Blog Tour: Dysus Dreamer by J.A. Garland - tourwide author giveaway

This virtual book tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.

Click HERE for more information.

Welcome to The Wormhole and my stop on the tour.

It is my pleasure to feature J.A. Garland and Dysus Dreamer.



J.A. Garland has stopped by for an interview: 

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

JA: Well, originally I wanted to be a jet fighter pilot, of course. Okay, so that was just a phase...following the movie Top Gun. Seriously, I’ve wanted to be a writer from childhood, but as life has a way of doing, it moved me in a different direction. Becoming and being a firefighter is full of rewards. I love serving the public. But writing is a release--an addictive freedom. I am very lucky to enjoy two such different, and spectacular careers in one lifetime.

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

JA: Ten! I’ve dabbled with writing for years, but only became serious within the last four. So there are lifetimes of jobs in there!

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

JA: It depends upon the book. The first book I wrote took me years, and they weren’t fun years. Every step was agonizing. I was so relieved to finish and move on to the next story.

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

JA: I must drink a big mug of coffee first! I am a dedicated morning person. I get up before the sun, around 5 am. I then drink a carafe of coffee--I'm not joking--I have the blood pressure to show for it, lol. Then I go for a run. I run at least 6 days a week. My favorite place to run is at a nearby park. 500 acres of trails, I love it! When I run I think about the next chapter of my current W.I.P. So by the time I get home, I am all ready to have at the computer. I peter out around noon, but get a second wind in the evening. Then I usually edit paragraphs I've already written, I don't add anything new.

? What are you reading right now?

JA: Right now I am reading the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. It’s a great series about a modern day wizard. Very entertaining.

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

JA: I love to trail run, cook, and spend time with my family. I’m also an avid reader who isn’t married to a specific genre. I’ll read anything as long as it’s well written.

? What is your favorite comfort food?

JA: Vegetable soup. I have a crock-pot recipe that is really amazing. I chop everything, fill the crock-pot, and in the evening it’s perfect! Which also reminds me of a great steel cut oatmeal, crock-pot recipe. I really should use my crock-pot more often…

? What do you think makes a good story?

JA: Action, character depth and believability. I can’t stand authors who handhold their readers. I want an author who lets me put two and two together. It annoys me when I’m spoon fed stories.

Fun random questions: 

·        dogs or cats? Neither

·        Coffee or tea? COFFEE

·        Dark or milk chocolate? Milk

·        Rocks or flowers? Rocks

·        Night or day? Day

·        Favorite color? Glacier Blue

·        Crayons or markers? Crayons

·        Pens or pencils? Pens

More about the author:

Writing urban fantasy under the pen-name J.A. Garland, Jennifer is a professional firefighter in the state of California. Jennifer is married and has two children, both of whom are as different as night and day. A graduate of Cogswell Polytechnical with a degree in Fire Administration, Jennifer always knew she wanted to be an author. (Except for a brief two month period after watching the movie "Top Gun," when she wanted to be a fighter pilot).

Jennifer admits she is an addicted trail runner, mostly because she is a devout consumer of all things cheese puff. If she misses you at the next mud run, you can come back here to see what's new in the world "where fantasy becomes reality."

http://jagarland.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/J_A_Garland
https://www.facebook.com/jagarlandurbanfantasyauthor

The Dysus Dreamer

Book Two, The Halfling Chronicles

by JA Garland

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: July, 2013

"A powerful half-demon is kidnapped, bloodthirsty werewolves are on the rise, and a planet is dying. A demon warrior and dark elf joining forces are the least of their worries."

Demon warrior, Slade Aesus, is determined to destroy the werewolves controlling his cousin. But a beautiful elf, consumed by her own vengeance, finds the wolves first. Botching her assassination attempt, Annwyn has the most powerful Packs in the world biting at her heels. Both fiercely independent, can the two join forces long enough to fulfill their missions and stay alive?

Book Trailer http://youtu.be/M0qIjt_iBxU

Excerpt The Dysus Dreamer:
     A solid assassination operation takes one part opportunity, two parts discipline, and three parts disposition. Having two out of three this chilly Seattle evening, Slade considered himself in abundance of good fortune.
     Parked in front of a solitary office building, in the zone clearly marked “No Parking,” Slade cleared his mind of distractions consisting of the little here and there that could creep in and throw him off, just a hair, but enough to jeopardize his mission. Satisfied, he slid out of the rental car and re-tucked a stylish black golf shirt monogrammed with “Constantine Vineyards” into a pair of crisp, steel gray slacks. In this particular scenario, image was crucial.
     Tonight, the element discipline presented itself by his waiting for the precise moment to strike.  He made a living analyzing people and their habits, so he knew his targets relaxed around the holidays and were less likely to see the danger lurking behind his smiling façade. The current festivity du jour was Christmas, and coupled with his gift, destined Slade a popular man. I'm counting on it.
     He moved around to the trunk, where he heaved free a slatted, wooden case. It smelled of musky oak. The peaceful scent hinted at candlelit dinners shared with a long time lover. His jaw clenched. Not in my past and not in my future.
     Slade lugged his precious cargo toward the sprawling metal office building. Immense, the structure stabbed farther into the heavens than any other in the area, yet fell short. Just like my target. Outwardly, Joe Larsen appeared a dedicated family man, a real pillar of the community whose flourishing internet and telecommunications business, ProCom, employed hundreds. In reality, the werewolf belonged to the Dirty Dozen, a group of the twelve most ruthless wolf Packs roaming the earth.
     How ironic. I was once your target. A year ago, the Dozen kidnapped his cousin Amber, a half-demon, half-human. Able to keep a shifter from shifting, Amber's ability proved irresistible, since more times than not, the Dozen's meetings devolved into an unproductive, fur-flying brawl. We saved Amber, but left behind some unfinished business. Starting with Larsen, the wolves would learn a lesson...a demon’s memory rivals the most scorned woman, and paybacks were indeed a bitch.

My thoughts:
I am halfway through the book.  The characters are fantastic - original, distinctive and well made.  The story is multi-faceted and interesting.  It is nicely paced and entertaining.  I am both dreading and looking forward to the ending - wanting to know the answers, yet not really wanting the story to end.

INSTINCT
Book One, The Halfling Chronicles

"When war erupts among the Shadow creatures, can enemies become allies?"

Lone wolf, Rory Archer, never failed a single mission. Now the hunted instead of the hunter, Rory unwinds a twisted trail leading back to Amber Arlington, a spirited Halfling tied to a world of Shadows. Bound to vows initially forged out of necessity, Rory and Amber's relationship surges into more than either of them had bargained on. Scrambling to identify their attacker before joining the casualty list, Rory is forced to do the unthinkable, or watch Amber become a slave for his species.

In the battle against Shadows, demons and all variety of monsters come out to fight. Can one wolf learn to trust in time to save them all?

Giveaway: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway