Follow up from Love Least Expected: Kishan Paul Interview

One of the authors from the Love Least Expected anthology, due out in February is my fellow Scribophiler Kishan Paul.

Here Kishan talks about her writing:

*What has been the best advice you’ve received while writing?

Just write. Don’t worry about the editing or how it sounds until you’re done. Get your thoughts on paper. The rest will take care of itself.

*What can you tell us about your upcoming novel or any other stories you are working on?

Blind Love is my first novel, will be published by Samhain Publications the summer of 2015. I’m really excited about the story. Here’s the blurb for it:

At twenty nine, psychologist Lauren Baxter has a successful counseling practice. Since becoming legally blind at fifteen, her world has been a blurry mess of colors. Her greatest fear is also her ultimate reality. One day that fuzzy realm will forever turn black. Refusing to let blindness define her, she builds a life for herself with her dog, Jack Sparrow, and best friend, Sunny Daye, by her side.

Lauren has no tolerance for pity or for Superman swooshing down and rescuing her. She is capable of saving herself just fine. That is until Gabe, the great smelling, former Marine, from Texas moves in next door. Her attraction to him is immediate and, unfortunately for her, mutual.

When Lauren’s ex-husband shows up begging for another chance, she is confused and fragile. She also finds herself in the arms of her secretive neighbor. Little does she realize that her decision for a steamy roll in the hay with Gabe will suck her into his mysterious past, thrust her ex-husband back into her life, put her in the middle of a murder investigation, and place her life in danger. 

Gabriel Briggs has the weight of the world on his shoulders. Short term flings are all he can afford for more reasons than one – reasons he never plans to share. Until he moves in next door to the beautiful, green eyed, feisty, Lauren. One night with her and he’s reconsidering promises he made almost a decade ago. When a woman from his past is murdered, his world is turned upside down. Secrets are revealed and innocent lives are threatened.

Can Gabe win Lauren’s love and save her life before it’s too late? Blind Love is a 70 thousand word romance in which both Lauren and Gabe must challenge the fears that blind them in order to have a chance at love.

*If you were an animated character, who would you be and why?

My husband says I’d be Marge from the Simpsons. But I think I’m more Mulan. So how about a combination of the two? A woman who doesn’t wait for a man to save her but can keep a positive outlook no matter how crazy the people in her life are. J

*Where would you go in a time machine?

Definitely nowhere related to my life. There are so many mistakes I’ve made in my past. But each of them helped me become the person I am. The fact that I can look back and think, “God I was so dumb,” and laugh at myself is the most priceless thing. Something I would have never learned if I hadn’t messed up as much as I have. As far as in the future, I don’t want to know, I’ll experience it when I get there and laugh about it when I’m ninety, sitting in a nursing home with a bunch of other old farts.

Now if I could go back in time, I’d love to be a fly on the wall when Cleopatra rolled out of that carpet.

* If you had to choose to live at the beach, in the mountains, or in the city, where would you want to build your dream home and what do you love about that area?

I’d choose to build my dream home at the beach. There’s something soothing about hearing the waves crashing against the shore and sitting outside watching the sunrise or set in the water.

Kishan can be found at:

http://www.kishanpaul.net

Love Least Expected – pre-order tour

Today I am delighted to feature this special anthology:

~~Love Least Expected, coming February 3, 2015~~

Pre-Order today for only 99¢

All Romance http://bit.ly/1FgEElI

Amazon http://amzn.com/B00PMOM9NA

B&N http://bit.ly/1FgEYke

iBooks http://bit.ly/1FgF7Eg

Google Play http://bit.ly/1FgF8YX

Kobo http://bit.ly/1FgFb7e

While you’re waiting, there’s a Rafflecopter prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card – but, to be honest, the book is far more exciting!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bb55253840/ 

THE STORIES

Under the Mango Tree
Meredith Bond

Lakshmi is a good 18th century Indian girl who should not be avoiding her chores and enjoying a mango while hidden amongst the high branches of the mango tree in her mother’s garden. She truly should not be seen by a man who is not a member of her family—an Englishman, no less. And she absolutely should not even contemplate speaking with this man. But Lakshmi has never been one to follow the rules. This time, though, it could ruin—or make—the rest of her life.

~~~~~

Rolf’s Quest

Aubrey Wynne

Baron Rolf Arbrec, the royal wizard for King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, is burdened with a centuries-old quest to break the spell cast on his descendant, Merlin. To lift the enchantment, he must find true love without the use of magic or deceit, something that has eluded the men generations before him.

Finding genuine love is no easy task, even for a wizard, and time is running out not only to complete his Quest, but to give future generations a chance at happiness. When Melissa steps from his dreams and into his arms, he realizes his need for her love runs deeper than just a way to free Merlin.

Lady Melissa Garrick travels to London to meet her betrothed. Along the way, she encounters a man who haunts her dreams and makes her reconsider her destiny. Torn between loyalty to her family and her intense attraction to Rolf, she struggles to remain an obedient daughter. Though she desires him, will she defy her family and turn her back on her betrothed? Or will time run out and Rolf be doomed to a life of discontent and bitterness like his ancestors before him?

~~~~~

Fall Into Darkness
Valerie Twombly

Eli lives by his own rules and bows to no one, even when summoned before the Tribunal Seven. They deem the hunter has lost his humanity and sentence the angel to earth with one mission: find some compassion or be condemned to hell.

Ashley considers herself a freak. With one glance into a person’s eyes, she foresees their death. When an attack brings a handsome stranger to her rescue, she can’t help but be drawn to his steel-blue gaze.

Fate will bring them together but desire could bond them for eternity.

~~~~~

Roses are Wrong, Violets Taboo

Kris Calvert

On the night before Valentine’s Day, floral and greenhouse owner, Alexander Chase Tabeau should be preparing for the biggest day of his family’s business. Instead he’s drowning his sorrows at the Voodoo bar after burying the only real parent he’s ever known – his grandfather, Pops. The rugged and handsome man promised Pops he would get his life together, leaving behind a string of undesirable women and focusing on what was most important – family.

Rose Westwood has always known what she wanted and planned her life down to the tiniest detail. She’s packed up her belongings and is ready to take a new and challenging position with her company as their first female vice president. Not wanting to be alone on her last night in Tampa, she stumbles into what she never planned on – the best night of her life.

With nothing to lose and everything to gain, Rose and Chase spend one night confessing their hopes for the future and their failures of the past. After opening their hearts to one another, the morning after sheds new light on their destiny. Can one night together change them both forever?

~~~~~

Alphabetical Disorder

Katie Stephens

Everyone in Mason’s Circus understands and respects the powers of the resident gypsies—the Romani tribe—and most steer clear of any involvement. But when Susie gets caught in a web of prophecy and magic that brings danger to the troupe, her non-Rom interpretation turns out to be flawed. She pushes aside the man of her dreams to date alphabetically, in the hopes of saving her circus family.

Sam has had his eye on Susie since she joined the company. He’s puzzled by her actions, but not blind to the way she responds to him. A patient man by nature, he battles his need to claim her immediately or allow her game to continue. When disaster strikes, they join forces with their Romani friends to stop the curse before it destroys the circus.

~~~~~

Love’s Not Viral

Nessie Strange

Twenty-four-year-old bartender Aster Sanderson’s life is turned upside down when drunken Hollywood actor Bradley Stone snaps a picture of her…and tweets to his 12.8 million followers that she’s his fiancee. As the internet blows up with the news and gossip flies out of control, she’s left feeling helpless. This has to be a misunderstanding, right? But when the actor in question shows up on her doorstep, it’s clear he’s unhinged and she soon becomes a prisoner in her own home (literally).

Her saviour? Bradley’s handsome—and seemingly normal—older brother, James, who quickly stirs up feelings she never expected. Can they disarm the ticking time-bomb that Bradley Stone has become before any more damage is done? And is their mutual attraction the result of these unusual circumstances…or could it become something more?

~~~~~

Taking the Plunge

Kishan Paul

Since graduating high school, Eve Cambridge has dropped ten dress sizes, became an RN, and dumped her jerk of a boyfriend – all on her own. So when her high school crush shows up in her life, she does what any normal self-reliant woman would do — pepper spray him.

Since inheriting the family plumbing business, Peter Russo has tried to make the best of a career he never planned for. He’s made his share of mistakes, but he’s worked hard to learn from them. Now that he’s run into Eve, he’s not so sure he isn’t making another one. After all, she did almost blind him.

When logic and emotion don’t agree, which path should they follow?

~~~~~

The Trouble With Never

Isabella Harper

Summer McKenzie is starting fresh. With her soon to be ex-husband in another state, she’s ready to start over in her small Texas town. That is, until she runs into the one person that has never gone too far from her memories, or her heart.

Since graduating college, Caleb Davis has planted roots in the form of a thriving BBQ business. He’s got everything he’s ever wanted, except the one woman that he could never have. It’s clear she’s had a painful past, but he wants nothing more than to create a promising future.

Will she let love heal old wounds, or will she let her fears push him away?

~~~~~

Keep Calm and Eat Chocolate

Michaela Miles

Eleanor Carrara is angry. At the world, at the people who had her committed to the institution, and at the people holding her captive in it. When the sexy, but calm and stoic Chris becomes a fellow resident of the facility, things begin to change. He taunts her, challenges her, and even makes her cry. But her anger dissolves as she realises he’s the one person who may be able to break through the armour built around her heart.

Christopher Tailor feels nothing. Haunted by the memories of his awful past, he is institutionalised, and utterly alone in the world. Meeting Elle changes everything. She’s conceited, rude, and completely unaware that in some ways she’s just as broken as he is. But something about her gets under his skin. He takes a chance and shares his secret with her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Authors

Meredith Bond

Meredith Bond is an award-winning author of a series of traditionally published Regency romances and indie-published historical paranormal romances. Known for her characters “who slip readily into one’s heart”, Meredith’s romance novels include her new Medieval Fantasy series, the Children of Avalon, her Regency-set paranormal romances in the Storm series and traditional Regencies (without magic) in The Merry Men Quartet originally published with Kensington Publishers, of which three have been re-released and the last one will be coming out early in 2015. Meredith also teaches writing and publishing at her local community college. If you want a taste of her class in book form, Chapter One is available at your favorite e-retailer.

Website: http://www.meredithbond.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meredithbondauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/merrybond

Google +: https://plus.google.com/+MeredithBond/posts

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/merrybond/

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/meredith-bond/69/a64/647/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/847484.Meredith_Bond

Aubrey Wynne

Aubrey Wynne’s first love is historical romance. Her current story, Rolf’s Quest, is set in the chivalrous 12th century court of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitane. Though she is an avid reader of historical fiction, her own works usually involve some level of fantasy.

Aubrey resides in the Midwest with her husband, dogs, horses, mule and barn cats. She is an elementary teacher by trade, champion of children and animals by conscience, and author by night. Obsessions include history, travel, trail riding and all things Christmas. She is a proud member of the Coffee Talk Writers. Her debut story, Merry Christmas, Henry, was published in November 2013 by Melange Books, LLC and received Best Short Romance in the Editors and Predators Reader’s Choice of 2013. Her humorous shorts, Pete’s Mighty Purty Privies (Goodreads Top 100 Laugh Out Loud List) and To Cast A Cliché are published with AlfieFiction.com

Hook up with Aubrey

Website: http://aubreywynneauthor.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubrey.wynne.7

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aubreywynne51

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17695894-aubrey-wynne

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+AubreyWynne

Email: aubreywynneauthor@gmail.com

Valerie Twombly

As a child, Valerie would often get into trouble for peeking at her mother’s favorite TV show, Dark Shadows. She can still hear her mother saying “It will give you nightmares.” She was right of course, but that did not stop Valerie from watching. As an adult, her love of the fanged creatures never waned. She would watch any vampire movie she could find.

Being a true romantic, Valerie was thrilled when she discovered the genre of paranormal romance. Her first read was one of Lara Adrian’s, Midnight Breed Series and from there she was hooked.

Today, Valerie has decided to take her darker, sensual side and put it to paper. When she is not busy creating a world full of steamy, hot men and strong, seductive women, she juggles her time between a full-time job, hubby and her two German shepherd dogs, in Northern IL.

Valerie is a member of Romance Writers of America and Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Romance Writers.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FangedFantasy

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fangedfantasy

Website: http://www.valerietwombly.com/

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vtwombly/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/vtwombly

Google +: https://plus.google.com/103302643701358257457/posts

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Valerie-Twombly/e/B00BOXA8ZE/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1388158167&sr=8-1

Kris Calvert

Kris Calvert is a former copywriter and PR mercenary who after some coaxing, began writing romance novels. She loves alliteration, pearls and post-it notes. She’s married to the man of her dreams and lives in Lexington, Kentucky. She’s Momma to two kids, now in college – one at the University of Kentucky, and one at New York University -Tisch. She is also responsible for one very needy dog. When she’s not writing, she’s baking cupcakes.

Website: www.kriscalvert.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kriscalvert30

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kriscalvert

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kpottorf/

Newsletter: http://www.kriscalvert.com/#!blank/cu4c

Katie Stephens

If you discovered a sealed box with “Katie’s memories” scribbled on the side, you’d find a lifetime of partially completed stories, plays and musicals. A retired music teacher and curriculum writer, Katie Stephens has opened that box and switched her need to create from music to literature. She writes both non-fiction and fiction, where she happily experiments with all genres.

When her muse takes a break, Katie is a staff reader for freeze frame fiction and a grant writer for the Empire & Great Jones Creative Arts Foundation. Although her grown children are scattered east and west across the country, she lives solidly in mid-America with three kitties and a husband who keeps asking when she’s really going to retire.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Stephens-Author/1633141843579542

Twitter @standardishue

Website http://standardishue.com/

Email standardishue@gmail.com

Nessie Strange

Nessie is a Massachusetts native and mother of two who has dabbled in everything from abstract painting to freelance sports reporting. She also loves a good story, whether it’s reading or writing one. Living Dead Girl and Reaper Madness, the first two novels in her urban fantasy Living Dead World series, were published by Etopia press in 2014.

Website: http://nessieslivingdeadworld.blogspot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NessieStrange

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/nessiestrange/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNessieStrange

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7463821.Nessie_Strange

Kishan Paul

From daring escapes by tough women to chivalrous men swooping in to save the day, the creativity switch to Kishan Paul’s brain is always in the ‘on’ position. If daydreaming stories were a college course, Kish would graduate with honors.

Mother of two beautiful children, she has been married to her best friend for over 16 years. With the help of supportive family and friends, she balances her family, a thriving counseling practice, and writing without sinking into insanity.

Website: http://www.kishanpaul.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KishanPaulAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@kishan_paul

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kishanpaul

Coffee Talk: http://www.coffeetalkwriters.com/coffee-talk-authors/kishan-paul/

Sign up for her newsletter at: http://mad.ly/signups/119110/join

Isabella Harper

Isabella Harper has been putting her imagination to good use since she was a child. Throughout school, she would get caught reading or creating a story of her own instead of doing whatever it was that she was supposed to.

For now, she is fulfilling her life with her husband and being a stay at home to her two young children, at home in Texas. When she’s not working on obtaining fitness certifications, writing a new contemporary Southern romance, or spending time with family, she’s probably enjoying a weekend in the countryside.

Connect

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/7M0dX

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsabellaHarperAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BellaHarper13

Email: isabellaharper.author@gmail.com

Website: http://www.isabellaharper.blogspot.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/18047881-isabella-harper

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/bellaharper13/

Michaela Miles

Michaela Miles writes. By day she is a mild-mannered copywriter and web designer, but by night she is consumed by the characters in her head and writes to set them free.

In her spare time, she is primary carer and chief wrangler for a husband and three children, the big boss at her web design company and photography studio, and is completing a Bachelor of English Literature.

Social Media:

Michaela is very active on social media and has an eclectic posting style—humorous writing memes, hump day hunks, quotes, inspirations, interviews, book reviews, and anything that takes her fancy!

Follow her everywhere to keep up to date on publications, interviews, book reviews, social media tips, and more. So come and join the fun and enjoy the ride!

Website: http://www.michaelamiles.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/michaela.miles.author

Twitter: http://twitter.com/_MichaelaMiles

Google+: http://plus.google.com/+MichaelamilesAuthorMM/posts

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/michaela_miles

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/michaelamilesau

Linkedin: http://au.linkedin.com/in/michaelamilesauthor

Stumbleupon: http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/MichaelaMiles

Klout: http://klout.com/_MichaelaMiles

My Beautiful New Website

Please come and have a look:

http://silvana.belindamellor.com/

And from there you can link to Silvana’s own Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/silvanathebooks

And my Silvana themed Pinterest Pages (there are several!)

http://www.pinterest.com/belindamellor9/silvana-the-greening/

Purr-fect Mating by Sheryl Winters. Blog Tour Stopping here!

Today I have a guest post, part of a blog tour for Purr-fect Mating – a paranormal romance novella by Sheryl Winters. Published by Roane Publishing.

This is her book blurb:

On their wedding night, at the stroke of midnight, Wulfar changes into his shifted wolf form and cannot shift back. Not even to communicate with the woman he loves.
 
Fhina, upon waking the day after their mating, no longer recognizes her mate. Pregnant and confused, she’s convinced herself her mate has run away and left her to live alone. With his dog.
 
Can the cursed pair find a counter charm before Fhina gives birth? Will Wulfar be able to curb his inclination to run?
 
Or will their mutual curses break up their love affair before it’s really even started.

And this is what she says about herself:

I never set out to be an author. Only a storyteller. Some days I succeed better than others.

I asked Sheryl a few questions about Purr-fect Mating and, because she’s done a few author interviews recently, I tried to come up with some less usual questions (I’m sure whe wondered what I was on about!)

What line from Purr-fect Mating would you like to see being quoted across the internet, either as an inspirational or humorous saying?

‘Murky grey wisps swirl inside the sphere before coalescing into a single vision—a solid black shower curtain, complete with rings.’

From your book – who is the character you can most easily identify with?
Fhina because of her courage and her sense of humour and who wouldn’t want to change into a tiger?

and the character you would like to meet?
I’d love to meet Bella’s twins.

Why?
Because they are adorable. Funny and cute and so excited that they can now go, ‘all furry.’ Who wouldn’t want to meet that?

Who was your first favourite author or book?

My favourite book is by Elizabeth Moon, Remnant Population. About an elderly woman who stays behind after a settlement is disbanded. She meets a group of Aliens and realizes the planet she’s been living on most of her life is inhabited. She inadvertently becomes the most revered person of their race and brings peace between the Aliens and the Humans that have come to take her away.

How old were you?

I don’t recall how old I was when I first started reading this book. I read it again last week and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Who is your current favourite author?

Shelly Laurenston. Her shifter series is funny. I especially recommend Beast Behaving Badly.

Has any book or any individual character in a book influenced your own work?

One book in particular influenced how I write. Darkness and Light by J. A. Belfield. She has a scene where the heroine bolts through the living room in her wolf feet. I saw the wolf moving, I felt her panic.

We have all heard the saying ‘write what you know’ – how is that evident in Purr-fect Mating?

I own 2 dogs and 3 cats. They each show me different things, love and family is paramount. Purr-fect Mating is all about the family.

If an artist in another medium was inspired by your work, how would you most like to see that expressed (e.g. poem, painting, music, dance, fan fiction…)

An amusing song would just tickle me pink but I wouldn’t be adverse to seeing a painting or a sketch done!

From writing your book, what have you learnt?

I’ve learned that I am capable of producing a story that is funny and heart warming. I was able to come away with the best feeling. The joy of knowing I’ve made someone happy even if it was just for a short few hours of time.

If you were starting again, is there anything you would do differently?

I really enjoy the story the way it is now, however if I was starting over again, I would really consider making Fhina a Penguin Shifter. She could move to Alaska and meet Wulfar there. I could have a lot of fun with that plot!

Of course, now I want to read about Penguin Shifters! Thank you for answering all my strange questions, Sheryl.

***

The publisher sent me all sorts of code for links, but I’m afraid they were beyond me.

But I can share these with you:

Link for Purr-fect Mating on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22361593-purr-fect-mating

Rafflecopter Giveaway HTML Code:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fe3b509/

And – most importantly – you can purchase Purr-fect Mating here:

http://www.roanepublishing.com/purr-fect-mating.html

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/459564

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/purr-fect-mating-sheryl-winters/1119975442?ean=2940149740192

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LYGR9OY

http://www.bookstrand.com/purr-fect-mating

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00LYGR9OY?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

Tag – You’re It! Blog Hop

 

 

Blog Hop 28th April 2014

 

Oh, I’ve been tagged! I’ve never done a blog hop before.

I was invited to participate in this particular ‘hop’ by the wonderful Louise Redmann. Louise, who is English but lives in Switzerland, is currently finishing her Medieval romance ‘The Traitor’s Legacy’, which I’ve had the immense pleasure of reading.  https://louiseredmann.com/?p=332

Louise’s blog is particularly entertaining as she regularly posts vignettes and short stories: https://louiseredmann.com/?cat=4

 

So, to business. There are set questions we’ve all been asked to address. Here goes:

What am I working on?

I’m currently editing part 2 of Silvana – The Turning (named for the second great festival of the year, when the trees begin to change colour). I’m also writing part 3, which is a great surprise to me as there was never supposed to be a part 3! It’s tentatively entitled ‘Restoration’ and, like the other two parts, deals with a new generation of the heirs of the holding of Windwood and their relationship with the tree spirits of their land – the Silvanii.

Besides that, thanks (oddly) to Pinterest, I’ve begun to think about some other projects that have been on the back burner for a while. I’ve started to put some picture boards together for all my stories and that has inspired me to think about picking them up again at some time, especially my almost-finished young adult novel set in Ireland about faery changelings which had got a bit muddled in the middle, making the phrase ‘I’ve lost the plot’ rather too literal for me! Thanks in part to my Pinterest board and equally to new ideas and techniques I’ve picked up since joining the writers’ site Scribophile, I feel ready to pick that project up again soon. It’s quite exciting. 

AND (drum roll, please), I’m getting ready for the launch of my website.

 

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Ooh, the tough question. Well, we all like to think we have something new to bring to the table. In the case of the Silvana stories, I can only say what the elements are and invite anyone else to say if the combination is unique. Firstly, of course, they are fantasy. But they have a subtle environmental message. There are no epic battles or ‘big baddies’ trying to take over the world, rather they are a reflection on both the wonder of nature and the wonder of being human, and an exploration of personal freedom versus duty, of balancing wants and needs, of growing up, self-realisation, nurturing and all those other things that each one of us does – for better or worse. Books 1 and 2 together I used to describe as a ‘fantasy biography’, which I suspect is unusual. But now, with the advent of Book 3, I shall have to revise that (how does fantasy family saga sound?) As for my writing, that has been described as ‘poetic’ and even accused of being ‘literary’, so there’s that. Finally, to an extent, they are romances.

 

Why do I write what I write?

Firstly, the settings are all dear to my heart. In the case of Silvana, I love Classical Greek mythology and history, so the feel of those stories fits in with that.

My YA, The Daughters of Chalice Moon, is loosely based on Irish folklore, another subject that fascinates me.

And most of my stories feature caring for the environment, or awareness of nature. And trees. Lots of trees!

As for why I write mostly fantasy – for me, fantasy is a vehicle for the big truths. At it’s best it walks hand in hand with mythology. I enjoy exploring themes, human experience, motivation, the heart of spirituality. Taken out of the mundane world, I find it easier to do that. It seems to work. One of the most common responses I’ve heard from people who’ve read Book 1 is, ‘I don’t normally like fantasy, but I loved this.’ 

Which brings me to another reason: I’ve had such lovely feedback from Silvana – the Greening that now I don’t just write for me, I write for my readers. 

 

 

How does my writing process work?

I ‘daydream’ my stories first, often for weeks before I write anything down. My characters are all very real before I put pen to paper and yes, I still do that. Black biro and wide-lined A4 paper, preferably. Often inspiration comes in the bath, or in those moments between wakefulness and sleep. Sometimes driving alone in the car (it helps to live in the middle of nowhere surrounded by incredibly beautiful scenery).

Once I have written a first draft, I begin to weave more detailed ideas through the story, sometimes new characters, sometimes more motivation. Detailed descriptions often come last, but I might have some nice parts already written as there are times I just want to write poetically. I have oddments of paper all over the house with ideas that occured to me at ransom times: Lesandor needs to demonstrate his grace and his woodsmanship when his lantern fails in the wildwood. He’s the son of a Silvana, he wouldn’t stumble so much… Perhaps the Ruling Prince could be gifted a horse from the Sunlands that no one knows what to do with. The boys could dare each other to sit on it… Show Casandrina’s physical strength, don’t just allude to it. She could rip a small tree up by its roots… 

Once I’m fairly happy, I post my work on Scribophile and let anyone who wants to have a crack at it. All critiques are helpful, but there are a few people there whose advice is particularly valuable and who really ‘get’ my work. If I ever become rich and famous I shall employ them as my editorial team! 

 

Now it’s my turn to pass the baton (no, wait, that’s another sport, isn’t it?) 

Anyway: ‘Tag, you’re it!’

 

Melissa LeGette, who has recently published her third YA novel, the Orphan and the Thief which is getting some excellent reviews, as it should.

“A flawless adventure that gallops along with surprising twists and turns … The Orphan And The Thief is by any standard, an exceptional children’s book that demands your attention … Unreservedly recommended!” -Book Viral

Melissa’s previous two novels: The Unicorn Girl and The Tale of Mally Biddle are lovely reads and I can personally recommend them. http://mllegette.com/  

Melissa’s books can be found on Amazon, the latest here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Orphan-Thief-M-L-LeGette-ebook/dp/B00HNVPSY2

 

Kirsty Anderson, who is a beautiful writer and blogs with such an awesome eye to the small details of life, through both words and pictures. Kirsty’s YA fantasy series about five sisters, a magical emporium and a mother with a BIG secret is shaping up to be very exciting. (Kirsty might be a little preoccupied, due to the imminent arrival of ‘Littlest’ – her #3 baby who is due to make an appearance any day now.)

Kirsty can be found at: http://www.mischief-magic-and-mayhem.com/

 

And also Ashley Capes, who has been tagged before but has some exciting updates to share regarding his excellent and intriguing epic fantasy novel City of Masks. 

Find Ash here: http://ashleycapes.com/

 

An Affair To Remember Blog Hop and Giveaway

Very talented writer and fellow Scribophile Aubrey Wynne recently interviewed me for her blog. She has a copy of her own lovely story ‘Merry Christmas, Henry’ to give away in a draw (or a copy of Silvana – but I’m hoping all my blog followers have already bought theirs….)

Aubrey Wynne

There are so many great books out there that love that struggled to be. Remember the old movie, An Affair to Remember? Romance was calling their name but an accident and pride kept it from being fulfilled. Do you know of a book like that? Share that book with us and join us in a blog hop to help feature and promote books that determined love.

Click any of the pictures of Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr below to view the trailer from An Affair To Remember. 

 In honor of Valentine’s Day, I am giving away two Valentine’s Day prizes. Winners will pick one of the two books below:

My short ebook romance Merry Christmas, Henry plus a $5 Amazon gift card:

Winner of the P&E Reader’s Poll:

  Best Short Romance of 2013

Henry, a shy and talented artist, moonlights as a security guard at a museum and…

View original post 281 more words

A beautiful poem, sent to me, inspired by Silvana

Dreaming

(For Belinda, after reading Silvana: The Greening)

 

Some anthem

deep within the mystic groves of sleep,

echoes through the slumbering wildwood

and trembling among the fallen leaves,

ceases.

 

Some song,

risen from the valleys of the heart,

soothes itself against a memory,

then plucking at the chords of thought,

quietens.

 

Some music,

carried on the sleeping wings of night,

deep inside the silence of the soul,

lingers until morning, then

vanishes.

 

Then dreams,

tuned from the broken lyre of hope,

creep through the being, clutching at the mind,

and toll the ancient silver bell of love,

till all the sleepers wake,

and find their peace.

 

 

I am both thrilled and humbled by this. Thank you x

Promo for Silvana – just in time for Christmas

This has been put together and sent out from the publishers:

 

 

Every now and then a special book comes along….

 

SILVANA – The Greening

  

  

by Belinda Mellor

       

Once heard, the song of a Silvana can never be forgotten.

Yet for every man who wins such a wife there are three destroyed in the attempt.

 

Sixteen-year-old Fabiom dreams of winning the love of a Silvana, one of the mysterious and powerful tree spirits who haunt the deepest groves of the wildwood. But when he is suddenly thrown into the political arena and expected to keep the family silk business running, everything changes. Fabiom fears he will have to put aside his dream, for such a quest is perilous and Deepvale cannot afford to lose its young lord.

However, the piece of amber he finds beneath the huge ash tree could change his mind. If one of the Silvanii is upset enough to weep golden tears at the thought of losing him, then presenting himself on the eve of his seventeenth birth-anniversary might not be so dangerous after all.

What Fabiom does not know, is that the fiercely guarded secrets of silk-making have been sold abroad, putting more than the economic stability of his holding at risk; it was the Silvanii who first gifted Morene’s people with those secrets, and they do not take kindly to betrayal.

 

REVIEW A beautifully-written and engrossing treat(T Bass 18/12/13)

 

REVIEW  An absolute gem. (A Power 17/12/13)

REVIEW  A beautiful read from a great story teller. (J E Lane 02/12/13)

 

AUTHOR BIO 

Belinda Mellor lives with her husband and daughter and far too many animals on a lifestyle block near Nelson; a place the family came to on holiday some years back and forgot to leave. A background in theology and applied spirituality make her eminently suited to a life of goat milking and egg collecting.

At the age of five she won a school award for ‘free expression’ and has not stopped writing since. She was an inaugural winner of an Ian St James literary award for her fantasy story Bronwen’s Dowry (published in the Collins anthology At the Stroke of Twelve). Since then she has been awarded a literary bursary and an award for a character-driven story, had numerous non-fiction and occasional fiction pieces published in magazines and local newspapers and a play for children performed by a theatre-in-education company.

Her current projects include readying the second Silvana book – the Turning – for publication; writing the third – Restoration; resurrecting a series of children’s stories about a fire-loving salamander family, originally written for an animation company that folded before the project could be realised; and completing a collaborative art book based on the story of creation and why the creator put THAT tree in such an accessible position.

 

           What readers have said about Silvana – The Greening

• “Wonderful imagery more poetry than prose, it permeated the air around me with the sights and sounds of the woods”
• “Breathtakingly beautiful images”
• “This is a fascinating and rich story, one I am completely swept into. The writing brings it to life. It’s wonderful”
• “Your descriptions are stunning, and the story has stayed in my mind to haunt me”
• “This novel feels important. I have chills right now just saying that”
• “I wonder how anyone could read your books and not marvel at the talent and potential “
• “….it almost seems to be a part of me; at least, I wallow in it as I did in sunshine when I was a young girl”

Preview the book 

 

Pages: 330

ISBN: 9780473-64024

Published: 2013

224x159mm

RRP NZ$34.50

 

Published!

So, it’s been an exciting week. And the day is finally here: Book One is no longer simply a dream, but has become reality. 

And to prove it – here’s the link to the online shop where it can be ordered:

http://shop.copypress.co.nz/shopn/spi/copyp_12214

 In the next week or so it will become available more widely: watch this space.

 

I’ve had some very nice help with publicity too. 

Kathy Temean, who has a very good writing and illustrating site, has featured Silvana in her current posting. In fact, if you click on this link to Kathy’s blog, you will be in with a chance to win a copy.

http://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/kudos-7/ 

And tomorrow (Saturday) my fellow Scribophile and beta reader, CJ Jessop, is running an interview with me on her site Off With The Fairies.

http://cjjessop.weebly.com/blog.html

 

Finalised cover

A tiny bit of tweaking, a few additions, and we’re good to go.