Welcome Jody A. Kessler to Writer Wednesday

Welcome Jody A. Kessler to Writer Wednesday

I am pleased to introduce debut author Jody A. Kessler to you today. Welcome, Jody! Let’s get right to the interview, shall we?

CA: What made you decide to write a novel?

JAK: I’m not sure I did decide. One day I was taking care of my toddler and the next I was writing a story during his nap. Every day since, I have been totally engrossed in all aspects of writing novels.  I loved to write when I was a kid and through high school, but then my life took a completely different direction. Returning to writing has been the most amazing challenge but I’ve loved every second of it — except maybe those #&*%#! query letters and the dreaded two page synopsis.

CA: Why paranormal?

JAK: Paranormal is more normal for me than it isn’t.  I’ve been interested in the metaphysical, spiritual, and paranormal my entire life. I even tried to learn how to read tarot cards when I was around ten years old — by the way — I’m not very good at it. I loved playing with the pendulum and going to the metaphysical store when I was a kid and it never really stop appealing to me. So when it came to writing, I basically write what I know, but also what I like.

CA: How many books/short stories do you have planned for this series?

JAK: I’m pretty sure there are four books in the series, An Angel Falls. Death Lies Between Us is the first and Angel Dreams is the second. Number three is in the works.

CA: Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?

JAK: I’d like to see more of the world first, and then I’ll have to get back to you. But I would like to add that Europe is at the top of the list. I love the history and the architecture.

CA: Name 3 simple joys in your life

JAK: Spending time with my family.  Relaxing outdoors — especially near water.  & See’s chocolate. I always feel better after a piece of See’s. It’s the best. If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend it.

CA: Ooh, I love Sees, too! If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead or fictional, who would it be and where would you go to eat?

JAK:  There are so many fascinating people in history, but for today, I will say Leonardo da Vinci. And I would love to eat a meal with him in his home territory of Florence or Milan. If he was unavailable, I wouldn’t hesitate to sit down with, Aristotle, Yogananda, Saint Francis, Mozart, or Benjamin Franklin.

CA: If you could give just one piece of advice to a writer starting out, what would it be?

JAK: Enjoy it. Life is too short to waste time doing anything you don’t love.

CA: Excellent advice! What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a Day Job?

JAK: My main job right now is to raise my son. But I also teach yoga and have done so for about ten years.

CA: Wow, I’d love to teach yoga! Name one thing your fans would be surprised to learn about you.

JAK: I’m missing my thumbs.  Nah, I’m just kidding.  Actually my thumbs were my most important tool when I was a deep tissue massage therapist. I had my own practice for years and even though I am only 5 foot 2, I could put a good hurt on just about anyone.

CA: So you’re a massage therapist AND a yoga teacher? Plus a Reiki Master? WOW! Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?

JAK: Thanks for having me, Christine. This has been fun.

CA: Thank YOU, Jody! And now, here’s a bit about her debut book, a YA paranormal romance that is garnering rave reviews on Amazon. Check it out…

Cover of Death Lies Between Us

Saving the life of someone you love should not be the worst thing you have ever done, unless you are an Angel of Death.

Disgruntled with his position in the afterlife and conflicted by his feelings toward his new client, Nathaniel Evans forgoes the rules and saves nineteen year old Juliana Crowson from being hopelessly stuck in Forge Creek. This alters Juliana’s destiny and she finds herself in a series of near death accidents.

In the mountains of Colorado, Nathaniel comforts Juliana as she struggles to understand her paranormal abilities while coping with her brother’s drug addiction. When an ill-tempered Native American Shaman teaches her the difference between ghosts and place memories, she decides she wants nothing to do with the supernatural world. Too bad she doesn’t know that Nathaniel is part of it.

Will fate bring these two together, or has Nathaniel made the biggest mistake of his afterlife?

Bio

Jody A. Kessler enjoys writing paranormal novels and is a member of Pikes Peak Writers.  She is a yoga instructor, Reiki Master, and a graduate from the Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy. When she took an extended leave from her massage practice to stay at home with her newborn she returned to her first true passion —writing. She spends most of her time being a mother, writing, and teaching yoga, but also likes going to concerts, hiking, practicing herbal medicine, and reading anything that catches her interest. Jody lives in the mountains of Colorado with her family.

Click on her website for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card  www.jodyakessler.com

Find her at the below places.

Amazon: DEATH LIES BETWEEN US
Goodreads
Twitter:  @JodyAKessler
Facebook

~ Until the next time, cheers – and remember to drink responsibly! ~

~oOo~

Demon Soul and Demon Hunt are all available for the Kindle and Kobo! Have you fallen into the Caine Brothers’ world yet?


Writer Wednesday ~ Toni de Palma

Writer Wednesday ~ Toni de Palma

Today I have the lovely and talented Toni de Palma on my blog, and we’re celebrating her upcoming release, The Devil’s Triangle, which goes live on February 15, 2013. So without further ado, let’s jump into the interview, shall we?

CA: What made you decide to write a novel?
TdP: Cooper, my main character, was too hard to ignore. He’s a teenage boy with a heart of gold, who isn’t bad on the eyes either. Cooper struggles with doing the right thing and his inner bad boy.

CA: Why paranormal?
TdP: Cooper not only has to deal with his inner Devil, but the real Lucifer too.

CA: How many books/short stories do you have planned for this series?
TdP: Three. I’m putting the finishing touches on the second book, The Devil’s Temptation, now.

CA: Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?
TdP: That’s tough. I love Paris, but I also love the Italian island of Ischia where my dad is from. A little bungalow in Key West isn’t a bad idea either.

CA: Name 3 simple joys in your life.
TdP: According to my husband, I am anything but simple, but I’ll try. I love my bike, my dog and family dinners.

CA: If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead or fictional, who would it be and where would you go to eat?
TdP: I feel like I did this this past summer when my husband, son and I had many wonderful dinners in Italy.

CA: If you could give just one piece of advice to a writer starting out, what would it be?
TdP: Find a wonderfully supportive writers group that will also keep you accountable. I would be nowhere without my group.

CA: What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a Day Job?
TdP: I teach creative writing at a local college and am planning a writers retreat in Ischia, Italy. You can find out more about the retreat at www.tonidepalma.com

CA: Ooh, a writer’s retreat in Italy! I’ll have to save for it, that sounds divine! And at least, when you’re teaching creative writing, you are also immersing yourself in writing. That’s soo cool!  Name one thing your fans would be surprised to learn about you.
TdP: Don’t tell anyone, but my grammar stinks. Thank goodness for editors!

CA: Oh, I know! I LOVE my editors. They are the BEST people in the world! Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?
TdP: Nope, I think that’s it. Thanks!

CA: Thank YOU, Toni, for coming to Writer Wednesday!

The Cover:

The Blurb:

When 17 year old Cooper dies in an attempt to burn down his school, he finds himself in the afterlife. Lucy, the Devil’s sister who has crossed party lines, decides to give Cooper another shot at heaven. The deal? Cooper returns to Earth and has to find a girl named Grace. The rest is up to him.

     While Cooper figures out his mission, he’s thrown into the life he’s always wanted. Great parents, a spot on the Varsity football team and a real future are all within reach. But what he really wants is Grace, a feisty girl with an abusive boyfriend who can pound Cooper into pulp if he doesn’t watch out.

     While Lucy plays demonic-puppeteer, clues to an unknown past between Cooper and Grace start to unravel. Cooper discovers that what’s keeping him and Grace apart is far more sinister than anything this bad boy could have ever imagined.

Where to Find Toni:

Goodreads book page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13610688-devil-s-triangle

Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/465309.Toni_De_Palma

Website: http://tonidepalma.com/

Blog: http://writersbytheshore.blogspot.com/

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/WriterToniDePalma?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ToniDePalma1

~oOo~

Thanks for stopping by – please give Toni some comment love!

Writer Wednesday – Wendy S. Russo & January Black

Writer Wednesday – Wendy S. Russo & January Black

Today I’m featuring Wendy S. Russo, and her new YA novel January Black, which I also had the pleasure of reviewing. Oh – and somewhere in this post, there’s a super secret hidden link to a super secret second blurb for the novel…look carefully! When you find it, the password is “matty”. All you have to do is click on the link, put in the password, read the excerpt, and then leave a comment and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a copy of JANUARY BLACK! Woot!

Let’s take a look at the cover:

Isn’t that cover stunning?

January Black Blurb
Sixteen-year-old genius Matty Ducayn has never fit in on The Hill, an ordered place seriously lacking a sense of humor. After his school’s headmaster expels him for a small act of mischief, Matty’s future looks grim until King Hadrian comes to his rescue with a challenge: answer a question for a master’s diploma.

More than a second chance, this means freedom. Masters can choose where they work, a rarity among Regents, and the question is simple.

What was January Black?

It’s a ship. Everyone knows that. Hadrian rejects that answer, though, and Matty becomes compelled by curiosity and pride to solve the puzzle. When his search for an answer turns up long-buried state secrets, Matty’s journey becomes a collision course with a deadly royal decree. He’s been set up to fail, which forces him to choose. Run for his life with the challenge lost…or call the king’s bluff.

My Review:
I lost a few hours as I read this book. It’s a Young Adult novel that is refreshingly and astonishingly intelligent, and the love story is perfectly played out.

Set in a world that is similar to our own but far removed, with a King who leads the people and set mostly in the royal city of Aventine, Matty is given a problem to solve. What was January Black? It takes him two years to solve this question; in that time, we as readers get to know this fascinating world, and delve along with Matty into astronomy, computer coding, chess, a rogue section of the city and even the words of Shakespeare. But as Matty draws closer to an answer, it is the politics of the question that will turn his world upside down.

From Matty’s lightheadedness when he walks into the King’s immense library of real books (ah! The scent of old books!) to the stargazing, to the cryptic messages passed between people who are known only by their number, to the sweet, tentative steps of first and lasting love between Matty and Iris, this is a book to be savored, read, and then read again.

Do you want an excerpt? Click RIGHT HERE for Excerpt Number One. Remember to look for the hidden link to Excerpt Number Two! Password is “matty”.

And of course, here’s a BUY LINK.

You can stalk find Wendy at these fine places:

Blog: http://wendysrusso.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendy-S-Russo/134565346603922
G+: https://plus.google.com/112814882028410401663
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/wendysrusso
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/wendysrusso

~ Until the next time, cheers – and remember to drink responsibly! ~

Demon Soul, Blood Dreams and Demon Hunt are all available for the Kindle! Have you fallen into the Caine Brothers’ world yet?

 

The Next Big Thing blog meme

The lovely and talented Nan Reinhardt tagged me for this blog meme. Everyone knows that The Next Big Thing is just on the horizon, so we writers are putting our work in progress out there for the world to peer at, and possibly champion. So sit back and enjoy reading about my next pet project that doesn’t yet have a home.

What is the working title of your next book?
The Perfect Partner OR Weightless

Where did the idea come from for the book?
I spent my teenage years in a ballet company, fell in love (more than once) and finally married one of the straight male dancers. Yes, they do exist! And we’re still married, lol!

What genre does your book fall under?
Contemporary Young Adult

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Wow – I don’t know the young actors of today. A young lady who can dance ballet, AND act. A 20ish Patrick Swazye, and a young Judd Nelson.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
A 16 y/o new (and youngest) member of the Seaside Ballet Company learns to juggle the very adult world of ballet while walking on the wild side when she’s not wearing pointe shoes.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’m hoping an agency will pick it up. But we shall see!

 How long does it take to write the first draft of your manuscript?
First drafts, when they come easy, are usually done in a couple of months. When it’s like pulling teeth, it can take longer.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Next question, lol!

Who or What inspired you to write this book?
I loved the ballet world when I was in it, and there weren’t any novels about that world. I decided to write a novel that showed the sexual awakening of a young girl in a world that’s all about the physical – without there being any actual sex involved. While ballet is exhausting, it’s also a very sexy sport.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
It has two heroes – one a man in his early 20s, and one a teenager; she’s attracted to both of them for very different reasons. One is bad for her, and the other one is almost too good to be true.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any of my ballet photos scanned into my computer yet, or I’d provide proof of my former life. As it is, for now, you’ll just have to take my word for it. So, there you have it! Let me know what you think about this project – thumbs up or thumbs down? Don’t worry, I can handle it!

Here comes the tagging part of the meme. Since I hopped in rather late, I’ve only got two folks to tag. Please check out these ladies, both now and next Wednesday when they’ll post THEIR “The Next Big Thing”!

UPDATE: The marvelous BETH BARANY has agreed to participate! Find her here:
http://author.bethbarany.com/

The FABULOUS Roz Lee!
http://authorrozlee.blogspot.com

and the sweet Sharon Goldstein!
http://sharonsings.wordpress.com

~ Until the next time, cheers – and remember to drink responsibly! ~

Demon Soul, Blood Dreams and Demon Hunt are all available for the Kindle! Have you fallen into the Caine Brothers’ world yet?