Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Skye by Kimberly Loth - Excerpt & Giveaway


Skye
The Dragon Kings, #4

Kimberly Loth

Publication date: October 19th 2016
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Rowan Winters is completely in love. With a shifter dragon.
But the drop-dead gorgeous Skye only thinks of Rowan as her best friend. But when she turns up in his room in the middle of the night in tears, he yearns to do whatever he can to help her. Even if that means running away and letting his family think he’s dead.
Skye’s entire world turns upside down the day her scales turns black. She knows she’ll have to flee to find answers. But she wasn’t planning on Rowan coming too. She just wanted to say goodbye. He is so eager to help that she can’t leave him behind even though she knows she’ll never be able to love him in return.
Together, they fight off murderous dragons and uncover sinister plans. But can they find the answers Skye so desperately seeks? And can Rowan sacrifice everything he knows to win her heart?


EXCERPT:

Skye was a coward. She knew that, but she couldn’t bring herself to stay and watch Sid and Aspen commit suicide. There was no way the council would allow Aspen to become queen.

Not to mention that then Skye would have to know the exact moment when she died, because anyone who pledged loyalty to Sid would die the second he did. No, running away was better. She should have enough time to get to her parents before death came. She’d able to say goodbye.

This was her fault. Pearl had told her to keep Aspen safe. Instead she’d gone and made everything worse. Maybe if she’d kept Aspen at home, Sid would’ve been fine.

If she’d never given Sid that damn loyalty seal, she wouldn’t be this close to death. She wasn’t sure what she was thinking at that time. Part of her thought he’d make it. Another part didn’t care whether she lived or died. It wasn’t like she’d have much of a life anymore.

When Sid became King she found Everett and begged him to remove the seal that marked how much she loved him. He did and now she longer had a swirl of gold on her ankle. But Everett warned her there would be a price to pay. She gladly paid it at the time, but but she hadn’t expected to feel so empty.

For a half second she thought about heading to Everett’s instead of her parents. Maybe he could remove the loyalty seal before she died. She shook her head. How cowardly of her. The price would not be worth it. That was for sure.

She was only fooling herself though. She would make the same decision if given the choice. Aspen was the only way they could possibly survive. When Skye dropped Aspen off , there were three possible outcomes. One, she and Sid would die and all those with loyalty seals would as well. Two, Helios, the final dragon that Sid needed to secure all the loyalty seals got to him before the council had a chance to killed him. Or three. Aspen could be become queen. She’d have to convince the council that she should be queen and pass the queen’s tests She hoped Aspen could do it.

She felt her wings tiring. This could be the beginning of her death. She hadn’t known anyone who had died because of the loyalty seal and didn’t know how it worked. She spotted a lake below her and decided to stop and get a drink. She had to make it home.

Skye landed a little rougher than normal. This had to be the end. She staggered over to the water and took a deep drink. The water sparkled under the full moon. Skye stretched her wings out and swiveled her neck around to scratch her nose. She froze. Her wing was no longer silver.

This must be part of her death. Or at least that was what she tried to convince herself of. Adrenaline coursed through her veins and she no longer felt tired. Dragons didn’t change color before they died. In fact dragons never changed color. Except when they became king. Then they turned black.

Skye spun neck around the other direction. It was more than her wings that had changed. Her whole body was now a deep coal black.

This was impossible. There was no way she could become king. Sid was king. Unless he died. Then someone else would take his place, but that someone had to be a full royal dragon and male. Of which she was neither. There had to be some huge mistake. This had to be a dream. She stuck her head in the cold water and came out again. Still black. This wasn’t possible.

Unless.

That stupid prophecy.

The one that said three kings would rise. The one that said they could come from other races. But she was still female. Something was definitely wrong. She was also still very much alive. She couldn’t go see her parents now, not like this. No, she had to go see the one dragon who could explain how this happened.

She wracked her brain trying to think of everything she’d learned about the prophecy. She loved history and so she studied a lot, but this baffled her. Nothing in the prophecy said anything about a girl. She’d spent hours listening to Everett’s boring details about the prophecy, yet he hadn’t mentioned that females could become kings. He was so in for it.


Author Bio:
Kimberly Loth can’t decide where she wants to settle down. She’s lived in Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, California, Oregon, and South Carolina.
She finally decided to make the leap and leave the U.S. behind for a few years. After living in Cairo, Egypt for 2 years, she's decided to go to the Far East and currently calls Shenzhen, China home. She loves romantic movies, chocolate, roses, and crazy adventures.




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Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Fall Into Cash - $250 Giveaway

Yay! It's finally fall-- my favorite time of the year! I just wish my trees dropped money like the one in the graphic. I'd wouldn't mind raking leaves as much ;)



Fall Into Cash 2016

Fall Into Cash $250 Giveaway
October 15th to November 15th

  Enter for your chance to win a $250 Amazon Gift Code or $250 in Paypal Cash. Thanks to this awesome group of bloggers and authors who have joined with me to bring you one fabulous prize!!
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Giveaway Details
$250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card Ends 11/15/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  


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Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Party

Welcome to the Sci-Fi and Fantasy Book Party!

Welcome to the genreCRAVE Science Fiction and Fantasy $1200 Giveaway! We have something really exciting set up for you. First, some KILLER Science Fiction and Fantasy books at a steal, and after that, a chance to enter our $1200 Gift Card Giveaway! Read on for more information, but first, check out the books from our sponsors at the link below!

VIEW BOOKS FROM THE SPONSORS HERE!

—
Here are a couple of sneak peeks!
Ambassador 1: Seeing Red

 I had never been on first-name terms with the president, but while I sat there trying hard not to succumb to jet-lag, he chatted about my father, whom I had just visited, and who had finally retired from Lunar Base to his native New Zealand. Sirkonen opened the drawer of his desk and took something out, which he flipped across the gleaming wooden surface. I could do nothing but catch it. A datastick. I turned it over. The black plastic cover reflected the sunlight.

“What’s on it?”

“You might find it useful. Think of it as some . . . personal advice, from me to you. We’ll talk about it later, when you return for your first briefing.” He shut the drawer with a thud as if closing the subject.

This was highly irregular. “Mr President, can I ask—”

He shook his head, and offered me a drink—Finnish vodka, best in the world, he said. While he poured, his hands trembled.

I should have insisted that he tell me what was wrong, but who was I? An unimportant, sending-out-our-feelers type of diplomat, expendable and twenty years his junior. Not the type of person to draw attention to his problems—with alcohol or otherwise.

We made a toast. The heavy scent of the vodka did nothing to improve my alertness.

“Mr Wilson, when you come back in six month’s time, you must present your report to the general assembly. We need to know in detail what sort of regimes we’re dealing with.”

I didn’t understand why he spoke in such empty generalities; I wondered when he was going to open that folder on his desk and sign the contract. Nicha, my Coldi assistant, was waiting in the foyer. We had a whole heap of work to catch up on. I was annoyed that Sirkonen had changed our meeting time at the last minute—the original meeting had been scheduled for tomorrow morning.

Sirkonen stopped speaking.

I stared at him, realising with embarrassment that I’d been off with the fairies. Was I meant to have said something? Was I breaking rule number one of the diplomatic circle: never show any sign of sleep deprivation?

An attack of dizziness overtook me. My vision wavered, as if the world were painted on a silk flag that flapped in the wind, and all the furniture was rimmed in a red aura. “Mr President, I’m—”

I just managed to put my vodka down. The glass hit the wood with a soft clunk, the only sound in the frozen silence.

There was a small sound from outside, a click.

As if stung, Sirkonen turned to the window; his eyes widened.

“Sir?”

The president opened his mouth, but a sharp crack interrupted his words.

—
Releasing Rage
She stepped into the firewall square. The door behind her closed and she authorized the interior door to open.

A buzz swept over her. No, not simply over her. Into her. She gasped, her inhalation of air drawing more of this unknown presence inside her.

It was too much, almost suffocating. Joan swayed, lightheaded. “Do not faint. Do not faint,” she repeated to herself, closing her eyes.

The rolling under her feet gradually stopped. She opened her eyes and wished she hadn’t. Crimson spray covered everywhere she looked. Gore was splattered into the farthest corners, hanging from the ceiling. Cleaner bots scrubbed the walls and floor.

This was why she felt dizzy, she reasoned. She smelled and sensed this butchery.

C899321, the being she had been told was responsible, stood in his uploading dock, a cable inserted into his nape, his towering form naked, covered with blood, his long black hair dripping with it.

He turned his head, locked his gaze with hers and she sucked in her breath. There were worlds of agony, of rage, in those bright blue eyes. This was no rational, logic-driven cyborg. This was a man, an animal, crazed by bloodlust and pain.

“They thought to pacify me with the use of a human female?” he thundered, his deep gravelly voice clawing across her skin, awakening parts in her she didn’t realize slept. “I’d kill you before I allowed you to touch me.”

This insult didn’t hurt her the way he’d intended. Joan knew she wasn’t the slim tiny female males desired. She was solidly built, good breeding stock, as her mother had once said.

She discarded his words and focused on the torment in his tones. He hurt. Horrifically. Her fingers twitched, the urge to reach out to him, to comfort him, tremendous. Judging by the flex of his powerful biceps and thigh muscles, by the anger radiating from him, he wouldn’t appreciate that response.

He also wouldn’t listen to any command she issued. A reprimand, verbal or physical, would add to his hostility. Some being had already tried to restrain him and failed. The reportedly unbreakable wrist and ankle cuffs attached to the frame of the uploading dock had been shattered, rendered useless.

Joan discarded four solar cycles’ worth of theory on how to handle malfunctioning cyborgs, realizing now that the academy experts knew nothing.

Her late father, however, had taught her how to deal with wild beasts.

“I would never touch you without your permission.” She lowered her gaze, showing submission, recognizing C899321 as the dominant male he was. He’d seek to harm any aggressor, to protect himself and his territory. If she wasn’t female, she suspected she’d already be dead.

“I also would never hurt you.” Joan stuffed a couple of cleaning cloths into her pockets and dropped to her knees, into a puddle of red. The moisture soaked through her flight suit. “I’m here to serve you, to clean you.”

—

GIVEAWAY!
Entering is easy! Directions are on the Rafflecopter, but as an overview:
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  3. You may unsubscribe at any time, but reporting as Spam will get you disqualified from all future giveaways, and we run some pretty awesome giveaways (in the last 30 days, we’ve given away multiple books as well as a $2000 and $1000 gift card, and now this $1200 one!)
  4. Winner will be announced at our Facebook Party and contacted via Email. We will have other prizes at the Facebook Party as well!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS FOR SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY FANS ONLY. IF YOU ARE NOT AN AVID READER OF THOSE GENRES, YOUR ENTRY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. Please do not try to find a way around this. There will be other giveaways Enter this one if you love SCIENCE FICTION and FANTASY! Thank you!

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Thursday, October 13, 2016

Empower by Ashley Stambaugh - Excerpt

Empower
The Collide Trilogy, Book Three

 Ashley Stambaugh

New Adult Urban Fantasy/Suspense
Clean Reads
October 5, 2016

 Amazon | B&N

 You have to have the dark to see the light.
Over a month has gone by since Melina won her internal battle between good and evil. She and the elders have been vigilantly waiting for Maura and Adelia to enact their plan, but there have been no signs of them anywhere. Then one day, Melina sees a Noxin demon lurking behind an old building. As more and more demons start to appear around town, she begins to worry that their plan may have already been put into play.

While Melina tries to figure out what the demons are up to, she starts to notice a sudden increase in her negative emotions, which in turn seem to be amplifying her powers. At first, she likes how strong it makes her feel. But when she realizes that her newly acquired demon powers are the cause of her sense of empowerment, she wants nothing to do with it. Even though she has reversed her demon powers to do good, she still sees them as coming from an evil source and fears that by using them the evil she fought so hard to overcome will rise up in her again.

But as the demon activity increases, and the people in her town, including all the people she cares about the most, start to display strange and violent behavior, Melina finally understands that if she wants to stop the demons and help her friends, she must embrace not only the good in her but also the bad. Because the only way to truly empower herself is by finding a way to use them together.


Excerpt

            She turned to look at the front of her store and saw that the huge front window had been completely busted in, allowing the chilly winter air to blow right through the room. The rest of the store wasn’t in any better shape. Broken glass, splintered wood, and burnt, ripped up books and paper covered the entire floor. She felt like she should be having déjà vu, seeing as how her store had been destroyed by Noxin demons before, but there was a difference this time. She didn’t have her friends to help her pick up the pieces.
            Before she was able to get teary-eyed again, she heard footsteps coming from behind her. She turned around and saw that Walter was back, and he had Phinneas, Cecil, and Helene with him. They all nodded at Henry, who nodded back at them, and then they all returned their focus to Melina.
            “Hi,” Melina said as she gave them all a slightly confused look. “What are you all doing here?”
            “I thought it was necessary to tell them what’s happening with you,” Walter said.
            Melina pulled her robe a little tighter around her and turned her gaze down to the floor. She wondered if they were disappointed in her for not telling any of them sooner.
            “Melina,” Phinneas said as he took a step toward her. “None of us blame you for feeling the way you do. The fear you have of your anger and of your demon powers is completely valid. But it’s nothing to be afraid of, or ashamed of. I’ve told you before, not everyone is all good or all bad. We all have good and evil in us.”
            “Yes,” Melina said as she nodded her head. “I remember you saying that. But then you also said that we just have to choose which one is going to win, and I chose good.”
            “And I’m so glad you did,” Phinneas said. “But just because you chose good and were able to reverse the demon powers to use them for good, doesn’t mean that the bad aspects of the demon powers aren’t still a part of you, too.”
            “Melina,” Walter said as he took a step toward her. “To truly embrace all of your powers, you must accept not only the good aspects of them but also the bad. I can only imagine how strong it must make you feel when your emotions amplify your powers, but instead of fighting them and trying to stop them, feel all of those emotions and use them in a good way. Use them to empower yourself.” He paused for effect and then continued. “You have become a force to be reckoned with. You just need to learn to accept them and then control them.”
            Melina’s eyes were filled with tears again. His words reminded her of what Lee had told her—that she needed to accept all of herself. She knew they were both right, but she still couldn’t let go of her hesitation and fear.
            “But what if it makes me susceptible to being taken over by evil again?” She bit down on her lip as she stared over at Walter with eyes full of distress.
            He gave her a reassuring smile. “I know you’re scared, but I also think that you know, deep down, that you’re not going to be taken over by evil again. This is just how the demon powers are going to work in you. We all experience negative emotions, Melina. But it's what we do after the emotions arise that matters. We can act upon those negative feelings and let them control us, or we can feel them, acknowledge them, but then choose not to act on them. And instead of letting them control us, use them as motivation for something good.” He was silent for a moment then said, “You have to have the dark to see the light.”
            Melina sat quietly as his last words sunk in. She had never thought of it that way, but he was right. She had both light and dark in her, just like everyone else, but she just needed to make sure that her light always shone brighter.



Get Book One for 99¢ thru Oct 31
Amazon


About the Author

Ashley Stambaugh grew up in a small town in Illinois where she and her two siblings created some of the best memories playing on their family’s farm. She stayed in the southern region of the state to attend college where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and also met her husband.

Now, she and her husband live in central Illinois and spend their time creating new memories with their two rambunctious boys. She also enjoys reading, taking long walks, and finding great bargains. When her sons are a little bit older, she has a great desire to travel with her family. Oh, and she also has a slight obsession with chocolate.

When she’s not busy chasing after her two young children or losing herself in a good book, you can find her curled up on her couch with her laptop, writing.

Social media links

Website: www.ashleystambaugh.blogspot.com
Facebook author page: www.facebook.com/ashleystambaughauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashleystambaugh
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8054295.Ashley_Stambaugh
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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Review: The Daemoniac by Kat Ross + Giveaway


The Daemoniac
A Dominion Mystery, #1
Kat Ross
Publication date: October 12th 2016
Genres: Historical, Mystery, Young Adult
It’s August of 1888, just three weeks before Jack the Ripper will begin his grisly spree in the London slum of Whitechapel, and another serial murderer is stalking the gas-lit streets of New York. With taunting messages in backwards Latin left at the crime scenes and even more inexplicable clues like the fingerprints that appear to have been burned into one victim’s throat, his handiwork bears all the hallmarks of a demonic possession.
But consulting detective Harrison Fearing Pell is convinced her quarry is a man of flesh and blood. Encouraged by her uncle, Arthur Conan Doyle, Harry hopes to make her reputation by solving the bizarre case before the man the press has dubbed Mr. Hyde strikes again.
From the squalor of the Five Points to the high-class gambling dens of the Tenderloin and the glittering mansions of Fifth Avenue, Harry and her best friend, John Weston, follow the trail of a remorseless killer, uncovering a few embarrassing secrets of New York’s richest High Society families along the way. Are the murders a case of black magic—or simple blackmail? And will the trail lead them closer to home than they ever imagined?

Review: I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review

Top Ten Reasons You Should Read The Daemoniac Now!

~Main character, Harry, is everything I love in a female lead: intelligent, driven, and somewhat fearless in her pursuit of the truth. Plus her uncle is Arthur Conan Doyle-- all kinds of awesome! 
~John Weston, Harry's stalwart friend. I fell in love with him and really hope that Harry does too!
~Intriguing story/plot with lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.
~Author Kat Ross has a writing style that flows so nicely, drawing the reader in through Harry's POV.
~Wonderful pacing made this novel almost impossible to put down.
~This is the perfect season for a supernatural mystery- with the cool weather and Halloween decorations popping up everywhere, it makes the read that much better
~Interesting time period. Something about the Victorian Era just lends itself to the paranormal. Anything seems possible and believable, especially with the rise of Spiritualism.
~Hints at Jack the Ripper- need I say more? One of the most enduring serial killer mysteries
~Jekyll and Hyde- a timeless classic re-imagined in this YA historical mystery.
~1st in a series- we know from the get-go that this is only the beginning!



Author Bio:
Kat Ross worked as a journalist at the United Nations for ten years before happily falling back into what she likes best: making stuff up. She lives in Westchester with her kid and a few sleepy cats. Kat is also the author of the dystopian thriller Some Fine Day (Skyscape, 2014), about a world where the sea levels have risen sixty meters. She loves magic, monsters and doomsday scenarios. Preferably with mutants.



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Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Interview with Shonna Slayton, Author of Spindle + Giveaway


Welcome to Shonna Slayton, author of Spindle!

Tell us about the main character. Who is Briar Rose?

Briar Rose is an everyday girl from the 1890s. She’s the daughter of poor Irish immigrants, the oldest sibling, and the one left in charge after her parents die. She’s a girl who had it all worked out until her world fell apart. She doesn’t know it, but she’s on a journey of self-discovery, a shared journey with other girls during her time who learn that they can work together to raise each other up. She lives during the early days of the suffrage movement, working in the cotton mill, and living in the company boarding house. She is a girl who struggles between duty and love. And for her sake, we want love to win out.

Spindle sounds like an interesting twist on Sleeping Beauty. What inspired you during the creation? Did you have a plan before you started writing?

I started with a rough plan by brainstorming the major turning points. This way, I had targets to write toward, but left lots of flexibility to let events to unfold naturally. For historical inspiration, I read the writings of the Lowell mill girls from the mid 1800s to learn what life was like back then living in the boarding houses and working in the mill. These girls were pioneers, and quite well spoken. I hope I did them justice.

What is your favorite fairy tale?

Tangled, Disney’s version of Rapunzel. I was not a fan of the original fairy tale, but how Disney spun it was pure genius. I loved the addition of the lanterns on her birthday to give Rapunzel a dream to chase.

Brothers Grimm/Hans Christian Anderson or Disney? Which do you prefer?

Disney. I prefer the non-gory fairy tales with a Happily Ever After ending (see above question)

What must you have handy for a productive writing session?

Laptop running Scrivener software. If out in public—an ipod. Amaretto latte hot or cold; both are delicious.

If you could visit any fictional place, where would you go?

Oooh. Good question! Wow. The little kid in me is going crazy…which to choose!!?? Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. I’d like a taste of that chocolate river.

What’s your favorite TV show or movie?

Toss up between Anne of Green Gables and The Princess Bride. 


Where can readers find you online?

My website to sign up for my new release newsletter—home base for all upcoming book news and freebies. Twitter for occasional announcements, Facebook if you want to chat, Pinterest for my fairy-tale or history boards, and Instagram for random bookish and vacation photos.


Spindle

Shonna Slayton

Fantasy/Fairy Tale Retelling
Entangled Teen
October 4, 2016
In a world where fairies lurk and curses linger, love can bleed like the prick of a finger…
Briar Rose knows her life will never be a fairy tale. She’s raising her siblings on her own, her wages at the spinning mill have been cut, and the boy she thought she had a future with has eyes for someone else. Most days it feels like her best friend, Henry Prince, is the only one in her corner…though with his endless flirty jokes, how can she ever take him seriously?
When a mysterious peddler offers her a “magic” spindle that could make her more money, sneaking it into the mill seems worth the risk. But then one by one, her fellow spinner girls come down with the mysterious sleeping sickness…and Briar’s not immune.
If Briar wants to save the girls—and herself—she’ll have to start believing in fairy tales…and in the power of a prince’s kiss.

Entangled Publishing: http://entangledpublishing.com/spindle/

 About the Author

SHONNA SLAYTON writes historical fairy tales for Entangled TEEN. Cinderella's Dress and Cinderella's Shoes, set in the 1940s are out now. Spindle, a Sleeping Beauty inspired tale set in the late 1800s, will be out October 2016.

She finds inspiration in reading vintage diaries written by teens, who despite using different slang, sound a lot like teenagers today. When not writing, Shonna enjoys amaretto lattes and spending time with her husband and children in Arizona.

The best way to keep in touch is by signing up for her monthly newsletter. She sends out behind-the-scenes info you can't read anywhere else. Sign up is on the sidebar of her website Shonna Slayton.

Author Website: http://shonnaslayton.com/
Newsletter: http://shonnaslayton.com/new-release-mailing-list/


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Monday, October 10, 2016

Interview with Julie Wetzel, Author of Blazing Moon + Excerpt & Giveaway



Welcome to Julie Wetzel, author of Blazing Moon!

 Where are you from?
I’m originally from Ohio, but I hail from Jackson Mississippi right now.

Tell us your latest news?
There is a lot of stuff going on in my world right now.
Currently, I’m working with a lovely man by the name of Marcio Catalano to get the Kindling Flames series made into audio book. He has the most wonderful voice. We just finished with Smoke Rising and are waiting for it to come out before heading on to the next.
In addition to that, On the Accidental Wings of Dragons is up for a RONE award with InD’Tale Magazine. I should be getting the results of that any day now.
Right now I’ve got the next in the Dragons of Eternity series on my writing desk. I just need to find the time to get it going. Things have been a little hectic with getting this book out and planning for my overseas trip.

When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with the English language. I loved reading. I hated the way words were put together. My spelling was horrible. But I braved my first stories in 2010-2011 when my sister asked me to send her stories while she was deployed in the US Navy.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve had book in print for two years now and I still don’t consider myself a writer. I play with words, I throw them at the page, and I pray that what comes out is worthy to send out in the world. I’m still terrified that people are going to wake up and realize what I write is drivel. But I can’t leave my two series hanging like they are, so I push on trying to be a writer. These stories aren’t going to put themselves on paper. Just, please, don’t let anyone wake up yet. This is a good dream.

What inspired you to write your first book?
In 2010-2011, my sister was deployed aboard the USS George H W Bush. They were out at sea in a military action zone and had limited communications. My sister emailed me to ask if I could download some of her fanfictions and email them to her. The fanfiction site she used would not allow me to copy and paste the stories over and I refused to spend hours retyping them for her. So I told her I would write he a new story and I asked her what she wanted. She wanted vampires, so I wrote her a vampire story. I sent her a chapter a day so she would have something new in her in-box when she got off work. Shortly after that, I started getting mails from some of her other shipmates asking for chapters. My sister was sending chapters to her friends, but only the current chapter. She hadn’t bothered to send them all the chapters. So by the time I finished the story, I had a bunch of sailors on my email list and several wanting to know where they could buy the book to share with others. And so, a novel was born.

How did you come up with the title?
This is the sixth book in the Ancient Fire Series, also known as Kindling Flames. There is a reasonable explanation as to why the series ended up with two names, but that’s a long story. As to the actual name of the novel, this story steps away from the main characters of Darien and Vicky and deal with the events that take place in Brenton while they are away. Since most of the problems deal with the werewolves, we picked something to represent them: Moon. Now, to stick with the fire theme from the rest of the series, we picked the name Flaming. This led to an odd cadence in the title, so we changed it to a fire related word that hadn’t been used: Blazing. And so we ended up with the name of Kindling Flames – Blazing Moon. 

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Nope. I don’t write with a message in mind. My books are meant to entertain, not teach or preach.

How much of the book is realistic?
The basic setting is fairly realistic, but it’s a paranormal series. It’s about as real as vampires and werewolves can be.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

No. My life isn’t this interesting.

 What books have most influenced your life most?

Oh the books are endless. I can’t really name all the books that have some influence on me. I like high and epic fantasy most of all.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Sherry Ficklin. Not only do I love what she does, she had taken me in and helped me understand the world of writing. If I have a question, she is always right there with the answers I need. She’s always teaching me new ways to get into trouble. (Hey Sherry, I love your *face*!)

 What book are you reading now?
I’m trying to work my way through Jon Messenger’s Magic and Machinery series, but I haven’t been doing a good job at it. With everything that’s popped up, my reading has taken a side line. So far it’s a fabulous series. I’ll get back to it when life settles down after my overseas trip.

What are your current projects?
I have too many irons in the fire right now. The most important project is the four book in the Dragons of Eternity series, For the Kingdom of Dragons. I’ve also got a gender-bent retelling of the Little Mermaid, a pair of Deamon/Reaper books, and a book about Death and his troubles in the afterworld. I’m sure I’m missing a few others, but they will get their time to shine eventually.

 What would you like my readers to know? 

If you see me out and about, by all means, introduce yourself. I love meeting new people and am very friendly. I also hope you all enjoy the new book.



Blazing Moon
Kindling Flames #6

Julie Wetzel

 Published by: Crimson Tree Publishing
Publication date: October 10th 2016
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Trouble has once again found its way to Brenton…
When a pack of rogue werewolves makes a grab for the local pack’s land, Rupert, the local alpha, does his best to keep the peace. Unfortunately, his people have been having some issues of their own that complicate matters.
When Phelan, Rupert’s second, becomes the latest wolf to lose control over a simple dispute, Rupert is left with no choice than to seek outside help.
Krissy, a human empath who stumbled on the scene, was able to help Phelan, but dealing with an entire pack of enrage werewolves is too much for one person to handle. With Master Darien on his honeymoon, Rupert turns to his next best choice—Elliot.
Now Phelan, Elliot, and Krissy have to discover what’s driving the weres into an emotionally savage rage before all hell breaks loose and destroys the wolves of Brenton.

kindling-flames-series

Grab book 1 for FREE today!


EXCERPT:

“But you didn’t even try,” Phelan screamed. His fist clenched at his side in rage as he threw out his accusations. “You would rather coddle your damn vampire than stand behind the needs of your own people.”

Confusion and concern creased Rupert’s brow. This was unlike his friend. Phelan liked Darien. He had also understood Rupert’s position in the past. It was bizarre he would take such a stance now.

“Phelan?” Rupert asked as he reached out to touch his friend’s shoulder.

As the hand made contact, Phelan shrieked in rage and slung his fist into Rupert’s face, staggering the man back. Red colored Phelan’s vision as he tore out of his coat and leaped at his alpha. His mind spun with hate and rage, driving all thought out of his head. The smell of blood on Rupert’s split lip made Phelan’s blood boil. His wolf ripped through his skin, shredding his shirt.

Staggering away from his attacking friend, Rupert threw his arm up just in time to stop the sharp teeth from reaching the delicate skin of his throat. Shocked by the sudden attack, he yelled out as he fell backwards under the weight of the wolf. He lay on the ground, stunned by the sudden violence, as Phelan mauled the sleeve of his jacket. The outburst was unlike anything Rupert had ever seen from his second. The unprovoked attack reminded him of the problems they were having with the pack, and sorrow filled his heart as he gathered his thoughts enough to start fighting back. It wasn’t fear of death or injury that pained Rupert, it was the dread of having to hurt or kill one of his closest friends.


Author Bio:
Originally from Ohio, Julie always dreamed of a job in science. Either shooting for the stars or delving into the mysteries of volcanoes. But, life never leads where you expect. In 2007, she moved to Mississippi to be with her significant other.
Now a mother of a hyperactive red headed boy, what time she’s not chasing down dirty socks and unsticking toys from the ceiling is spent crafting worlds readers can get lost it. Julie is a self-proclaimed bibliophile and lover of big words. She likes hiking, frogs, interesting earrings, and a plethora of other fun things.

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