Saturday 30 June 2012

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - MARGARET CHATWIN






When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?
In my opinion there’s a difference between a "writer" and an "author." The word author is past tense to me. It means "I wrote a book." Whereas the word writer is present. It means "I currently write. I write every chance I get. I’m addicted to writing. I write when there’s nothing to write and I would write even if there was no such thing as a reader. I can’t stand to be without my laptop – I take it everywhere I go just in case I get a second to jot something down." In which case, I AM a writer and have been for as long as I can remember.
 
How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
Back in my glory days I use to write a full length novel in about ten days. I’d cry when it was finished, spend about a month mourning the loss of the friendship I’d had with my characters, toss the manuscript in a box in the closet and then repeat the process by starting a new story.
Those manuscripts stayed in storage for, ummm, about ten years. But now, one by one, I’ve been getting them out, revamping, updating, editing and getting them ready for print, which takes about three to four months. Depending on how much time I’m required to spend in the real world.
 
What genre would you place your books into?
I’ve never written with a genre in mind. I didn’t even know what the word genre meant when most of my books were originally written. I’ve always just written whatever feels right at the moment. So, needless to say, I have a real eclectic mix of books. I have three books out now. Sweet so Fragile, is more of a family/real-life drama. Taking the Fall is a romantic action and 101 is for the older YA and has a hint of dystopian.
As far as my favorite style of writing – I like first person from a guys point of view, like 101 is written. Most of my manuscripts are written that way, so that’s most likely what you’ll be seeing from me in the future.
 
What was the toughest/best review you have ever had?
This wasn’t a written review, but it’s been my greatest complement so far. It was from a woman who was currently reading my book. She said, "Dang, this book! I can’t get nothing done." She was pretty upset too, and actually used a curse word, but I want this to be a family friendly interview. (Wink) I loved the comment because it meant she liked it enough that she couldn’t put my book down. I like when I’ve interrupted my readers sleeping, eating and daily routine, it means I’ve done my job as a writer correctly.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?
NO! If I’m going to go to that extent I may as well make up a bunch of aliases and go write my own reviews of my books. I mean seriously, what does a writer want reviews for? To see what people really think of their book, right? That’s certainly what I want out of a review.
Now, of course, I don’t think there’s any need for a reviewer to be crude, rude or overly cruel when reviewing a book. It is someone’s "baby" after all and that author does have feelings. But I think it’s perfectly fine for someone to say they didn’t care for the book and list the reasons why.
I personally appreciate an honest review because it helps me to improve as a writer. (I can’t fix it if I don’t know there’s a problem.)
I understand that not everyone is going to like everything I write. I can live with that. Each person is entitled to their own opinion, and it doesn’t make me a better person, or have a better book, to try taking that away from them.
 
Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
I’m just a pawn. I don’t make up my characters, they are just suddenly there, inside my head, pressing, pressing, pressing to get out. When I meet them for the first time, I’m able to feel, see and know them in their whole form. About the only thing I make up for them is a name. And to be honest I’m not even sure I do that. Because so often I’ll choose a name and . . . nope . . . just not the right one. Try again. Sometimes I go through a dozen plus names before "The One" presents itself to me.
Most of my books have been written because a character came to me. Rarely have I written a book for the plot. My job as a writer is to tell my character’s story in a way that does them justice. That will earn me the right to have the next character choose me as their voice.
 
How do you market/promote your books?
Oh, that has been the hardest part about being a self-published author for me. I just don’t know how to really get my books out there. So far I’ve been doing giveaways, and asking bloggers to help me gain exposure. My problem is this: Yes, I want people to read the books I’ve published, but I’d rather be writing the next one than promoting the last one. I’m a writer, not a marketer. But if I don’t market the book, no one will ever know they are there. And, though, I’ve never figured I’d ever make a living off my books, I have gotten a pretty cool rush just from the enjoyment others get from reading them, so I’ll keep trying. Gotta feed my need, you know.
 
What do you think makes a book a really good/bestseller?
Emotion. At least that’s what I like about a book. I like a book that makes me "feel" something. I think emotion is what makes characters believable, memorable and love/hateable. If hateable is even a word. Emotion is a universal language, something that connects us all. I might not understand the things you say, but if I see you smile I can tell how you feel and it makes me feel good too.
A really good writer can turn emotions/ feelings into words.
 
Have you ever based characters on people you know or based events on things that have happened to you?
Yes and no. My book Sweet so Fragile was based on a combination of real events. However, there is so much fiction thrown in that the lines are pretty blurred. But I’ve written over fifty manuscripts and that’s the only one I can think of that was based on events or people I know.
I guess you can find small pieces of me, magnified in each character that I write about, but I’m not sure that qualifies either.
Most of the time just the opposite happens. A character will pop into my head, want his or her story told and I’m left thinking, "How am I supposed to write that? I don’t know a single thing about it. Oh, man I’m really going to look like an idiot, this time." But doing research has been a lot of fun for me and I’m always glad for what I’ve learned.
 
Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
Big YES on that one. My books have so many hidden messages and morals that they are oozing out of the bindings. Nah, just kidding, not that many. But, yes, all of my books have at least one major moral. So what is the moral of the story? Well, that depends on who’s reading it. Every reader will find their own answer to that question because each person will pull from it what is most valuable to them.
 
Did you read a lot at school and write lots of stories or is being a writer something newer in your life?
I’ve never been the best reader in the world. I was one of those kids that read like this; See. Sp.. Sp... Spot. Run. Well, okay, not that bad but, you get the point. Besides not reading all that fluently, I had a very hard time finding books that appealed to me and kept my interest. So, I wrote my own books to fill that void. As I got older I was able to read better, but then due to some issues with my eyes, I’d get headaches if I read too much, so I just didn’t read. Again, I wrote to fill the void. Now that my eyes are getting much better, I’ve read more books than ever before. However, I’m still not a huge reader. Probably just because I never formed the habit. I do love books though! I could live in a library with books all around me and be happy as happy can be.
 
Do you or would you ever use a pen name?
I don’t use a pen name but I have to admit, I’ve thought about it. Day dreamed about how cool it would be to be some famous writer that everyone loved but no one really knew. It just has that mysterious feel to it. You could be sitting in a restaurant somewhere and people could be talking about you and your book, and you’d just smile to yourself cause they have no clue they’re in the same room with you.
 
Where can readers follow you?
 

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - OTHER BOOKS BY MARGARET CHATWIN




BLURB from Goodreads
During a robbery, Jace Sullivan’s wife, Cari, was murdered. If that wasn’t bad enough, she was seven months pregnant when it happened. Though medics were able to save the child, the unfavorable circumstances behind the premature delivery has left baby Colton with severe health issues.
Now, while trying to pick up the pieces of his own shattered life, Jace must watch helplessly as his son desperately fights to keep his fragile life. Meanwhile, his teenage daughter, Jorry, seems to be carelessly throwing hers away.





BLURB from Goodreads
Karen Hill does not need a hero clad in shining armor! She has never been saved by anyone except herself, and the last thing she needs is Michael Tanner claiming he’s going to save her now. Save her from what? As far as she’s concerned, he’s the only thing she needs saving from! Under Cover Narcotics Officer Mike Tanner is accustomed to being patient. Waiting and watching to see how things will play out. During his latest case, he has discovered that SharShay Cosmetic Company is distributing a major amount of pure cocaine and that the owner of the company, Miss Hill, is oblivious to it all. He’s content to let it stay that way, until a naive comment she makes put her life – and his – in jeopardy.

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - 101 BY MARGARET CHATWIN




BLURB from Goodreads
How do you get desperately needed answers when no one is talking? Who do you trust in a place full of criminals, a place where it’s easy to mistake friends for enemies and enemies for friends? And how is it possible for one girl to seemingly vanish into thin air, especially when the place is surrounded by sixteen foot high electric fences?
When Trigg and his sister Ren are sentenced to township 101 for the crime of defending themselves, and Ren suddenly comes up missing, Trigg must ask himself these same questions.
Something else he’d like to know is, how do you survive when the flaws of the NAO’s justice system has turned a simple punishment into a game of life or death?






Friday 29 June 2012

MORE ABOUT - MICHAEL WIGGE



So now that you have read the blurb of the book and my review of the book, you are probably a little curious about the man that actually undertook this mammoth task?
In this post I will try and tell you a little more about Michael and add some photos of his journey too.

So who is Michael Wigge? and where is he from?
Michael is from Berlin Germany. Michael is a journalist, comedian, documentarian, and world traveller. 


A little more about Michael Wigge?
Michael Wigge first started as an anchor on the German VIVA-program London Calling. Since then, the world has been his newsroom. Michael has gone from living with the native Yanomami Indian tribe in the Amazon rainforest to fighting Sumo Wrestlers in Japan.

So where is Michael Wigge living now?
Michael currently lives in Berlin,Germany but still prefers to be travelling.







When did he undertake this journey?
Michael zigzagged across four continents, and 11 countries in just 150 days, without any money in his pockets or wallet! I will say after reading the book that Michael is extremely resourceful and come up with some..er ..wacky ways to earn money for his journey.








So what did he do to earn money?
Michael's main ideas were 1. Avoid regular work and focus on unusual services in exchange for accommodation, travel, and food. 2. Engage people, Michael did take part in physical labour and was not afraid of hard work, as long as it was out of the ordinary in some way. 3. Michael was also highly aware that   people enjoy being let in on an ambitious plan, and therefore will contribute to help make the plan happen.
























So if you would like to learn even more about Michael's journey at howtotraveltheworldforfree.com


(Book and Information sheets provided by Megan at PRbythebook. The images are from google images.)

HOW TO TRAVEL THE WORLD FOR FREE BY MICHAEL WIGGE



ISBN: 9783000375433
Publisher: Michael Wigge
Pages: 196


BLURB from Goodreads
How to Travel the World for Free The unbelievable feat of traveling 25,000 miles—from Berlin to Antarctica—without any money! Join Michael Wigge as he immerses himself into fascinating subcultures, rides with Amish farmers in old-fashioned buggies, sleeps on the street with the homeless, and, with the help from alternative lifestylers, learns to nourish himself with flowers. Wigge had only 3 concerns during his travels: How do I get some food? How will I get to my next destination? Where can I sleep? …all without money! This unusual travel diary combines adventure with humour and contains surprising revelations about when money is really needed—and when it’s not. A must-read for every travel and adventure fan!


MY REVIEW
Firstly I will say I like the cover and think it depicts the book really well, as it shows Michael Wigge in his now rather shabby dirty clothing, looking rather downtrodden and tired,trying to hitch hike at the side of the road. What a contrast between how Michael looks and the beautiful scenery around him looks!
Initially when I read what Michael planned to do I admit I was sceptical. I mean how on earth was he going to get total strangers to give him food, shelter and money?
Well he did it! He did it on numerous occasions and in numerous cities. Was he ever in danger? Yes at times it seemed he was but just as you fear the worst someone would take pity on him ad take him in for the night or feed him. Was he ever tempted to give up? Yeah he explains in the book he has a few wobbles where he felt like giving up, but he always managed to push the doubts aside and continue his unique journey. 
Michael met many different types of people, those that had plenty, that he would do odd jobs like being a butler for the day for, to the simpler life-styled Amish people who took him in when he was at a low ebb and allowed him to rest up and be fed. The Amish then paid him for working with them and gave him a bike which allowed his journey to continue on at a faster pace for a while. Michael then manages to sell the bike and use the money to continue his journey.
Michael does some crazy, wacky things such as being a human sofa! Charging a dollar to be sat on! I really loved the pay a dollar for a pillow fight escapade. Especially when he gets wise and charges some students to fight each other with the pillows whilst he looks on resting and enjoying the show they are putting on.
It always seemed to be the people who had the least seemed to be the ones that gave the greater amounts and most willingly.
One of the great things about this book is that lots of people will love reading it. I mean you don't need to be a big reader to enjoy it. Its the type of book you can dip in and out of. It doesn't need to be read as a whole if you don't want to. Its very easy to slip in an out of. An ideal book to have in your bag when travelling on a boring journey somewhere.
So did I enjoy this book? Yes Would I read more by Michael Wigge? Yes if it were some similar strange journey he was trying to do. In fact I would love for him to travel from the highest tip in Scotland to our Lands End in Cornwall and see if he could do that with no money! Would I recommend this book? Yes, its a great, light,educational yet amusing book. I would have loved to watch the TV series that aired in America.

(This book was sent to me to review by Megan at PRbythebook, so thankyou! )


Available from Amazon.co.uk

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - HOW TO TRAVEL THE WORLD FOR FREE BY MICHAEL WIGGE




BLURB from Goodreads


How to Travel the World for Free The unbelievable feat of traveling 25,000 miles—from Berlin to Antarctica—without any money! Join Michael Wigge as he immerses himself into fascinating subcultures, rides with Amish farmers in old-fashioned buggies, sleeps on the street with the homeless, and, with the help from alternative lifestylers, learns to nourish himself with flowers. Wigge had only 3 concerns during his travels: How do I get some food? How will I get to my next destination? Where can I sleep? …all without money! This unusual travel diary combines adventure with humor and contains surprising revelations about when money is really needed—and when it’s not. A must-read for every travel and adventure fan!


Available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk £7.52 in paperback or 3.08 on kindle.

Thursday 28 June 2012

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - MARSHA A. MOORE






What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
I’m Marsha A. Moore and am originally a Hoosier, born in Terre Haute, Indiana. Today, I live in the Tampa area with my husband. We moved from the Toledo, Ohio area three years ago, so I’m still learning to be a Floridian. We love it here! The change has been a wonderful adventure. I like being outdoors any day I choose, whether I’m kayaking, hiking, or cycling. I love the water and aspire to be a beach bum. I write chapters for my book on our dock or at the beach. Inspiration from nature fuels my writing.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
As early as I can remember I’ve always been driven by creativity. In college, I wanted to pursue Literature and Fine Art, but my parents encouraged me to study Biology, so I might eventually find a reliable job. That was fine, since I liked that subject also. My compromise—a Biology major and an English minor. I wrote essays as a fun break from my full load of Science. Yes, weird that I thought writing essays was fun…still do!

When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?
I didn’t aim to be a fiction author. My path evolved to this end. Years after graduating, I worked as a rock music reviewer just for fun. During that time, I was inspired by some of those experiences and tinkered with fiction. Initially, I wrote fiction based on the world of rock music. Through a lucky happenstance, a man who worked for a major book publishing house read my first attempts at fiction, which were posted on a music forum. He repeatedly encouraged me to submit my creative writing. Over time, I came to believe him and did. After that, a new world opened up and it’s been a wonderful time.

Do you work another job as well as your writing work?
I write full-time, but my hobbies often transform into part-time jobs. I recently enrolled in a yoga teacher training program. I want to take my practice to a deeper level. Beyond personal gain, I’m eager to see what paths open to me that will allow me to share this wonderful way of life with others. I’m keenly interested in working to help those in need of rehabilitation from injury or illness. I’ve taught high school for seventeen years and my parents were teachers, so teaching is a natural part of my life. I gain from giving.

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?
I have some books released by a publisher, MuseItUp Publishing, and others self published.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
I plan a new book or series for many months while I’m writing another. Once I begin the actual writing process, it takes about three to four months to have a draft ready to give to my editor.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
I love epic fantasy and will likely do more in that subgenre.  I especially enjoy reading magical realism, mythpunk, and mythic fiction—all subgenres that sit on the border between fantasy and literary fiction. I expect my writing will shift in that direction over time.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
I’m currently finishing up writing the third Enchanted Bookstore Legend, Lost Volumes. I’m expecting a September release for that book.

What genre would you place your books into?
Fantasy romance.

What made you decide to write that genre of book?
I like the complexity of fantasy, the feeling of being transported into another world. However, most fantasy books are written for young adults. In my reading, I longed to find more fantasies written for adults. The element of romance I include is far less about adding sex than about adding deeper connections between the hero and heroine, allowing them to be more three-dimensional and work with more complex issues.

Do you have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
I am in love with the series I’m presently writing—the Enchanted Bookstore Legends. It’s a blast to write all the interwoven subplots, clues, and red herrings that will be unwind slowly in later books. The scope of an epic fantasy written over a series of five books is something I’m really enjoying.

Do you have a favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?
This is a truly epic tale with a large and wonderful cast of otherworldly characters, including many talking animals. My main characters, Lyra and Cullen, must attempt difficulties that stretch their abilities over numerous quests. But, my secondary characters often bring laughter and lighten their loads, or encourage their strengths to persevere. I’m in the middle of writing the third book, so by now the personalities of my secondary animal characters really shine and they feel very real to me. I’m especially fond of my dragons, but one type stands out as a favorite—pseudodragons.
Pseudodragons are not true dragons. They are much smaller, being only three feet long, including their tails. In my legends, we get to know the pseudodragon Cullen keeps as his wizard’s familiar—a typical role for this species. His name is Noba, and he is a tiny burgundy-colored pseudodragon who has a heart of gold that makes people melt.

If you had to choose to be one of your characters in your book/books which would you be? and why?
Easily I would be Lyra. Reality always forms the framework of my stories. Actually, since this is a five-part series and I’m currently writing book #3, the more I look at this story, the more of myself I see. My heroine, Lyra, is very much connected to me. Even in the first chapter of the first book, the childhood memories brought to her mind by Cullen’s magical tea are actually all mine. How Lyra interacts with her Aunt Jean has been a way for me to work through my own issues with my mother’s failing health. Some scenes intentionally connect to my own experiences, like those, and others surprise me much later when I’m polishing my draft to send to my editor. I shake my head and hope no one other than my crit partners can identify the similarities.

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of your books?
I designed the covers for my Enchanted Bookstore Legends. I combined techniques of watercolor and digital painting to achieve the illustrated look I wanted for fantasy.

Do you basic plot/plan for your book, before you actually begin writing it out? Or do you let the writing flow and see where it takes the story?
My process begins with a setting I find interesting, somewhere I’d like to spend some time. In writing fantasy, world-building is everything. Then, I create the main characters, appearance and personality. From there, how they will become involved goes hand-in-hand with developing the plot. I do outline a lot, since there are many interwoven subplots in this series. This series is epic in scope, and details would get lost if I didn’t plan. Outside of the key features on the outline, I do allow the in-between progress in each chapter to flow freely, which I enjoy a lot. Some of the most imaginative bits arise that way.

What do you do to unwind and relax? Do you have a hobby?
I relax by creating. I love to draw, paint, and knit. I also enjoy gardening.  My active hobbies include yoga, cycling, and kayaking.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
Yes. The underlying theme is that compassion will win over evil.

What is your favourite book and Why?  Have you read it more than once?
I loved Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. The symbolism is amazing; the more you read, the more layers you find. Inspired by that, I like to hide things in my stories.
From the present, picking one book is too hard. The Harry Potter series is one of my all-time favorites. Again, the layering of hidden plots, which spin to completion later in the series, really captures my imagination. The last few books that really pulled me in were Natasha Mostert’s Season of the Witch and Erin Morgenstern’s Night Circus. In both of those, magic caused mental effects for both the giver and receiver. I enjoy the complexity of that theme and employ it myself in a very different way. My heroine, Lyra, must learn to mentally control her vast inherited powers as the new Scribe. That is something she struggles to master through the series.

What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)
I am currently reading Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb in ebook format, One Song: A New Illustrated Rumi in hardback, and Yoga and Meditation by Stephen Cope in hardback, and Practicing Sigil Magic by Frater U.D. in paperback. I am enjoying each one. Dragon Keeper is for fun, Practicing Sigil Magic is for writing research, and the other two are to expand my yoga practice.

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
Don’t work alone. Use a critique group. I love my crit partners. They’re my best friends. They keep me motivated, cheer with me for my successes, and support me when any hardships come along. My group is local, though the Florida Writers Association. I think it’s extremely important to find a local crit group rather than working only online. We benefit so much from collectively brainstorming how to solve everyone’s writing problems.

Do you or would you ever use a pen name?
I do use a pen name. The last name I use, Moore, is actually my mother’s maiden name, easier to spell and remember. I like it because it still feels like me.


Where can readers follow you?

Your Blog details?     http://MarshaAMoore.blogspot.com
Your Web site ?     http://MarshaAMoore.com
Your Goodreads author page?     http://www.goodreads.com/marshaamoore
Your Twitter details?     http://twitter.com/MarshaAMoore

And any other information you wish to supply?


EXCERPT - HERITAGE AVENGED BY MARSHA A. MOORE








Excerpt:

From Chapter 1: The Letter

Lyra worried about Cullen on his flight home. Despite the fact he was over two hundred years old, it was only his second plane trip. The few wizards of Dragonspeir who visited the real world seldom traveled far, and then not conventionally. He kept her safe in his world last summer. She intended to keep him safe in hers.
“Next!” the heavyset postmistress belted out.
 “I’ve got to hang up,” Lyra quickly whispered into her cell phone. “Be sure you call me when you land in Sault Saint Marie. Love you.”
She sighed and maneuvered to the clerk at the far end of the counter. If only they could live together in one world. She needed to learn more magic first and hoped to make a start in a few weeks, when she took her winter break from teaching to attend his Solstice Festival. Unfortunately, her formal lessons would have to wait until next summer.
When Lyra approached the counter, the woman peered over the top of her reading glasses as she shuffled papers. “Yes?”
“I’m here to pick up my mail from a vacation hold.”
“Theme of my day,” the postmistress muttered and then barked, “Name and ID.”
“Adalyra McCauley. Just since the day before Thanksgiving.” She fumbled in her purse and pulled the driver’s license from her billfold.
The women sighed, slid off her stool, and shuffled into a back room. A few minutes later, she lumbered back, carrying a small stack of letters, glossy ads, and magazines. She scooted the mail across the counter.
Lyra stuffed it all into a tote bag, then scurried to her silver Subaru sport wagon and tossed it into the passenger seat. Driving Cullen to the Tampa International airport and this stop barely left enough time to make it to the university in time to teach her ten o’clock class. But the memory of those lingering goodbye kisses made it worth the consequences.
She stopped for a red light at a twelve-lane interchange, tapping the wheel impatiently. The edges of the mail peeked out of the sack, tempting her. She pulled it into her lap and riffled through the letters. The usual bills. The signal remained red.
Thumbing quickly through familiar envelopes, one unusual return address caught her eye, William T. Betts, M.D., Washaw, Michigan—the island village location of Aunt Jean’s cottage on Lake Huron. Although addressed to Lyra, it had been sent to where her aunt lived prior to passing away. She couldn’t place his name as one of Jean’s doctors. Multiple postmarks revealed a path of forwarding, the oldest dated last August, a few weeks after the funeral. She checked the traffic light—still red.
She ripped open the envelope and yanked out the letter.
Dear Ms. McCauley:
I am writing this correspondence in my capacity of Birch County coroner. Please accept my condolences for the recent loss of your aunt, Jean Perkins. Prior to delivery of her remains to the Michigan State crematorium, her attending physician, Dr. Everett Schultz, requested an autopsy. Dr. Schultz and I wish to meet with you to discuss my findings at your earliest convenience.
                                                     Respectfully,
                                                     William T. Betts, M.D.
A horn honked from behind and jolted Lyra into a panic. Her limbs froze and her eyes returned for another glimpse of the letter. She wildly scanned the page, searching for additional information. Aunt Jean had died of cancer. What more could they tell her than that?
At the time of Jean’s death, the abrupt change in her symptoms puzzled Lyra and made her question the visiting nurse. Hours before, her aunt’s mind had been lucid. Her eyes were clear and her breathing soft and steady, not a raspy death rattle. Now those initial concerns seemed grounded.

The driver behind her laid on the horn.
The noise jarred Lyra to the present. She exhaled an arrested breath. To brace her shaking arms, her free hand clamped the steering wheel. Unable to coordinate, her foot slid off the clutch and stalled the car.
A chorus of horns blared.
After fumbling with the ignition, she restarted and herded her Subaru into the stream of traffic. She locked her eyes squarely ahead to avoid angry road-rage stares from passing motorists.
One car pulled alongside and tooted. Her eyes shifted onto the driver who flipped her off before speeding away.
Shaking, she gave up rushing to be on time. Keeping her car safely on the road was challenge enough. She hung back to allow other cars to pass.
Plodding in the slow lane, her thoughts drifted to the letter. What had the coroner found? In September, the funeral home wrote, indicating they stored her aunt’s ashes, as Lyra directed, until she returned to collect them. The director never mentioned any question about the cause of death.
Lyra shifted before engaging the clutch. Grinding gears vibrated the car. White-knuckling the wheel, she gratefully turned at the sign for Southern University. Finally in her assigned parking spot, she slumped into the seat.
Before getting out, she reread the letter to search for clues between the phrases. She found none, but the words “earliest convenience” loomed. The doctor wrote the letter three months ago. Would that lost time make a difference?
Was it possible someone harmed Jean? Hundreds in the village visited the funeral and expressed sorrow. What about that strange man, Revelin? He came to Jean’s home, supposedly working as an aide from the home care division of the local clinic. He acted suspicious, trying to read Lyra’s computer screen, open to her draft of the new version of the Book of Dragonspeir. Maybe a person from Dragonspeir? A few supporters of the evil Black Dragon could enter her world. But who? His alchemist, Tarom, possessed enough power and talent. A chill ran down her spine, thinking of his glowing red eyes and crimson cloak with moving tentacles at its hem. She sighed. No obvious evidence linked either man.
Sun rays reflected light through her windshield from the modern glass and concrete English building. This alerted her to pull herself together and go inside. After sucking in a deep breath to steady her nerves, she opened the car door and stepped out. Her legs shook under her weight. Her shoulders sagged under the load of the briefcase and bags. With an awkward gait, she ambled toward her building.
She stopped cold. Students raced around her to make their classes. What about Eburscon? Alchemist for the Imperial Dragon’s Alliance. She clenched a fist, recalling his haughty, antagonistic manner. He openly disapproved of Lyra’s influence on anyone in Dragonspeir.
Opening a side door off the parking lot, she checked her watch. Five minutes past the start of class time. She braced herself, rearranged her bags, and climbed two flights—a short cut to the classroom which avoided the department offices.
Three minutes later, she arrived in the room, out-of-breath and shaking, in no shape to teach. But, the chairman kept careful tabs on all his non-tenured professors, including Lyra.
Thankfully, the lesson was an easy one, reviewing short story reading assignments. The students in her American Lit course, just returned from a long Thanksgiving weekend, didn’t want to hear a rigorous talk about Emerson and Thoreau. Most eyed her with groggy stares, heads propped on elbows. A handful of alert and prepared students vied to contribute, snapping out responses to Lyra’s discussion questions. Usually she enjoyed pitting them against each other, but today she merely appreciated their participation.
Her mind wandered two thousand miles away. She watched the clock, counting the minutes until she could talk with Cullen during his layover in Detroit.



AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - MARSHA A. MOORE








Author Bio: 

Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Her creativity also spills into watercolor painting and drawing. After a move from Toledo to Tampa in 2008, she’s happily transforming into a Floridian, in love with the outdoors. 

Crazy about cycling, she usually passes the 1,000 mile mark yearly. She is learning kayaking and already addicted. She’s been a yoga enthusiast for over a decade and that spiritual quest helps her explore the mystical side of fantasy. She never has enough days spent at the beach, usually scribbling away at new stories with toes wiggling in the sand. 

Every day at the beach is magical! 

Author Links: Website: http://MarshaAMoore.com 




Goodreads author page http://www.goodreads.com/marshaamoore 





PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - HERITAGE AVENGED BY MARSHA A. MOORE



Heritage Avenged 

by Marsha A. Moore

Genre: Fantasy romance 

Blurb: 

Lyra McCauley receives an alarming letter from the coroner who evaluated her deceased aunt, originally thought to have died of cancer. The news causes Lyra to take leave from her job and travel from sunny Tampa to the frozen island community in northern Michigan. Questioning whether Dragonspeir magic was responsible for her aunt’s death, she resolves to learn the truth and accepts the Imperial Dragon’s appointment into the Alliance sorcery training. 

Additionally, becoming proficient in magic craft is the only way she can bridge the gap between her mortal human world and her lover’s. Cullen, a 220-year-old wizard, is dependent upon his Dragonspeir magic for immortality. He is her only family now; she cannot lose him. 

Evil forces block her and try to steal her inherited scribal aura. Riding a stealth dragon, a cloaked rider pursues Lyra. Both the Alliance and Dark Realm alchemists lay tricks and traps. Her aura equals that of the first and most powerful Scribe, but will Lyra’s novice training allow her to discover the truth? Will she be able to be with Cullen, or will the Dark Realm keep them apart?

Purchase Links:

Amazon Heritage Avenged: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Two ~ available for only $1.29

Amazon Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One ~ available for only 99 cents