Blog Tour: Surrender: The Ferryman and the Flame by Rhiannon Phaille

This virtual book tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.

Click HERE to see the tour schedule.

Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour.

It is my pleasure to feature:

Rhiannon Paille and Surrender.

Rhi has joined us for an interview.

? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I was twenty two by the time I came back to writer. I went through accountant at ten, singer at twelve, teacher at eighteen, and then writer.

? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?

I worked at the concession stands in the arena, mcdonald’s, a shoe store, a daycare, a restaurant, and a Tim Horton’s before I got married and had kids.

? How long does it take you to write a book?

A month, to a month and a half.

? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?

Music. I really need to find the best song so I can begin writing.

? How do you decide what you want to write about?

It decides me. I often don’t spend forever coming up with ideas, they find me, and eventually I’m like, “oh I guess you want me to write you down.” Then I do and those ideas vacate my mind.

? What books have most influenced your life?

The Hobbit, Wizard’s First Rule, The Mists of Avalon, and The Mortal Instruments Series.

? What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?

See spot run. It was a first year’s easy reading book. I saw spot run.

? What are you reading right now?

Nothing! Which is actually great for me.

? What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Watching too much tv . . .

? What is your favorite comfort food?

McDonald’s French fries with bbq and mayo mixed.

? What do you think makes a good story?

If a story could also be a news article, it’s a good story.

? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?

Cassandra Clare because her writing made me believe my writing was great.

? What book, if any, do you read over and over again?

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.

Fun random questions: 

·        dogs or cats? Cats and dogs.

·        Coffee or tea? Tea, I’m allergic to coffee

·        Dark or milk chocolate? Milk

·        Rocks or flowers? Neither

·        Night or day? Night

·        Favorite color? Green

·        Crayons or markers? Smelly markers

·        Pens or pencils? Pens

More About the Author:

Rhi was never a normal girl. Her life was an urban fantasy wrapped in a paranormal romance and served with a side of horror. To escape her everyday weirdness she began writing fantasy. She studied at U of Sedona and MIMT, obtaining a PhD in Metaphysical Science and Parapsychology. She’s married to a chef/comic book shop owner and she has a fondness for architecture. She frequents twitter and facebook, but if you really want to get to know her you should visit her site: www.yafantasyauthor.com

http://www.yafantasyauthor.com
http://www.twitter.com/rhiannonpaille
http://www.facebook.com/rhiannonpaille
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4653530.Rhiannon_Paille

SURRENDER
The Ferryman and The Flame Book 1
Rhiannon Paille

Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 978-1480029859
Number of pages: 402
Word Count: 100k
Cover Artist: Marc Wolfe www.marcwolfeart.com
Review copies available on Netgalley: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/show/id/21259

Book Description:
How far would you go to save everything you ever loved?

Kaliel was warned about her love for the Ferryman. One day he will marry the land and leave Avristar forever. She doesn't listen, and because of what she is-- a Flame-- one of nine apocalyptic weapons, she sparks a war. In a desperate attempt to save her home and her love, Kaliel tries to awaken Avred, not knowing she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16049030-surrender

Excerpt:

“Sorry I scared you,” he said.

            Kaliel pressed her lips to her knees, hoping she could hold in her emotions. “I’m not afraid of you.”

            Silence hung between them for awhile. He shifted on the cloak, the black tunic he wore shifting with him. He stretched his legs out, and Kaliel looked at his shin-high boots and breeches. He stole a glance at her turtle shell. “What are you afraid of?”

            Kaliel stood. “Happy endings.” She didn’t know how else to explain it. She had contemplated the parable so many times it was exhausting. It didn’t matter which path she took—neither of them seemed very appealing. She let the mist soak her sleeves and stick to her skin. She heard Krishani behind her before he ran his hand down her back making shivers run up her spine. He stayed there, a foot away, and she wished he would move closer, envelope her in his arms. He wasn’t supposed to talk to her. This had to be wrong. What would the brotherhood think?

            “Happy endings?” he whispered. He sounded both unsure and nervous. “What do you mean?”

            “What if someone comes?” She was worried Lord Istar would burst through the trees and find them in this compromising awkwardness. It seemed more taboo than practically drowning in the lake.

            Krishani let out a breath. “Nobody ever comes here.”

            Kaliel closed her eyes. “You come here.”

            Krishani took a step forward and she could feel the heat radiating off him. “All the time.”

She didn’t answer, instead listening to the sound of the falls. Moonlight glinted off the flecks of water. She thought about the orb of ice he created for her. She hadn’t been able to do anything close to that awesome.

“What are you thinking?” he asked again.

She closed her eyes and felt her energy shift; like it had the day she went to the Great Oak. Heat rushed through her as she leaned back, trying to feel him, but not trying to force it if it wasn’t what he wanted. It was clear to her he cared, but she was so worried about whether or not she should let him.

“My parable,” she whispered.

            He went rigid, his hand sliding down her upper forearm. “What did the Oak say to you?”

            She shook her head. “Never mind, I have to figure it out. Both paths seem so dreary.”
            “You seem too sweet to have a bad parable.”

She didn’t want to talk about the nightmares of the Flames, the parable, the fact the Brotherhood would disapprove of him touching her. It felt so natural; the last few moons had been lonely without him. She couldn’t explain what she felt, but she couldn’t watch him marry the land and leave the island.

            “But I do,” she said. She drew her hands instinctively to her chest, her elbows digging into her ribs. He dropped his hand as she turned, and buried her face in his chest. He reluctantly ran his hands through her hair, letting them rest on the small of her back.

            “I thought about you every day,” he said as she pressed her cheek into his tunic.

            She smiled against his shirt. “And I thought about you.”

            “Promise me something?” He wasn’t holding her, not really, their bodies weren’t pressed together and the inches between them made Kaliel feel cold.  

            “What?”

            “You’ll find a happy ending.”

            “What if I can’t?”

            He pulled back and brushed his thumb across her cheek. “Promise me you will.” His eyes met hers and his jaw dropped. His hand paused, cupping her face in his palm. He held her gaze, her heart beating hard. Before she had time to answer, he pressed his lips against hers. She didn’t expect him to do that and it was better than she imagined. She came to life under him, kissing him back with unyielding passion that made him pull away to seemingly catch his breath.

            Kaliel’s sadness drained away as he broke from her lips and then cupped her face with both hands and kissed her again, pressing the length of his body against her. His kisses made her feel light and giddy, like she could float into the sky. She slid her hands up his chest and looped them around his neck. There was swimming in the lake and losing her breath and then there was this. Being out of breath with him was like drowning in a sea of happiness. He could keep her prisoner forever and she’d never complain. He pulled away again, and wound his arms around her waist, trapping her against him. His lips found hers again, rough and inexperienced, but strong and satisfying.

She opened her mouth and his tongue grazed hers, warmth spreading from her heart to the rest of her body, making her tingle. She smiled against his lips.

“I missed you.” She tried to steady her breathing.

Krishani shook his head and put his hands on either side of her face. “This is all I want. This and nothing else, ever.” His mouth covered hers again. He pressed himself against her and she sighed. It felt like she had known him her entire life and even longer, if longer even existed.

Images appeared behind her eyelids—the shape of a boy and a girl wearing gaudy crowns on their heads. They were painted into parchment, but they were blurry. She was too elated by Krishani and his lips on hers to record the images, but they seemed familiar.

And then everything changed. Krishani pushed his lips against hers one last time and she felt the shift in her energy dissipate. It was as though all the joy evaporated, replaced by intense fear. She pushed him away and tried to understand the pounding in her heart that made her want to break in half.

Bloom the weed of temptation.

He looked confused and shocked. Without a word, she turned and fled towards the Elmare Castle.  

Blog Tour: Underneath by Jes Young (Giveaway too!)

This blog tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.

Click HERE to see the tour schedule.

Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour.

It is my pleasure to feature:

Jes Young and Underneath.

About the Author:

After graduating from Emerson College with a BFA in creative writing, Jes Young was a copywriter at Random House (Ballantine Books and Crown Publishing Group) for nearly ten years. Currently she is the development manager of a small non-profit and the mother of two children under the age of ten. Her writing is done primarily between the hours of 11 p.m and 3 a.m.

My blog: http://www.JesYoung.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jesyoung3.tab

Twitter: @JesYoungWrites

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jesyoungwrites/

Guest Post:
A Tale of Fried Foods, Definitions & the Improper Use of Office Furniture


"So what is urban fantasy anyway?” Bill asked before popping a tater tot into his mouth. “And what’s paranormal romance? Are they the same thing?"

“Um…no,” I replied hesitantly. “Not exactly.”

“Well what’s the difference?”

That’s a really good question. And I have to admit / hate to admit that even though I write urban fantasy, I have no idea how to explain the difference. Urban fantasy, the kind I write and the kind I read seems to have an awful lot in common with paranormal romance.

If you ask the experts, by which I mean wikipedia.com, they’ll tell you: “Urban fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy defined by place; the fantastic narrative has an urban setting. Many urban fantasies are set in contemporary times and contain supernatural elements."

Wikipedia describes paranormal romance as “a type of speculative fiction, paranormal romance focuses on romance and includes elements beyond the range of scientific explanation, blending together themes from the genres of traditional fantasy, science fiction, or horror.”

Does that clear things up for you? No? Yeah, not for me either.

Carrie Vaughn, an author who writes (among other things) a series of novels about a werewolf named Kitty, has written a great article about urban fantasy, its characteristics, and its origins. I fully recommend you read the entire article but I’ll tell you that for Carrie, urban fantasy must have a kick-ass heroine. She says, "We also have a generation who grew up after first and second wave feminism, who watched the Lynda Carter Wonder Woman and Lindsay Wagner in The Bionic Woman and Charlie’s Angels at young, impressionable ages. Who also grew up with Ellen Ripley and Sarah Conner. Who took it entirely for granted that women could be heroes and kick a lot of ass while doing so."

For UF author Tracy Cooper-Posey the genre is defined by wordiness. She says, "Urban Fantasy is mostly about the back story. The history. While the romance reader wants to know about the romance, dammit."

My books have a kick-ass heroine and as the series goes on, Tab keeps getting tougher and tougher - mostly because she has no choice. They also have a complicated back story full of intrigue and curses and prophecies and murder plots and a war between Light and Dark. So it seems Tab and I meet the basic criteria for urban fantasy anyway. (Huge relief. Huge.)

Which brings me back to Bill. He wanted to know the difference between the two and he was quickly running out of tater tots. So I took a sip of my Diet Coke and said, “Urban fantasy is the combination of fantastic elements, like elves or fairies, and realistic settings, like elves or fairies who live in New York City and work at the New York Times. If it’s a paranormal romance, they have sex on the desk.”

That about sums it up, don’t you think?

Now it’s time for you to educate me, readers. What’s your take on Urban Fantasy? What’s the separation line for you? Do you love UF but hate PNR? Stop by and tell me all about it in the comments.

Underneath

Princess of Twilight and Dawn Book Two

By Jes Young

Six months ago, when her long-hidden heritage came to light, Tab Bennett reluctantly let go of her past and embraced her future as an Elvish princess on the cusp of her gifts and the edge of her destiny. She never wanted a fairy tale life, but as the daughter of the Dark King and the Light Queen, that’s exactly what she got.

Raised in exile away from the kingdom of the Inbetween, Tab has never even met the parents who ruined her life. Her mother is dead, but Tab’s father, Daniel, is alive and well, the mad ruler of the kingdom of the Underneath. He’s made it clear he wants to meet her and now that she knows all the sadness and heartache in her life can be traced directly to the Dark king’s door, Tab wants to meet him too. After all, it's because of him that the first twenty-five years of her life were a lie. It’s his fault she gave her heart to Robbin when she should have been saving it for Alex, the prince who is destined to be her Homecoming. But, most importantly, King Daniel is the one responsible for her mother’s suicide and her sisters’ murders.

Now Tab wants justice – but she’ll settle for revenge and Finnegan Blackthorn, an Elvish warrior with secrets of his own, is going to help her get it. Together, they’ll embark on the dangerous journey to her father’s stronghold in the kingdom Underneath. Once she's there, far away from the Light in which she was raised, Tab will be forced to confront the seductive nature of Darkness and her own potential to truly become her father’s daughter.

Excerpt:

Unless you’ve spent the night in a cave in the Underneath, way below the crust of the earth, down where the sun has never touched and never will, you have no idea how cold it is, how wet. In the damp chill of the air, your skin slicks with moisture that freezes and glazes over, crackling like ice. Your bones ache with it. When you blink, your lids snag on tears that have already frozen before they even had a chance to fall from your eyes. Before long, you forget what it feels like to be warm. You begin to doubt that such a thing is even possible.

Even fully clothed in my sleeping bag, my teeth chattered. I didn’t think I’d be able to fall asleep until suddenly, I was lounging in a chair on the most beautiful beach I’d ever seen, on the most perfect, sunny day. I was wearing a red and white polka dot bikini and drinking a pina colada from a hollowed out pineapple.

I was waiting for Alex to come, wondering if making love to him in the surf would be sexy or just sandy, when something passed in front of the sun. I looked up as a thousand starlings became a man. I knew who he was even though I’d never seen him before.

“Behold the prodigal daughter,” King Daniel said as he sat down on the lounger across from me. “Come home at last.”

Even in the dream I could feel the tingle of magic on my palms as the Gift of Light and Air welled up around me, preparing for a fight.

“This isn’t my home,” I said, “and I am not your daughter.”

I could deny it, but proof of who I was, of how I had come to be, was all over the Dark King’s face. Robbin had been right—I looked exactly like him. His hair was like mine, almost black and slightly wavy. We had the same straight nose and pointy chin.

Like all They of the Dark, his eyes were red. My mother’s were blue. Mine are purple. You’re familiar with the color wheel, right? Good. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.

“This could be your home,” he answered, “if you chose it.”

The palm trees waved back and forth in a soft breeze that tousled his hair. I caught the familiar smell of strawberry shampoo on the air.

“So I get to choose?” I laughed. “Light or dark? Inbetween or Underneath?”

“Of course.” He had the nerve to look insulted. “I would never try to force you to be anyone other than who you are.”

“You killed my sisters, one by one, to bring me here. What is that, if not force?”

“Regrettable,” he said. “But necessary. And they weren’t really your sisters.”

I felt something hot and sharp growing, glowing, inside of my chest. He watched with interest as my magic swirled around me, bathing me in a golden light. Daniel sat just outside of it, wrapped in the kind of darkness that even the brightest light can’t chase away.

The look on his face was, unmistakably, one of parental pride. I can’t even tell you how much that pissed me off.

I want King Daniel dead, I told the magic. It surged up, ready when I needed it. But instead of pouring over him, it split in two, leaving him on an island of shadow amidst the currents of light. I tried again, and once again the magic rushed forward but went nowhere.

Do this for me now and I’ll start practicing more as soon as I wake up.

Blistering heat and light built up around me. I want King Daniel dead.

That time it hurt him, just a little, I could tell.

“Enough,” he roared. With a wave of his hand, he turned the sunny day to nighttime. There was only a sliver of moon left. Even in its dim light I could see that whatever kindness or fondness he had for me was gone, replaced now with fury. He’d killed people for less than the tweak I’d managed to give him. “Do you know who I am, child? What I could do to you? There are thousands of ways I could tear you apart without moving from this spot.”

“So do it,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “None of this is real anyway.”

“Real is a very subjective concept,” Daniel explained, sounding exasperated. “Let’s not test the bounds of reality on our first meeting.” He reset the sunny afternoon and his pleasant face. He pulled a pair of sunglasses from the pocket of his linen shirt and slipped them on, stretching out in the lounge chair next to mine.

“Why are you here?” I asked when I couldn’t stand the silence any longer.

“I wanted us to have a chance to talk in private, so I arranged to visit you somewhere that neither your guard nor mine could get in our way.”

“Nicholas isn’t coming? That’s too bad. I’m looking forward to seeing him again.”

Daniel laughed. “You intend to kill him.”

It wasn’t a question. He was Daniel’s second, his enforcer. He had orchestrated the attack on my mother; and later, the ones that took my sisters from me one by one. Of course I wanted to kill him.

“That’s part of the plan.”

“I will give him to you as a gift if you agree to stay with me. He’ll be yours to do with as you wish.”

“You’ll just give him to me? After he’s been your right-hand for centuries; after he’s killed for you?” I asked. “Where’s the loyalty?”

Daniel smiled—all teeth and menace—revealing a glimpse of the heartless, beautiful monster he really was. “As the humans say, my daughter dear, blood is thicker than water.” 

Giveaway:

Giveaway is a set of Tab Bennett and the Inbetween and Underneath.  Please fill out form below.

My thoughts:
Jes Young has written a vivid, colorful, imaginative, creative and clever story.  I fell in love with the language and her word choices.  The story is well written, the characters are lovingly created and the setting is chillingly believable.  There is a little bit of everything that keeps the pages turning and the reader on the edge of the seat.  Do not miss out on this one - but be sure to start at the beginning with Tab Bennett and the Inbetween.

Book Blast: Silver Sphere by Michael Dadich (Author Giveaway)

This book blast is presented by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Click HERE for tour information.

Welcome to The Wormhole and the book blast for 

Silver Sphere.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

I’ve been writing since first setting pencil to steno pad at age 8. A year later, I began developing the world of my current series-in-progress, and even created its title, The Silver Sphere. Now, with the support of years of experience, those early maps and back stories have progressed into what I hope is a fresh and entertaining take on the classic young adult fantasy adventure.

Despite my frequent escapes into parallel worlds, I root myself firmly in my very real family and community. When not pacing the yard maniacally after every few pages of writing, I spend as much time as possible hanging out with my studly 9-year-old son, and my inspirational wife Jenna. I also coach several local youth sports teams in Beverly Hills, and alternate between yelling at my two crazy Corgis and hiking with my trained German Shepherd.

For more, join me in my favorite fantasy worlds, from Lord of the Rings to the creations of C.S. Lewis, Anne McCaffrey and Terry Brooks. Even more importantly, stop by and say hello on my Facebook page at AuthorMichaelDadich, tweet me at @MichaelDadich, and stalk my website at http://www.thesilversphere.org.org.

Silver Sphere by Michael Dadich

BLURB:  

Shelby Pardow never imagined she could kill someone. All she wants to do is hide from her troubled father… when she is teleported to awaiting soldiers on the planet Azimuth. Here she is not a child, but Kin to one of the six Aulic Assembly members whom Malefic Cacoethes has drugged and imprisoned. He seeks to become dictator of this world (and then Earth by proxy).

His father, Biskara, is an evil celestial entity, tracked by the Assembly with an armillary device, The Silver Sphere. With the Assembly now deposed, Biskara directs Malefic and the Nightlanders to their strategic targets. Unless….

Can Shelby find the other Kin, and develop courage and combat skills? Can the Kin reassemble in time to release or replace the Assembly, overthrowing Malefic and restraining Biskara?

Giveaway:

Michael will be awarding a $75 Amazon or BN.com GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tours. 

Untimed by Andy Gavin

Get ready for a YA time travel adventure that will have the hours flying by!

Untimed, author Andy Gavin’s latest release, is finally out!

No one remembers Charlie’s name. He falls through holes in time. And a clockwork man is trying to kill him. But there’s an eighteenth century Scottish girl who can bring him back home – assuming they don’t destroy history by accidentally letting Ben Franklin get killed.

Andy’s previous novel, dark fantasy The Darkening Dream, has been well-received by fans and critics alike. Publisher’s Weekly called it “gorgeously creepy, strangely humorous, and sincerely terrifying.” Untimed is an even more ambitious follow-up. It is a lavish production with a cover by acclaimed fantasy artist Cliff Nielsen and twenty-one full page interior illustrations by Dave Phillips.

About Untimed

Charlie’s the kind of boy that no one notices. Hell, even his own mother can’t remember his name. And girls? The invisible man gets more dates.

As if that weren’t enough, when a mysterious clockwork man tries to kill him in modern day Philadelphia, and they tumble through a hole into 1725 London, Charlie realizes even the laws of time don’t take him seriously.

Still, this isn’t all bad. In fact, there’s this girl, another time traveler, who not only remembers his name, but might even like him! Unfortunately, Yvaine carries more than her share of baggage: like a baby boy and at least two ex-boyfriends! One’s famous, the other’s murderous, and Charlie doesn’t know who is the bigger problem.

When one kills the other — and the other is nineteen year-old Ben Franklin — things get really crazy. Can their relationship survive? Can the future? Charlie and Yvaine are time travelers, they can fix this — theoretically — but the rules are complicated and the stakes are history as we know it.

And there's one more wrinkle: he can only travel into the past, and she can only travel into the future!

You can find Untimed the ebook on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/12rE9Tl

And in paperback here: http://amzn.to/12rE9Tl

Read the first two chapters here: http://all-things-andy-gavin.com/untimed/sample/

About the author

Andy Gavin is an unstoppable storyteller who studied for his Ph.D. at M.I.T. and founded video game developer Naughty Dog, Inc. at the age of fifteen, serving as co-president for two decades. There he created, produced, and directed over a dozen video games, including the award winning and bestselling Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter franchises, selling over 40 million units worldwide. He sleeps little, reads novels and histories, watches media obsessively, travels, and of course, writes.

Learn more about Andy Gavin at: http://andy-gavin-author.com

Get all reviewer information at: http://all-things-andy-gavin.com/untimed/reviewer-info/

Blog Tour: Shifting Pride by Laura Diamond (Author Giveaway)

This virtual book tour is presented by DM Productions.

Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour!

It is my pleasure to feature: 

Laura Diamond and Shifting Pride.

YA Paranormal Romance Shifting Pride by Etopia Press

Sixteen-year-old Nickie Leone has proof that her missing (presumed dead) father is still alive. Receiving his watch in the mail is the first in a line of clues brining her closer to discovering his whereabouts.

But clues aren’t the only new thing in Nickie’s life. There’s the Memorial Banquet her mother insists she help prepare for … there’s the new kid/hottie, Xavian, and … well, the growth of whiskers and a tail!

Filled with secrets and a new love of tuna fish, Nickie must partner up with Xavian (don’t you know he’s a shapeshifter too?) to rescue her dad before she loses him forever. Oh, and she need to figure out how to be a cat, too.

Laura has joined us for an interview:

? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always enjoyed reading—a habit instilled in me by my mom and grandfather. I had a natural affinity to fantasy, sci-fi, and paranormal. Those genres provide rich settings that get my imagination going and often I get so immersed in them that they really become an escape.

In residency (a four year “on the job training” program after medical school, allowing me to specialize in Psychiatry), I quickly learned I needed to do something creative that afforded me some balance. I picked up writing. That was over four years ago and I haven’t stopped writing since!

? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?

Since high school, I knew I wanted to become a doctor, so I worked pretty steadily to reach that goal. One of my most fun jobs, though, was when I was a stable hand. I’ve always loved horses and working at the barn meant I spent many hours with them. It was hard work, but super fun!

? How long does it take you to write a book?

That varies. I’ve written a book in two weeks. I’ve also taken several months. It really depends on how much is going on and how much I’m compelled to get a story out.

? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Ha! I don’t think I’m that quirky. I enjoy writing in big blocks of time—so weekends and vacation time is best. Hmmm, perhaps it’s quirky to work during vacation? LOL!

? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?

Not really. I used to write at bookstore cafes and such, but now, I just sit on the couch with my laptop and pound out the words. I used to need music too. Now, it’s nice, but not required.

? Where do you write and how do you write ~ on paper, typewriter or computer?

I’ve hand-written some things, but most of the time I type. It’s faster for me.

? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?

I generally start with a character. They sort of pop up in my mind. It’s kind of like meeting some random person on the street and striking up a conversation with them. The more I get to know them, the more involved in their world I get. That immersion allows me to feel what they’re feeling and allows me to tell their story as intimately as possible.

? How do you decide what you want to write about?

Anything paranormal fascinates me, so I know there’s going to be something “not of this world” in every story I write. I also try to choose creatures with a unique spin. For example, some characters in NEW PRIDE and SHIFTING PRIDE are shape-shifters. Most people are familiar with werewolves, but my shifters are werecats. Additionally, they are of different species—panthers, bobcats, cheetahs, and lions. I think it brings another level of interest not always seen in shifter stories.

? Where does a book start for you ~ characters, plot, ending?

The main character is where I start. I generally “meet” them at the cusp of something big—some imminent change that will rock their world. It’s very exciting to go on an adventure with them and that moment before the first domino falls is the best part.

? What books have most influenced your life?

There’s too many to name! From the paranormal realm, I favor the Lord of the Rings series, Harry Potter, Twilight, and Narnia series. From the classics, I love The Razor’s Edge by Somerset Maugham and anything by Kurt Vonnegut.

? What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?

Oh, a what a fun question! Has to be either Dr. Seuss or Shel Silverstein, LOL!

? What are you reading right now?

I sometimes juggle a bunch of books at once. Right now, I’m reading anything I can find by Jennifer L. Armentrout!

? What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Sleep! LOL! I enjoy reading, watching movies, blogging, playing with my kitties and Corgi, and I’m in the midst of renovating a 225+ year old house, so there’s always lots to do!

? What is your favorite comfort food?

CHOCOLATE!!!! I love coffee and (since we just had Thanksgiving) STUFFING!

? What do you think makes a good story?

Compelling, unique characters in the midst of disaster. They have to face impossible circumstances and rise to the challenge, even if it means they won’t “win” or survive. That grips me the most.

? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?

Oh, when I heard JK Rowling lost her billionaire status because she had donated so much money to those in need…yeah, that really solidified her as my fav author.

? What book, if any, do you read over and over again?

That’s one thing that I don’t do, is read books over and over. There are so many to read, that I can barely keep up as it is!

? Are you a “plotter” or a “pantser”?

I started out as a pantser. It afforded me huge word counts, but also left me with stories that needed a lot of ripping and tearing. Then I switched to plotting extensively. That kept me on track, but also locked me in to a certain path and my word counts suffered. Now, I have a loose plot, giving me breathing space (to keep the excitement of creating alive), but also a direction so I stay on target.

Fun random questions: 

·        dogs or cats? Cats first, but I really love all animals. I have four cats (three adopted) and I adopted a Corgi last spring. I also used to own a horse.

·        Coffee or tea? Coffee, mainly. Though I do appreciate a good cup of tea.

·        Dark or milk chocolate? Milk.

·        Rocks or flowers? Flowers.

·        Night or day? Night.

·        Favorite color? Midnight blue.

·        Crayons or markers? Crayons—I had a crayon fetish as a child. Like, I seriously loved them, LOL!

·        Pens or pencils? Pen.

More About Laura Diamond

Laura Diamond is an author of all things Young Adult (YA): paranormal, dystopian, and horror. As a board certified psychiatrist, Diamond knows how people react and pulls out the emotions, not only from the characters but also the reader. She approaches each book differently usually beginning with a single character – envisioning what they look like, how they perceive their world, what challenges they have to navigate, and who’s with them along the way, whether it be a friend or foe.

Diamond likes writing Young Adult (YA) because it’s during a time in life that is rife with challenges and intense emotions. The paranormal interest comes in because Laura has always had an affinity for magical creatures and dark worlds.

My thoughts:
Mysterious, clever, creative.  These are the first words that come to mind when I think about Shifting Pride.  The characters are nicely done and easy to invest in.  The setting is well constructed and realistic.  The story is intriguing and entertaining; it keeps you turning the pages, anxious for more.  

Author Note and Giveaway Information:
Hello,Thank you for visiting with author Laura Diamond on her Blog Tour for “Shifting Pride.” As a thank you, please go to Laura’s website to register for a free copy of “New Pride,” the prequel novella to Shifting Pride. This is the Laura Diamond Fan Page link:  http://authorlauradiamond.com/?page_id=37 Once you register for the contest, a random entry will be chosen and a copy of the prequel will be sent to the lucky winner!   Thanks again.

YA Paranormal Romance Novelette - New Pride by Etopia Press

A shapeshifter without a pride, Richard Leone strikes a tenuous friendship with power hungry, Derek, from an unstable, rogue group.

On a hunt in the forest, they encounter a gorgeous brunette, Molly, partying with friends around a campfire.

Derek tells the rogue pride and they bristle at humans trespassing on their territory. Richard risks life and tail to protect his secret and the humans – especially Molly – while simultaneously trying to win her heart.

When Molly is kidnapped, he faces taking on the rogue pride alone, but quickly finds he has to put his trust in Derek, not only to rescue his new love, but to ensure the rogue pride doesn’t wreak havoc on his new town.

Blog Tour: Weathering Rock by Mae Clair

This virtual book tour is presented by Buy the Book Tours.

Click HERE to see the tour schedule.

Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour!

It is my pleasure to feature Mae Clair and Weathering Rock.

Mae Clair

Website ; Facebook ; Twitter ; Goodreads 

Mae Clair knew from the time she entered grade school that she wanted to be a writer. She credits her parents with instilling in her an insatiable love of reading through weekly trips to the library when she was a child. Her father, an artist who tinkered with writing, encouraged her to create characters and make-believe worlds by spinning tales of far-off places on summer nights beneath the stars.

Inspired by folktales, legends and things-that-go-bump-in-the-night, she loves to blend the fantastical with the ordinary. Her heroes are known to be flawed and complex, her heroines capable, independent and sexy.

Throughout the years she has been actively involved in various writing and critique groups and is a past President of the Central Pennsylvania Writers’ Organization. She lives in Pennsylvania and is married to her high school sweetheart (a.k.a. the Love of Her Life). In her downtime she enjoys reading, digital scrapbooking and unwinding with her husband by the pool when the fickle PA weather permits. A self-admitted idealist, Mae is passionate about writing, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail and cats.

Weathering Rock
by Mae Clair

Amazon
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Lyrical Press
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Colonel Caleb DeCardian was fighting America’s Civil War on the side of the Union when a freak shower of ball lightning transported him to the present, along with rival and former friend, Seth Reilly. Adapting to the 21st century is hard enough for the colonel, but he also has to find Seth, who cursed him to life as a werewolf. The last thing on Caleb’s mind is romance. Then fetching Arianna Hart nearly runs him down with her car. He can’t deny his attraction to the outspoken schoolteacher, but knows he should forget her.

Arianna finds Caleb bewildering, yet intriguing: courtly manners, smoldering sensuality and eyes that glow silver at night? When she sees Civil War photographs featuring a Union officer who looks exactly like Caleb, she begins to understand the man she is falling in love with harbors multiple secrets--some of which threaten the possibility of their happiness.

Finding a decent guy who'll commit is hard enough. How can she expect Caleb to forsake his own century to be with her?  

Excerpt - 

“Stop it!” Arianna shook off Wyn’s grip, pivoting to face him. “Are you crazy?”

Before he could answer, something slammed against the door. Caleb screamed. The sound knifed through her like the violent jolt of an electrical wire.

“Caleb!” She launched herself at the door, panicked and terrified by the thought of the man she loved in horrific pain.

“Don’t!” Wyn stiff-armed her aside and grabbed the knob, forcibly holding it in place. “Get a chair. Something, anything! We’ve got to keep him locked inside.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Arianna, get a fricking chair. Now!”

There was another crash, and then a bang as something heaved against the door, making it shudder from top to bottom. Arianna heard a snarl that turned her blood to ice. The door rattled in its frame, weakening as something battered against it. Something inhuman locked in the room with Caleb.

A cold fist clamped over her stomach.

“Wyn, what’s going on?”

“Chair!” he spat. “Get me a damn chair.”

The raw urgency of his voice plowed through her confusion. She darted into the dining room, snagged a chair, and dragged it into the hallway. The thing in the parlor was still hammering away, heaving itself against the door in an attempt to burst through. Wyn’s face was white with strain as he struggled to hold the door shut with both hands. He rammed the top of the chair beneath the knob, wedging it securely into place. A blood-thirsty howl exploded from the other side, kicking Arianna’s heartbeat into overdrive.

“My God, Wyn, what’s going on?” She lurched for the door.

“Don’t. You don’t know what you’re doing.” Wyn caught her around the waist and swung her up against the wall.

She tried to squirm free. “I know Caleb’s trapped in there. We have to help him! There’s something in the room. Can’t you hear it?”

He held her wrists, pinning her arms to the wall. “Listen to me!” His eyes were wild, his face inches from hers. With a single frenetic skip of her heart, she realized he was as terrified as she was.

“There’s nothing in the room. Only Caleb. Do you hear me, Arianna? It’s Caleb.”

“No!” She shook her head, unwilling to believe what he told her, but another ear-splitting snarl fanned her fear higher. Nothing made sense. Not the stark fear in Wyn’s eyes, the sweat-slickened grip of his palms crushing her wrists or the chillingly inhuman sounds coming from the parlor. The man she loved could never sound so guttural or barbarous.

“I don’t care!” She ripped free of his hold. “I don’t care if he’s by himself or in there with something else. You have to help him!”

She lunged for the door, but Wyn grappled her around the waist, holding fast. They were still struggling when the sound of shattering glass rang through the narrow center hall of Weathering Rock. 

Check out the trailer!