, Illness and normal medical problems that come from age and a weary body.

She couldn’t imagine how life used to be when young people would die, because they didn’t know the secret of the plant and the properties it possessed. So, sad, she thought, as she quickly made her way back to the residence she shared with Aron.

Everyone assumed that Lexi and Aron would marry and settle down. Her friends certainly thought so, and at the start, so did Lexi. Only now she had woken up, and the adventurous Lexi wanted so much more from life and becoming a ranger was a step in the right direction.

Buy Links
Toxic Adult Edition – https://books2read.com/ToxicAE
Toxic Romance Edition – https://books2read.com/KJMToxic

Karina and Karen and proud to associate Toxic with Electric, Eclectic books.

Photo courtesy of: Karen J. Mossman

Christen Stovall’s Song of Souls Trilogy

Please Note: The above picture is not the official cover for Boundless.

Soulbound

Soulfire

Interview With Author Christina Francine

Christina Francine’s motto is, imagination is key. Not only for artists but for everyone. It’s the key to our survival.

As an author, teacher and researcher, Christina infuses her beliefs into everything she does and hopes that others will get the message she’s helping to spread:

Students are individuals who crave liberation from formulaic curriculums and standardized tests. Like every generation whose come before them, they need to broaden their minds through creativity, trial and error and investigation; not regurgitate pre-packaged lessons that lack spontaneity, originality and FUN!

Christina enjoys cultivating medicinal herbs and is an Adjunct English Instructor at The University at Buffalo.

Now that I have introduced you to Christina, let’s get to know her a little better.

Hello, Christina, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.

Thank you for having me.

Why did you become a teacher?

I’ve always felt a calling to make a difference and teaching allows me to do that every day.

What grade do you teach?

I teach a wide range of students from pre-k to college level, but mostly academic college writing.

How has your teaching experience influenced your writing?

Not only does teaching remind me of how difficult some things are to learn, but also that different people learn in different ways.

My daughters remind me I over explain sometimes, but it is because not everyone understands due to my style of teaching.

As a result, I often have to cut back after writing because I’ve put too much there, over explained. I’d say much of what I write is not only for young people, people but for those working with them.

I want people to understand and to remember how it is to be young and struggle. Many of my stories reflect this.

What inspired you to become a writer?

Since I was little, my imagination has been big, but I suppose the biggest jump into writing stories down was when my 4th grade teacher asked us to write a story.

That story turned out to be the one I revised recently about a talking pen. It’s a Reader, Level #3 story for beginning readers and it will be released sometime Fall 2019.

Imagination is also where invention lies, and the world has a lot of problems that imagination can solve.

Which genres do you write?

There are a few: Fantasy, Romance, and Mystery. And mainly for these audiences: Children & Young Adult (YA).

What do you find most challenging writing for your genre?

When I write, I get “into” my characters’ heads, and have to experience the pain, difficulties, and frustrations each goes through. Doing so makes the writing more authentic.

What are you working on now?

A fantasy novel meant for young adults about a dream keeper for Earth’s children who falls in love with a musician, even though she is not allowed a mate and jeopardizes her health and some of her young charges.

The story is under consideration by a big name publisher. I just completed another picture book and a mystery chapter book for middle grade.

How many books have you written?

I’ve written six and two will be released this fall. I’m hoping the fantasy is next.

There is a non-fiction work I’ve done a lot of research for. The Journal of Literacy Innovation, an academic journal, published in the Spring 2016.

The analysis on why students across the nation are at Basic level as opposed to Proficient or Advanced after examining the Nation’s Report Card.

The work argues writing is not where it could be nationally for a few reasons, the largest being a prompt for a right formula/answer as opposed to following individual voice. There is too much focus on state tests and not enough on imagination.
https://journalofliteracyinnovation.weebly.com/uploads/1/5/9/4/15949950/jliapril2016issuefinal.pdf

What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?

Reading my work to children and watching their reaction. Them connecting play and imagination to invention.

What advice would you give to authors just starting out?

It’s been said often, but it’s true, don’t give up. Whatever you want, hang in there.

Find other writers who support your effort and understand what you’re trying to accomplish. Get feedback on what you write.

What message are you sharing in your books?

Everyone matters and has something to contribute.

When you’re not writing, where can we find you?

With family, gardening, or working on material for students.

What are your favorite books?

There are too many to name, but I do like to give these picture books at baby showers: Wherever You Are by Nancy Tillman and Love You Forever by Robert Munsch and Sheila MaGraw.

What are your favorite TV shows/movies?

TV shows:
I like sit-coms such as The Big Bang, Young Sheldon, and Everybody Loves Raymond because they make me laugh.

Movies:
Lord of the Rings, The Matrix Series, Men In Black, City of Angels, You’ve Got Mail, and Somewhere In Time.

Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?

I believe individual learning style may solve world problems.

A movie producer wants to turn your book into a movie and you get to make a cameo. What would you do in the movie?

I’d be Emily’s kindergarten teacher in Special Memory on her first day of school.

An elf named 12-25 approaches you. He’s sneezing, wheezing, coughing and there’s a strange tattoo of a snoring dog on his cheek. What do you do?

I’d say “Bless you,” and hand him a couple of tissues.

Do you have a website/Facebook page?

Website: https://ChritinaFrancine.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristinaKenni
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafw/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christina.francine.3

Where can we find your books?

Waldorf Publishing and later this fall most other outlets such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.
www.waldorfpublishing.com
* Special Memory pre-orders available at:
https://www.waldorfpublishing.com/collections/2019/products/special-memory
Release date is Sept. 15th, 2019
⦁ Mr. Inker the Talking Pen Finds a Home (pre-orders coming soon). Keep checking Waldorf Publishing for now.

Thank you, Christina, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success with your work and lots of luck!

Interview With Author Bonita Maria Gutierrez

Bonita Maria Gutierrez is a storyteller through and through. She began her storytelling journey as an actress, then utilizing the narrative skills this profession provided, transitioned into writing with relative ease.

Don’t let these creative outlets fool you into thinking Bonita is a sedentary creative. She is quite the opposite, practicing martial arts and jogging regularly.

Now that I’ve introduced you to Bonita let’s get to know her a little better.

Hello, Bonita, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.

Thank you for having me.

What inspired you to be a writer?

Funny, I wasn’t always (at least in my own mind) a writer. I always had stories in my head but decided to take the acting route. My husband is a screenwriter, and from time to time, I would pitch him my ideas.

He always thought I had a unique voice and encouraged me to write my own scripts and get my work out into the world. I eventually dipped my toe into writing with my short film Cantar.

I even did the festival circuit. But it wasn’t until my friend (and Empyrean Press collaborator), Camilla Ochlan, approached me with, The Werewolf Whisperer, idea that I began seriously writing.

Is writing your full-time profession?

Right now, I split my time between writing and running my entertainment business Nemesis Kitten Entertainment. But, I am starting to feel the acting itch again.

How long have you been writing?

I wrote my first screenplay (unproduced) over fifteen years ago. But I’ve only been in the author biz since 2012.

How many books have you written?

Under the Empyrean Press banner, I’ve co-authored five books (two main novels and three novellas) in THE WEREWOLF WHISPERER series with a sixth on the way.

Which genre do you write?

I write urban fantasy with a bit of science fiction and humor mixed in.

What do you find most challenging writing for this genre?

The wonderful thing about fantasy is that you can let your imagination run wild, create worlds that never existed. But when you add in elements of reality — which to me is what defines the urban fantasy genre — you have to build a world that the audience not only recognizes but also relates to.

In THE WEREWOLF WHISPERER a virus is unleashed in Los Angeles, giving rise to the werewolf apocalypse. Of course werewolves are fantasy (or are they?), but the premise of a bio-agent causing cataclysmic events around the world is steeped in reality. It’s a fine line to draw. One that requires a lot of research…and believe me, we do a lot of research.

What are you working on now?

Camilla and I are feverishly working on BLOOD & BONES: The Werewolf Whisperer Book 3. And as an exclusive to our BEASTY BITES newsletter subscribers, we just put out a six-part serialized novella about one of our favorite characters — KAI.

And we’ve heard our readers’ many howls for a hard copy of THE WEREWOLF WHISPERER. So, we’re excited to announce that Book 1 will be available in paperback this December!

How has acting influenced your writing?

For me, acting and writing go hand in hand. They’re both forms of storytelling. My years of training, performing and reading countless scripts have taught me how to analyze characters and breakdown stories. And it’s through acting that I’ve learned the importance of good dialogue.

For a character to be relatable, he or she needs to sound real. When I’m creating a character, I have to hear that person’s voice to understand how he or she thinks and feels. Once I know that, I can write their story.

How long have you been practicing martial arts?

The martial arts are an essential part of my life, and I’ve been training off and on for almost two decades. I started out in Jeet Kune Do Kung Fu (Bruce Lee’s art), and recently earned my Black Belt in Kickboxing-MMA. I also train in Kali Eskrima (stick and knife fighting).

Does this also influence your writing? How so?

Absolutely. With THE WEREWOLF WHISPERER, our main characters are formidable women who are be able to handle themselves in very dangerous situations. My firsthand knowledge in martial arts allows me to create exciting action-packed scenes that are still grounded in reality.

What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?

I never thought I’d be a writer let alone an author. The Werewolf Whisperer gave me the confidence to grow in new ways as an artist. And finding this once untapped, creative part of myself has been extremely rewarding. That fact that readers like my work and call it “exciting,” “compelling,” and “fun,” is icing on the cake.

What advice would you give to authors just starting out?

Write and keep writing. And when the words don’t come (which is an inevitability), write down anything that pops into your head.

Read books; listen to music, clean house, or exercise (I get some of my best ideas jogging down the street) to get your creative juices flowing again.

You never know where you’re inspiration will come from, so be open. And above all, relax. Don’t be so hard on yourself if you’re not spewing out 2,000 words a day.

Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?

I’m a huge Sci-fi and Fantasy fan. Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Star Wars are my jam. Mix in a little Kung Fu and you’ve got my blog — Bonita’s Geeky Blog-Fu!

I write regular movie recommendations, highlight my favorite books and feature a little butt kicking for good measure. If you’re into all things geek-a-licious, you can find me at: https://bonitasgeekyblogfu.wordpress.com

And if you’re in to SF&F, Camilla and I have our Empyrean Press Facebook page where we share our favorite movies, T.V. shows and books. Come join our community. https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpyreanPress/

What message are you sharing in your books?

The overall theme of The Werewolf Whisperer is, “Evolve or die.” You have to be able to adapt and never, never, never give up. And when you get down to the nitty-gritty the thing that keeps you going is family.

What are your favorite books?

I love to read. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn and Shakespeare’s Hamlet (I know it’s not a book, but it’s my all-time favorite play) are tops on my list.

I also love listening to audiobooks (especially when I’m walking my dog Loki). I just finished Pierce Brown’s amazing Red Rising series on Audible.

I’m also digging Greg Rucka’s comic book series, LAZARUS, and Kieron Gillen’s THE WICKED + DIVINE.

And in the spirit of supporting my fellow indie others, I try to read as much of their work as I can. I just finished Vanessa Ravel’s “deliciously demented” horror anthology DEMON DANCE.

What are your favorite movies, TV shows?

To quote the great Bill Murray, “Star Wars, nothing but Star Wars!”

But really, I have so many: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Supernatural, Game of Thrones, Alien, Terminator, West Side Story, To Sir, With Love just to name a few.

When you’re not writing where can we find you?

If I’m not writing, I’m training at NoHoMMA or jogging down the street.

Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?

I love connecting with readers and my fellow authors. Find me here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpyreanPress/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BonitzMG

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonitamg/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/bonita-gutierrez

Bonita’s Geeky Blog-Fu! Blog: https://bonitasgeekyblogfu.wordpress.com

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Bonita-Gutierrez/e/B 00 OFB 9 ZVK/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0 /+BonitaGutierrez

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/angelcakes 88

Where can we find your books?

The Werewolf Whisperer series:

Website: http://www.werewolfwhisperer.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/werewolfwhisperer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wwwhisperer

THE WEREWOLF WHISPERER series is available on Amazon. Free on Kindle Unlimited.

Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.)

The Werewolf Whisperer (Book 1)

US: https://www.amazon.com/Werewolf-Whisperer-Book-ebook/dp/B 00 OAKIPX 0

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B 00 OAKIPX 0 /

The Alpha & Omega (Book 2)

US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B 016 PIZWXA/

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpha-Omega-Werewolf-Whisperer-Book-ebook/dp/B 016 PIZWXA/

Novellas

BEAST NAVIDAD

US: https://www.amazon.com/Beast-Navidad-Werewolf-Whisperer-Novella-ebook/dp/B 00 QEJAP 60 /

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beast-Navidad-Werewolf-Whisperer-Novella-ebook/dp/B 00 QEJAP 60 /

BEAST OUT OF HELL

US: https://www.amazon.com/Beast-Out-Hell-Werewolf-Whisperer-ebook/dp/B 01 II 8 CJDG

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beast-Hell-Werewolf-Whisperer-Novella-ebook/dp/B 01 II 8 CJDG

NO BEAST SO FIERCE

US: https://www.amazon.com/No-Beast-So-Fierce-Whisperer-ebook/dp/B 07 HLXQN 9 R/

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Beast-So-Fierce-Whisperer-ebook/dp/B 07 HLXQN 9 R/

Sign up for the Beasty Bites Newsletter and get a FREE Werewolf Whisperer novella: https://mailchi.mp/60 e 8 dc 19 ce 80 /beasty-bites

Thank you, Bonita, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success in the future and lots of luck!

Lynn Lamb’s Dissonance of the Dead

Available Now on Amazon! Dissonance of the Dead

Synopsis

Nature cycles through her paces: earth, air, water, and fire. I suspect there is a connection between these elements and the hereafter.

Propelled forward by a promise, my fellow spirits and I wander the world of the living searching for our purpose.

Will delving into the metaphysical side of death, the science of the afterlife, provide the answers? Maybe if I can understand why I continue to exist, I will be able to rest in peace. That is the goal—the ultimate finale—sans encores.

The soundtrack of my death snakes through my story. On the plane of the dead, I continue to reconcile this existence with the off-kilter dissonance of the ever-present music resounding in my mind.

Prologue: Nature’s Elemental Truths

Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the boogeyman, our questioning of truth begins the moment we uncover the lies.

Woven within the fabric of life, lies take on an existence of their own. Snap out the cloth; let mythology fall like dead leaves in the autumn forest. What remains is truth, green, musky, slippery. Wrap yourself within truth’s folds, for there is nothing warmer on a cold day. Have faith in what is real—the purity of existence.

When you accept the fundamental elements of nature, there is no reason to create comforting, ritualistic lore. Develop a wanderlust and experience for yourself all the magic surrounding your senses when they are exposed to the physical realm. Drink it in; allow it to slip down your throat. Caress it with curious fingers. Embrace the deepest level of tactile sensation. Listen for the dissonant music emanating from all life.

For the unafraid, heaven exists in nature’s truths.
I feel the honesty of life because my heart plays the dissonance of the dead.

Interview With Author William Howard

William Howard and I have known each other for a few years.

We belong to the same writer’s group and sometimes we share a table at author events. William is a warm and caring person with a wonderful imagination.

He pays special attention to his readers and is eager to speak with them about his fantasy novel or any fantastical story.

He loves words, world building, and creating colorful characters.

Now that I’ve introduced you to William, let’s get to know him a little better.

Hello, William, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.

Thank you for having me.

What inspired you to be a writer?

I had a few good school friends when I was growing up in Northeast Philadelphia but there were many times I played alone in my room. My sister and I were latch-key children so my parents preferred that we remain close to home.

When I came home from school, I finished my homework quickly since my elementary school career occurred in the 70s long before the era of lengthy homework assignments.

After completing my work, I would play with my action figures, read, and watch television until my parents came home.

During these hours of play; something I believe is a luxury that has sadly become unavailable to the current generation, I would make up stories for my mixed cast of Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Star Wars action figures.

When I entered my early teens, I wrote some of these stories down as fan fiction. In addition, I discovered that my fertile imagination, which my father referred to as my excessive daydreaming, produced original stories about werewolves, robots, Martians, and superheroes.

Is writing your full-time profession?

Sadly, I am still in the process of, hopefully, becoming an overnight success which someone has told me takes a great number of years.

I received a glimmer of hope when my sister spoke to Susan Stoker about my writing. When my sister informed Ms. Stoker that I was a writer, she told my sister I was on the right track, not to give up my day job, and to take advantage of every opportunity to write in my spare time.

For now, I work as a Special Educator in a preschool classroom for the special needs agency, Northeast Growth and Development.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been making up stories since I was 8 years old.

My mother gave me her manual typewriter when I was 13; after my father purchased an electric typewriter for the household. On this old typewriter, I started a few novels I came close to finishing.

It wasn’t until I joined the Neshaminy Writers Group in 2015 that I found the determination and persistence to finish my first novel.

How many books have you written?

I have written a single novel, The Eye of Hermes, and hope to write additional novels within that same literary universe.

Which genre do you write for?

Fantasy

What do you find most challenging about writing for this genre?

Making the characters believable and sympathetic amid fantastical events occurring around them.

What are you working on now?

I am working on a novel entitled Marigold, which takes place in the not-too-distant future. It‘s about an android named, Marigold, who has been sheltered her entire life.

She wakes one day to find that her creator has disappeared, and that someone has accused her of a murder she didn’t commit.

What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?

Having a small slice of celebrity as a published novelist; especially when people ask me, “did you write this book?” or “are you the author?”

However, connecting with other published authors, as well as aspiring authors, and learning about their literary journey has been even more rewarding.

What advice would you give to authors just starting out?

Keep writing every day. Even if you only write a page or two, a paragraph, or a single sentence. It will bring you that much closer to having a finished story.

Also, always care a notebook with you or use the note section on your phone because you never know when inspiration will strike.

Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?

If you meet me in person, I might inadvertently give you detailed information about my literary universe.

I’ve noticed that when this occurs I suddenly see a confused look, come over a readers’ face. If this occurs, my advice is to provide the complement, “that sounds extremely interesting,” and purchase one of my novels so you can find out more fully what I was talking about.

What message are you sharing in your books?

Tolerance. There are people in this world who don’t look like you, don’t think like you, and may live their lives in a way completely different from you, but that doesn’t change the fact that they are as human and imperfect as anyone of us.

I hope through my literary work people might stop to think, that given how brief our time on Earth is, it is more beneficial to celebrate the commonalities among others rather than searching out reasons to hate complete strangers.

Who are your favorite authors?

I am a huge fan of Frank Herbert, William S. Burroughs, Douglas Adams, Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Diana Gabaldon and Terry Pratchett.

What are your favorite movies, TV shows?

I gave up on TV because all the stuff I like never gets renewed. Still heartbroken over Timeless not getting renewed for a 3^rd season.

But if I was locked in a windowless room and had a remote control surgically implanted in my hand — you see how my mind works — then I’d probably watch The Walking Dead, Timeless, Maniac, Lost in Space (1967 and 2018), the X-Files, Star Trek and Dr. Who.

When you aren’t writing where can we find you?

Thinking about what I will write next, but at my day job working with preschoolers with special needs.

What inspires you?

Random acts of humanity and kindness. Thinking about how we are such a small part of the universe, but also that it is a miracle we are here at all.

Do you have a new release coming out soon?

Hopefully, my new novel, Marigold: the Chlorophyll Chronicles, will becoming out in early 2019.

Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?

Yes. My Facebook fan page is The Eye of Hermes: A Minerva Novel by William Howard, http://www.amazon.com/author/howardwilliam, http://montag34.wix.com/website

http://www.facebook.com/theeyeofhermesnovel

http://montag34.wix.com/website

www.amazon.com/author/howardwilliam

www.barnesandnoble.com/theeyeofhermes

Where can we find your books?

Barnes and Noble.com, Amazon.com. Andorra Bookstore in New Hope, PA and Classic Books and Gifts in Trenton, NJ.

If you ever get down to Savannah, GA, there are copies of my novel at the historic E. Shaver bookstore on Bull street.

Thank you, William, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success and lots of luck!

Interview With Blogger Amy Bernal

Amy Bernal is an explorer. Every day she travels to different worlds through books, letting the words carry her on new and wonderful adventures.

Once she returns from these amazing experiences, she shares them with the world on her blog My Books My World.

Partially disabled, Amy finds joy in helping authors reach their dreams. She lives in Georgia with her husband.

Now that I’ve introduced you to Amy, let’s get to know her a little better.

Hello, Amy, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.

Thank you for having me.

What inspired you to be a blogger?

My inspiration to be a blogger is to help different authors that write in different genres to get more exposure to different readers.

As a reader, first, I love to know what is new. I have met New Authors whose books are just so amazing, all they need is more exposure.

Can you tell us a little about your blog My Books My World?

Yes, for the last two years I’ve been doing interviews with authors every Monday through Friday and sometimes on weekends. These authors tell us more about themselves and their books.

I try to showcase any books they talk about. The authors open up a little about their lives and what inspires them to write and how much their love of writing means to them.

What topics do you write about?

I write reviews on the books I have read, author interviews , author book releases and author cover reveals.

Is blogging your full-time profession?

Yes, I am partially disabled, so I feel as if this is my way to help others since I can’t work a full-time job. I love this, and I feel very fulfilled.

How long have you been blogging?

Over two two-and-a-half-years, but I have been working with authors for over five years now.

I have been a Personal Assistant with authors for five years. I love it!

Photo courtesy of: Free Photos; courtesy of: Pixabay

How many books have you reviewed?

Over 300 books and counting.

Which genres do you review?

I have reviewed ALL genres. After I have read 10 books that are paranormal then I go read a few fantasy then I move onto romance and so on. I must admit though that I have a love for paranormal.

What do you find most challenging reviewing for these genres?

As a reviewer there are books that, in my opinion, are lacking in a good story line. If I find a book that I feel is below a 2 star rating, I contact the author and let them know what I found and why I felt that it was below 2 stars.

I ask them if they’d like me to post that review or not. For me, I just want them to know and understand why I felt the way I did when reading their book.

If they’d like me to post the review, I will and if not, I still did my job of reviewing but just gave it to the author instead.

What are you reviewing now?

I just started reading The Rise of Fame by Shay Stone.

What has been your most rewarding experience since you started blogging?

Meeting new authors and new friendships.

What advice would you give to bloggers just starting out?

Just keep doing what you love that is rewarding in itself.

Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?

I have been through a lot in my life and reading has kept me sane. Books and authors have helped me continue to explore new and amazing worlds.

Words have taken me to places and have given me the courage to continue to move forward in my life. I have made some really great friendships with some authors and I am so grateful that I have them in my life.

Like I said earlier I have gone through many personal struggles in my life and without them and their words I don’t know where I’d be right now.

What message are you sharing in your blog?

I’m hoping that if anyone gets any message from my blog, it’s from the author interviews. They are the reason this blog keeps going.

They express to anyone and everyone, if they want to write KEEP GOING and DON’T GIVE UP. I think this can be said in every aspect in our lives.

What are your favorite books/authors?

Oh my. I have MANY. I am a big fan of Cassandra Clare. Her series The Infernal Devices is my FAVORITE.

I listened to them on Audible many times after I had brain surgery. Then I read them once more.

I also love Lisa Renee Jones. Her The Inside Out series is so close to my heart. I have read every single book she has written and in every book something always makes me want more.