AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - ASHLEY MACKLER-PATERNOSTRO

Short bio:

Ashley Mackler-Paternostro lives on the outskirts of Chicago with her husband and their three dogs.  The Milestone Tapes is Ashley’s first novel. 

Long Bio:

Ashley Mackler-Paternostro was born in Naperville, Illinois, where she still lives with her husband Mark and their three dogs.

“We have such a normal life. And I’m really so lucky, my husband Mark is absolutely the biggest supporter of my writing. It’s … amazing. I have no right to be this fortunate … and yet, I am.”

A hairstylist by trade, Ashley will often say that some of the best stories she has ever heard were told to her while working behind the chair. A life long reader with an insatiable appetite for good books, she decided to merge her love of great stories — both told and written — into her own brand of story telling.

“Life is so strange … people can do some really crazy things when left to their own devices. As a stylist, I was privy to that, people just want to still down and talk — and they all have something to say. Sometimes it’s sad, sometimes it’s just hysterical. But, that’s real life — it’s kind of messy.

As a reader, I need to lose myself in the book, I cherish the sort of story that you can really invest yourself deeply in, the kind that has an unforgettable character who pulls you to the point where you can viscerally understand them and the lines of real and unreal get blurry.

When you take all that normal stuff and blend it with the edge of fantastical, you can really find yourself in a beautiful place. When I write, that’s what I’m looking for–that beautiful place. I have no problem walking away from a book if the characters aren’t telling me their story. They have to flesh themselves out, I have to believe in them in order to work with them. My books are absolutely character driven … just like real life.”

When she’s not being held captive in her home office by words, Ashley fancies herself a flea market hunter with a weakness for Japanese glass floats and repurposing vintage goods.

“There is such bliss in the things from once upon a time. I can’t walk past a piece of furniture without wondering how I can change it. I can’t see pretty glassware and not want to own it. I see these ordinary objects and wonder — what’s the story behind this, how did it end up here? Where has this been? Who loved this? I can really get swept away in that sort of wondering.”

Writing was always in her blood from the time she was a little girl always eager to say something, but until a trip to the Olympic Peninsula in the spring of 2011 she never had the vision.

“You know, it’s sort of cliche how this all started. I just turned 28 and my husband took me on vacation. I wasn’t at a crossroads in my life — at least, not that I was aware of, but I came home from Washington and was inspired, that place changed me. I had this story inside me and it was so loud … I couldn’t quiet it down, I simply had to tell it.

So, I sat down and just started writing. I didn’t even think about it. Once I hit 30,000 words I was like … oh … this is pretty serious. It felt really natural, as though this was just how it was supposed to be for me … so I let go and let the story unfold. I didn’t really worry about outlining, or plotting … now I know better. I ended up with this book about life and death and love and even I couldn’t believe it.”

Ashley wrote her entire first novel with only three people knowing about it. She had no idea where this journey was going to take her or how she would finish it … or even if she would finish it.

“I’m a big believer in wild dreams. My Dad used to call me an enigma, which I suppose is very true. I was a hairstylist … the last person you’d ever think would ‘write a novel’ let alone publish a novel — I mean, really–a writer? Even I wasn’t so sure how this would turn out.

And, at the same time, I was always the type to just ‘blurt it out’ (I’m not the best at keeping big, life changing secrets)… those sort of loud proclamations usually lead to expectations. I knew that if I was going to write authentically, I had to play it close to the chest. I needed to know where I was going — gather my answers and figure it out — before I let too many inside.

It was hard … but not impossible. I think it was the best gift I ever gave myself. It worked. And when I finally was at the point when I knew this book was absolutely going somewhere, it was an exciting thing to share with the people in my life.”

Ashley’s writing style reflects the sort of books she herself enjoys reading. Never one to shy away from the uncomfortable or heartbreaking, her novels often ping into the defining moments of life in the middle of great conflict.

“I’m a writer a of real life, I actually really like real life. I enjoy putting my characters into very hard situations and I like seeing how they figure it out — much of the time I have no idea how they’ll do it, but in character driven pieces, they usually give you clues.

Good endings aren’t always as simple as ‘boy and girl live happily ever after’ … that happens sometimes, sure …. but it’s not always genuine. If bad things happen, my characters need to be able to figure out how to adjust and live within them … you can’t force that to fit a mold. That’s what I’ve figured out about my writing.”

Before the launch of her first book, THE MILESTONE TAPES, she is already hard at work with the follow up.

“There is a lot of downtime when you’re working on the publishing part — a lot of hurry up and wait. I couldn’t help but to be forward thinking — excited about how I’ll follow the first one up. I’ve found a rhythm to my style, I’m an author of ‘real life.’ My second novel definitely pings into same emotionally whirlwind I touched upon in THE MILESTONE TAPES while still being totally different — it has a very different vibe and undercurrent to it, it’s a darker story — it’s all about hard — yet totally self created — circumstances and the relationships we cultivate in our lives and the choices we ultimately make.”

Ashley is set to debut her first work of literary fiction in early 2012 with much excitement and enthusiasm.

“THE MILESTONE TAPES is more than a book … it’s a year of my life and a whole new chapter. I am beyond thrilled to be in the position to share my words. This really is a dream — a wild dream — come true.”

http://www.ashleymacklerpaternostro.com/

https://twitter.com/#!/AshMP

EXCERPT - THE MILESTONE TAPES BY ASHLEY MACKLER-PATERNOSTRO

Excerpt From THE MILESTONE TAPES

PROLOGUE

With much determination, Jenna willed her fingers to press the record button.  She couldn’t allow herself to think about how silly she felt speaking the paramount words to only herself and a small tape recorder in the dark of her office, years and years before they’d even harbor an inkling of truth.  Or, how heartbreaking it felt to know that eventually she would be finished recording and the silence left behind would speak volumes.

She had no notes, no frame of reference and no way of knowing exactly what her daughter would need to hear when she finally, in time, came about pressing play.   All she had was a list, a list of milestones and a corresponding blank tape.

The fear and utter sadness of that enveloped her like an inferno, burning her, buckling her heart and breaking her in a million ways that would remain unseen, as so many other breaks did.  She would never really know if she got it right, of course.  She’d.  Never.  Know.  And,  if she were being honest now, that realization had been the driving force behind the recordings to begin with.

Hadn’t that knowledge pinged her so many months ago, while the quiet of the morning and darkness of her home gave the illusion of peace and rightness, and did nothing more than make her think.

But even more than that, wasn’t the unknown what she’d been fighting all along.  Trying to somehow rally against what the doctors told her was inevitable, trying to be the exception rather than the rule. Jenna knew that she had fought hard, battled with every moment, with umpteen doctors, with every drug, every needle or pill or hope.  The fighting had never been the problem; it was simply what she was fighting against. That thing, so bound and determined to win.

So now she was left with the unknown.  All of the things that couldn’t possibly be known.  It was no longer a question of science, medicine and time. Now it was a matter of fate, faith and the natural unfolding of things.  Jenna had resolved that, although everything moving forward would be unknown, she would plan and prepare and hedge her bets like a mother would, she would bet on her daughter, and leave behind her voice.

She knew her little girl now.  She knew the determined expression that would cross her face when they worked together side by side in the expansive kitchen she had designed for family time and togetherness.  She knew the jubilant smile that would never fail Mia’s face when she huddled over her English homework, letting her unique brand of creativity roll off in waves, limited only by what she could spell and express at seven years old.  She knew the tell-tale face of a fib or half truth, Mia’s mouth dropping open just enough, as she tried not to smile and tried harder to convey honesty.  She knew the way Mia’s lower lips would tremble as she departed the bus when the kids had been less than kind, running for the security of home and the comfort of her mom, running to the place that would nurture and welcome her budding individualism rather than shy away from it.

Jenna knew Mia better than she knew herself in every single way possible; she was her mother. From the very beginning, her baby girl had been the epitome of a miracle in Jenna’s eyes and remained steadfast in that role forever after.  Mia was Jenna’s sole reason for the death match that spanned out behind them now, defining holidays and birthdays, along every other ordinary day.  Mia was reason and logic, hope and heartbreak; she was Jenna’s dream personified.  The prose of that would have made Jenna laugh, had the thoughts and feelings ambushed her in a normal life.  But in her life, their life as a family with their singular child, the emotional turmoil was highlighted and hung from their only child.  Jenna knew she could never, even if words flooded her, really say enough about her daughter.

But who would Mia be when these tapes became relevant?

Suddenly the unknown crept in again, playing around, twisting two or five or a million different landscapes.  Landscapes Jenna would be absent for.  Would Mia be analytical and thoughtful, living a life of logic and reason, a breathing echo of her father?  Would her love of words bloom into a love of numbers? Or would she hold fast, stay true to her dreamy and creative nature?

Would some of these tapes be left, unheard, in their little plastic casings because they didn’t apply to Mia?  And if they didn’t pertain, why not?  But, if they did, and Mia needed them, and Jenna failed to push the worry aside, then what?  What if Mia carried the responsibility, all the joys and all the burdens  of life alone?  The stark thought of that was enough to cripple Jenna.

Jenna pressed her finger firmly against the flat button with the red circle.  She thought about the laughter and tears, the piles of homework, the family trips, the snuggles and hugs and kisses and fights.  She thought about her husband, trying to understand the enigma that was the teenage girl.  She pictured her daughter, grown up with a life, maybe even a family, of her own.  And she felt courage; these tapes were not expectations, they were hopes— her hopes.  And  with all of that floating around in her head, she began.

“Mia … I love you.”

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - THE MILESTONE TAPES BY ASHLEY MACKLER-PATERNOSTRO

THE MILESTONE TAPES

By Ashley Mackler-Paternostro

Jenna Chamberland never wanted anything more than to be a wife and mother. That is, until she realized that her life was ending after a three-year battle against breast cancer. Now, all she really wants is more time.

With 4,320 hours left to live, Jenna worries for her loved ones and what she knows awaits them on the other side: Gabe will have to make the slip from husband to widower, left alone to raise their seven-year-old daughter; Mia will be forced to cope with life without her mother by her side. In a moment of reflection, Jenna decides to record a set of audiocassettes — The Milestone Tapes – leaving her voice behind as a legacy for her daughter.

Nine years later, Mia is a precocious sixteen-year-old and her life is changing all around, all she wants is her mother. Through the tapes, Jenna’s voice returns to teach Mia the magic of life, her words showing her daughter how to spread her wings and embrace the coming challenges with humor, grace and hope.

THE MILESTONE TAPES is the journey of love between a parent and child, and of the bonds that hold them when life no longer can.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - DALLAS LOUIS

What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?

My name is Dallas Louis and I was born and raised in Austin, Texas but now live in Houston, Texas...so between my name and the cities I’ve lived in--I’ve got the major Texas metro-plexes covered!  Please feel free to insert your own joke here _____!

Do you work another job as well as your writing work?

Besides chasing three kids, two dogs and trying to locate my country-traveling husband?? Yes, I do.  I’m a speaker.  I travel across Texas and the country, speaking to Women’s groups and mom’s groups, and various churches...leading their retreats and “keynoting” (is that even a word?) for luncheons and ladies’ nights out.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

I’ve been asked to write another Mommy Diaries: The Next Generation for the middle school years, then high school, etc.  I’ve got another volume of my first book Girlfriends, Giggles & God ready to go, I just haven’t shopped it out to any Houses yet.  But, I really would like to try my hand at fiction for the next go ‘round.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

As a matter of fact, I am working on a new book as we speak.  This one is unlike anything I’ve ever written about: it has suspense, intrigue, mystery--maybe even murder...The pieces are slowly (painstakingly slowly) falling into place.  The ending is more clear than the middle, and it’s a cliffhanger which leaves it wide open for a sequel.

Where do you get your book plot ideas from? What/Who is your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from a variety of different places.  For instance, for The Mommy Diaries, the inspiration was quite obviously my family.  Everything in that book came from real life, hand-on experience.  I needed very little creative license to make the book flow.  The characters jumped off the pages all by themselves...and in some cases, those actions were literal!  See chapter two: last paragraph, my daughter’s impressive swan dive!

Have you ever based characters on people you know or based events on things that have happened to you?

For my new project, the whole thing is based off of a weekend retreat I went on, but didn’t particularly enjoy.  However, my real-life experience was nothing compared to what my main character goes through!  In other words, with my new project I use liberal amounts of creative license to make my point.

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?

I love this question!  I am such a creature of habit that you could set your watch by my routines! My husband and I just remodeled our house.  We moved my office from the second story, down to the first.  Before the renovation project, I spent very little time in my office--afterwards, it is my sanctuary!  I absolutely LOVE it!  I have my desk, my cushy chair, and my fuzzy rug...of course in order for me to stretch out on the rug, I have to move the dogs!  Because my house often plays host to not only my kids, but half the neighborhood as well, my iPhone is my BFF.  I put in my earbuds and listen to it rain...unless I’m writing something particularly creepy, then I listen to the wind howl.

Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?

Writer’s block irritates me.  I once attended a writer’s conference, and the man leading one of my sessions told us there was no such thing as writer’s block.  I begged to differ.  Staring at an empty computer screen is horrifying.  His answer to writer’s block was three nouns, three adjectives, and two verbs.  We shouted them at random, then he wrote them on the board.  We were given about five minutes to construct a short story.  It was weird, but it worked.  Now, I ask each of my kids for one noun, adjective and verb each.  That is enough to get my creative juices flowing.  They maybe flowing uphill, but at least they are moving!

Where can readers follow you?

Your blog details? www.dallaslouis.com Blog is in the upper left hand corner for now.  Redesign almost complete.

Your web site ?  www.dallaslouis.com Both books are available through the website

Your Twitter details? @DallasLouis

And any other information you wish to supply? I have an Amazon.com author page

THE MOMMY DIARIES: HOW I'M SURVIVING PARENTING WITHOUT KILLING ANYONE BY DALLAS LOUIS

BLURB from Netgalley

What do you get when you mix a crawling toddler, a screaming baby, and a sudden craving for pickles and ice cream all over again?  A full time job.  Some people call this "parenting."  It's an intense roller coaster of constant chaotic sounds; pitter-patter of adorable, yet never-ceasing little feet; things getting broken, emotional ups and downs... all in addition to the regular duties, chores and responsibilities of a normal, American household mom.

Sometimes laughter is needed to survive the more intense days...

The Mommy Diaries: How I'm Surviving Parenting without Killing Anyone is a snapshot into the crazy, daily parenting life of Dallas Louis, author of Girlfriends, Giggles, & God.  Dallas is the mother of three kids who all arrived within twenty-six months of each other.  Combining that with later home renovation projects and surviving multiple ER visits, all the while still maintaining a relationship with her husband (remember that guy?).  She has lived through enough moments of her own to share with her readers her tears and fears through laughter, and often times, the act of surviving the early years by sheer dumb luck!  The Mommy Diaries will have you rolling off your couch and thinking your lucky starts that all these babies fell to someone else!

MY REVIEW

I would recommend this book to all those newbie parents out there, just so you know you're not alone! Then again its a funny read for all females really. I found the book witty, well written and at time I smirked, giggled and laughed hysterically!!

This book catalogues a couples journey into becoming a family. Dallas and her husband Jeffrey manage to have 3 children in 26 months! Dallas literally is breastfeeding her eldest son Ethan, when she becomes pregnant with their daughter Emma. In fact one of the things that alerts her to being pregnant is the fact that Ethan develops a sudden distaste for mommy's breast milk. Apparently breast milk tastes different if you become pregnant. So then Dallas gives birth to Emma and is breast feeding her daughter, when Emma suddenly develops a dislike to Mommy's breast milk, yep Dallas gets that sinking feeling again when she realises she is once again pregnant!! Then along comes Elliot the youngest child. Before Elliot is born Dallas has successfully talked husband Jeffrey into having a vasectomy. I found the section where Jeffrey is attending his medical appointment hilarious. Dallas gets some serious payback as Jeffrey has always sort of laughed at her reluctance and discomfort at her medical examinations.
This book should be the one given to you as soon as you find out you are pregnant. This book lets you know that things are not perfect and they don't always go to plan. the book teaches you to take things day by day or in some cases hour by hour or task by task!

I think the Author's family sound adorable! They get into some really funny scrapes in this book. The different characters and personalities of her children make the book even more interesting.

Did I enjoy the book? YES Would I recommend this book? YES  I must have laughed out so much that it grabbed the attention of my daughter who said she would like to read this book too. 

This book is released on 1st May 2012.

Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £7.38 pre order now. 

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - SM BLOODING

About the Author:

SM Blooding lives in Colorado with her pet rock, Rockie, their new addition, Mr. Bird, who’s a real bird. She likes to hike the beautiful Rocky Mountains, and is learning to play the piano and guitar. Currently, she’s trying to MURDER them both. Friends call her Frankie.

She’s dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers and US Government assassins. Yes. She has stories.

She’s also an investigator with a local paranormal investigation group, Colorado Paranormal Rescue!

Find out more about her at:

Twitter

Facebook             

Website/blog

EXCERPT - THE DUSTMAN BY SM BLOODING

EXCERPT:

He looked at her, his eyes flaring, icy blue lights shooting from his eyes. “How is it you’re here?”

     She took a step back. “What do you mean?”

     “You exist. How?”

     She frowned at him, her nose flaring. “I was born.”

     He took one step toward her, his mouth set in determination. “So was I a long time ago.”

      “Things happened, Luk. I had to grow up. I couldn’t—” She looked at the refrigerator case in frustration. “I couldn’t pretend anymore.”

     “Am I pretend?” he growled, taking a step toward her.

     She looked up and blinked. She was surrounded by the warmth of his body as he crowded her space.

     His eyes, consuming and raw, sucked her breath away.

     “I don’t know,” she whispered.

     Like the unborn wrath of a tiger unleashed, he grabbed her waist and head, crushing her against him. His teeth ravished her lips, demanding them to open. His hands dug into her hair, pulling it loose in unruly waves.

     She couldn’t breathe. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to. This man, this solid and real man, made her feel something she hadn’t felt in a long time.

     Craved.

     Needed.

     Devoured.

     She opened her mouth to him, pushing herself onto the balls of her feet to deepen the kiss. She ran her tongue along his, gasping as his teeth gripped it, raking it.

     She molded her body into his.

     He growled, pulling his lips from hers. His head against hers, he pushed her toward the glass door of the refrigerator case, pushing her back and up.

     She cried out, her eyes opening in surprise. “Luk,” she said breathlessly, caressing his face with soft, needy hands. “My Luk.”

     He growled again, deeper, claiming her, the intensity of his gaze, telling her without words she was his.

     She looked into his eyes and met his lips halfway.

     With a hungry, forceful sigh, he melted into her body.

     They both felt the heat of the kiss, so different than the first. This was primal. This was about claiming. This was about territory.

     This was about power.

     They closed their eyes, letting the emotions rack their bodies as they rocked against each other. The heat built inside them, their bodies touching.

     Her head came up as she sucked in air at the same moment the milk jugs in the case behind them exploded with a loud, multi-shot pop.

     They looked at each other, the spell broken but the result still apparent. Turning, she looked in surprise and amazement at the milk-painted case.

     His face was bright red.


Available at Amazon.co.uk

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - THE DUSTMAN BY SM BLOODING

The Dustman

A Dreamland Story

SM Blooding

Available: April 3, 2012

Format: E-book

Blurb:

Dustmen are useless.

Meg has two kids, one of which is hell bent to land himself in jail. She’s about to lose her house, her home, her ability to support her children. Her aunt tells her to publish the story of her childhood friend, her dustman, her Luk.

Dreamland is empty.

He’s watching his world shrink, his friends blinking out of existence. Children no longer call for him. He’s watched his fellow dustmen disappear while their lands are eaten by a ferocious void.

There is no cure.

He’s next.


Available at Amazon.co.uk

UNTOUCHED BY JUS ACCARDO

ASIN: B007PEV6DY
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Pages: 78
Formats Available: Kindle

BLURB from Goodreads

Until he met Dez, Kale’s days were filled with violence and death. He was used as a weapon of destruction by the power hungry men of Denazen. He’s a Six. A person with an abnormal ability. Some people call them gifts, but not Kale. Kale’s touch means instant death. 

But now there’s Dez, the girl he can touch, and they’re hunting down Sixes and warning them about Denazen. Kale is learning about the world outside captivity and trying to put his dark past behind him. But they underestimated how badly Denazen wanted him back. 

When Dez sacrifices herself to save the new Six they’d rescued from falling into the corp’s hands, Kale is lost. Denazen has brought out its best to get the job done. Samsen, a nightmare from Kale’s past—the only person he’s ever truly feared—has come for them, and it soon becomes obvious he has his own twisted agenda. 

Kale will need all his training to get Dez back and ensure they make it out, free—and alive. But will it be enough?

MY REVIEW

I Love that Kale is once again on the cover of this book, you can certainly see what Deznee means about those beautiful blue staring eyes! Hmmm tasty!
Untouched is a short novella that follows after Touch (to keep us going a little until Toxic is released in September 2012). This time the story is from Kale's  point of view, so it has some humour, as he is still relatively new to the experiences of the outside world away from Denazen Corporation.  
Deznee and Kale are working with Ginger and the free sixes to try and keep as many sixes free from Denazen as they can. This means going to the sixes listed on the sheet that Brandt got hold of and convincing them to hide away from Denazen and its employees, better still is to talk them into fighting the fight against Denazen.
In this story we meet Kiernan. we learn that Deznee is still the bloshy girl she always was who puts her life on the line to help others.
We also learn a little more about Kale. We learn he was tortured emotionally as well as physically by a Denazen Agent called Samsen.
Kale and Deznee's love is still blooming, even though they face danger all around them.
So, did I enjoy the novella? Yes ....BUT it made me want Toxic now! Would I recommend reading this novella? Yes!

Available at Amazon.co.uk

TOUCH BY JUS ACCARDO

ISBN: 9781937044459
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Pages: 251
Format: Paperback, Kindle

BLURB from Goodreads

When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home. 

Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized. 

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe. 

A secret Kale will kill to protect.

 MY REVIEW

Hmm.... I like the cover, I presume from reading the book, the gorgeous guy on the front is Kale! I will readily admit at the very beginning of the book I found this book a little hard to follow I didn't really know immediately, whose Point of view the book was from, who the main character was, was it going to be Brandt, Gilman or this girl whose name we had yet to find out? I persevered with the very beginning and it turned out the main character is a girl called Deznee - odd name I know, but it makes perfect sense later in the book where her name came from.
It is a rather involved complex story, well worth reading. The book revolves around Kale, Deznee and  Denazen, the company that Deznee's father works for. Deznee thinks that Denazen is a law firm, but that is only the front for something much much more sinister and dangerous. 
It's very action packed, with a confused love triangle thrown in too.
As you will see in the blurb from Goodreads, Denazen is literally "kidnapping" kids with special powers and then holding them captive and using them to deal out Denazen's own brand of punishments to whom they see fit. So what special power does Kale have? Well I don't do spoilers but as it says above in the blurb I can say Kales touch Kills any living thing he touches be it human or plant, animal etc etc. 
Can Kale evade being re-captured? Can Kale, Deznee and some of her friends bring down Denazen or will they end up being swallowed up into the corporation themselves? And why is Deznee suddenly so desperate to bring down Denazen and help the "prisoners" escape?
There are plenty of twists and turns along the way. I won't say too much as that would give away spoilers. So what can I compare it to? I would say if you have read and liked Replication by Jill Williamson then you would also really enjoy this book too. this book is book one in the Denazen Series and what a great start to a series, it has me hooked!
So, did I enjoy it? Slower to start but then really enjoyed it! Would I recommend it? Yes.
Would I read more of the Denazen Series? Already reading Untouched.... I have to find out what happens next!

Available at Amazon.co.uk

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - S.M. BLOODING

What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?

Hi! I’m Frankie and I write under the pen name SM Blooding. I was born in Colorado. We moved around a lot. Dad was a Marine and then he went into the coal mines and eventually into electrical construction. By the time I graduated high school and went into the ARMY, we’d moved twenty-seven times.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

From the very beginning? Well, I’d say probably anywhere from 6 months to a year. I storyboard and plot map and do a lot of research. It really depends on the story. If I’m creating a whole world, I’ll make the solar system out of Styrofoam and hang it from my ceiling to get a better idea of days, weeks, months, years and seasons. I’ll create maps, histories, map out the different types of creatures.

Or if the plot is INTENSE like in my paranormal thrillers, and there’s a mystery to solve, there’s a lot of research involved in how people really die and what forensic evidence we could use or which evidence we can’t. I’m probably on a red list somewhere on the government’s database. I’m fairly certain that if I applied for security clearance, I’d be REJECTED! LOL!

By the time I’m ready to write, it only takes me about 4-6 weeks to actually write the book.

Which of your books were easier/harder to write than the others?

Book 2!!! *shakes head* Wow! Its just amazing! Book 1 of all my series were brutal compared to Book 2! Everything’s already figured out! We know the world. There’s a lot less guessing. We know the characters. *shrug*

But Book 3 is a BEAR unless you take GREAT notes through the first two books! I’m just warning you! Wow! My head hurt after writing Book 3 of the Demon Talker Novels.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

I’m actually working on Book 2 of the Dreamland Stories right now. Granted, I’m still in brainstorm mode, but I’ll be writing it down in about two weeks!!! I’m very excited! We’ll get to see the nightmares and different parts of Dreamland you probably didn’t expect to see. I’m SO excited!!!

If you had to choose to be one of your characters in your book/books which would you be? and why?

That’s so tough! Um…*thoughtful look* Oh, geez! Um…I thought I had an answer to this question! Ooohhhhh…*smiles* Oh! I’d be Telfgar! The dragon in Luk’s realm. *snorting with laughter* I always wanted to be a dragon.

Do you have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?

Oh GADS YES! I get SCARED when my normal BETA’s are too busy (I write ridiculously fast and they’re all writers too!) But I’m getting new BETAs and I am always on the lookout for more.

Do you gift books to readers to do reviews?

Absolutely! They’re the ones who really get the word out there! I’ve given away…a lot of  free books. LOL! And it helps. I can tell.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

Oh yes.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?

Absolutely not! However! I can read through the review and see why they said what they did. Some people are not going to like my writing style. *shrug* That’s just going to happen. And some people are going to read my book even though they don’t read the genre. *shrug* That happens too. The only thing that really irks me is when someone posts a review and mentions typos when it’s a pre-release ARC. There are going to be typos in a pre-release ARC. *shakes head* But that’s the only irk I have when reading my reviews.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

It depends. The Dreamland Stories are going title first. The Nightmare. The Dreamslayer. The Mechanic. The Dreammaker. I’m having a lot of fun with it.

But the others usually happen story first. Those titles are a lot more fun, a lot more creative and usually come straight from the dialogue. Don’t be surprised if there’s a book out there someday titled, Oh…Shit. Just saying. Best line in the book so far, hands down and it’s easy to google that title. LOL!

Is there anything in your book/books you would change now if you could and what would it be?

I was just informed by my boyfriend that semis have EIGHTEEN wheels. Not sixteen. So…that will be changed in the next version of The Dustman. LOL! Other than that?

Always!

Where can readers follow you?

http://www.smblooding.com/

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http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5234671.S_M_Blooding