Thursday, October 31, 2013

And the winners are...

I hope all the authors and readers have enjoyed participating in this year's blogfest. I want to thank all the amazing authors that introduced us to their characters as well as thank all the awesome readers stopped by and entered the giveaways!

And now that today is the final day of Meet the Characters, it's my pleasure to announce the winner's of all of our contests!

First up...What character won the Hottest guy award? 

DRAGON!

And the winner of a copy of Dragon's book "Releasing the Dragon" by Stacie Simpson is...

Katy E.




Now, who won the title of Feistiest girl? 

Lynlee!

And the winner of a copy of Lynlee's book, "Trolling for Trouble: MAUC Series" by Olivia Hardin is...

Lisa G.




Up next is the Cutest Couple. And the winner's are...

Mason and Olivia!


And the winner of a copy of Mason and Olivia's novel, "Invisible" by DelSheree Gladden is...

Dominique S.




And now, the winners of the Steamiest Couple Contest are...

It's a tie! Prince Cole and Princess Sam tied with Santangelo and Nicola!

The winner of copies of both 

"Sugar Man's Daughter" by Lucy Crowe... 




and "Fate War: Alliance" by EM Havens is...

Sherry H.







Now before the main giveaway, we have a couple of runner up prizes to giveaway as well

Winner of an ebook copy of Susan Stec's "The Other F Word" is ... Sheri B.

Winner of a signed paperback copy of Susan Stec's "They're so Vein" is ...Lisa B.

Winner of a signed paperback copy of Susan Stec's "They're so Vein" is ...Shadow K.

Winner of an ebook of Raquel Lyon's "Kiss the Tiger" is ...Shelley S.

Winner of an ebook of Raquel Lyon's "Kiss the Tiger" is ...Tom R.


And Finally...

The Winner of the main Meet the Characters 40+ Book Giveaway is

LARA T!!!!


Thank you again to all the fabulous authors who helped make this event such a big success!!

Thank you as well to all the amazing readers to stopped by to comment and vote and support their favorite authors and characters!

We'll be back next year with more characters and more books to giveaway!

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Character Interview: Owain (In the Winds of Danger by Linda Ulleseit)

Today let's get to know the determined Owain from Linda Ulleseit's YA fantasy novel, "In the Winds of Danger." 


INTERVIEW WITH OWAIN
In the Winds of Danger

First of all, Owain, tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a groom in High Meadow, working with the marvelous winged horse Adain. His rider is Emma, who’s very good to me. I’m sixteen years old, and I have red hair. People say that means I have a temper, but Emma tells them to hush. I was born in Merioneth, near the sea, and came to the mountain town of Tremeirchson when I was eight. I moved to High Meadow when it was founded by Emma and Davyd four years ago.

Tell us about High Meadow.

It’s not a very old place, and most of the inhabitants are young. The majority of the older folks stayed in Tremeirchson when we fled due to bad water. It was critical to move to save the flying horses. High Meadow is deeper into the Welsh mountains than Tremeirchson, in the area called Gwynned. It is remote and hard to find. In the morning, the gray mist comes down from the mountain tops to blanket the town, but it usually burns off by afternoon. High Meadow is supported by patrons from Merioneth, who fund barns to compete in the annual Aerial Games. The Games provide a livelihood for the entire town.

Who’s in charge of High Meadow and how do you feel about them?

Davyd’s in charge of the town. He’s married to Emma. They’re terrific. First Barn is run by Tristan, and Second Barn by Evan. Evan is pretty intense. He has some crazy ideas. I’m glad he’s not my barn leader. Tristan, though, can be weak when it comes to making decisions. So far he hasn’t had any crisis to deal with. Maybe that’s what he needs to be stronger. It’s important for the two barns to work well independent of each other. That fosters a better spirit of healthy competition. If Evan influences Tristan too much, First Barn will lose its autonomy. That would be bad.

Can you tell us about one of Evan’s crazy ideas?

Sure. His latest notion is for a new event for the Aerial Games. Usually the horse perform intricate dances, and they race. Evan thinks an aerial joust will work. It won’t. It’s too dangerous and too hard to see from the ground. Tristan seems to be going along with the idea, though. I don’t know what they are thinking.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

When I became groom to Adain, I was the youngest person ever to hold the position. I’m quite proud of being able to do my duty well to Adain and Emma. You might say Adain and I grew up together under Emma’s watchful eye.

Besides Adain, who is the greatest love of your life?

Is this going to be kept private? You see, I haven’t said anything to her yet. She’s my best friend, but I can’t imagine spending any part of my life away from her. Ana is a groom, too. She’s groom to Clyth, Evan’s horse. We used to work together in First Barn, but when Evan became the leader of Second Barn. Ana left with him. She’s just up the lane now, and we have breakfast in town together every morning, but it’s still hard to be away from her.

What is your greatest fear?

I promised to answer whatever you asked, but this is pretty private. I have nightmares about it, actually, and I haven’t told anyone but Ana about it. Just before I left Merioneth, there was an incident. I don’t remember exactly what happened. My sister was there, then overwhelming grief. My mind blocks out the memories. I am afraid that someday I’ll remember that I was responsible for my sister’s death.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Davyd would say ‘sir’ is my most overused word. I respect him, you see. I call him ‘sir’ because of that. I know he wants me to call him Davyd, but it seems too familiar. He is well respected in town, and Emma, his wife, is well respected in the barns. I suppose I should call her ‘sir’ too. Or ‘ma’am,’ it would be ‘ma’am.’

Which young person do you admire most?

Davyd and Emma are both older than me. Nia is, too, but closer to my age. I’ll pick Nia. She’s a First Barn rider. Nia has a lot of skill and confidence. Some people say she has too much confidence, that it’s arrogant. I don’t think so. Nia is destined for great things. In fact, I’ve heard rumors that she is being considered as leader for Third Barn when it gets ready to open. That would be an amazing opportunity for her, to be the first female barn leader. I know she can do it, but I don’t know how our current barn leaders, Evan and Tristan, will react.

What is your motto?


If you are loyal to others, they will be loyal to you.



Follow me on TWITTER: Linda Ullesesit
Follow me on FACEBOOK: Flying Horse Books
Read my author blog: flyinghorsebooks@wordpress.com
Read my blog about teaching reading and writing: Ulleseit@wordpress.com

ON A WING AND A DARE
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IN THE WINDS OF DANGER
Purchase


WINGS OVER TREMEIRCHSON










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Character Interview: Nathan Shaw (Reflection by Kim Cresswell)

Let's get to know Nathan Shaw by Kim Cresswell's novel, "Reflection." 

About Reflection

Florida investigative reporter, Whitney Steel, has lived in the shadow of her legendary father long enough. To prove herself she needs to find the "Big" story.
She found it. Now it may kill her.
After receiving a lead pointing to the world's first cloned human, now a small child, Whitney vows to unravel the truth. However, sifting through the facts proves to have dangerous results, including death threats and murder.
When she's nearly killed, but is saved by undercover FBI Special Agent, Blake Neely, he refuses to let her get in the way of his own objective--at least not right away.
Caught in a lethal game between a billionaire obsessed with genetic perfection, his hit man's thirst for retribution, and a Colombian drug lord fresh out of prison determined to make Blake pay for his twin brother's death over a decade ago...
Can they save an innocent child before it's too late?
Faced with tough choices, with deadly consequences for many--Whitney soon realizes that sometimes a story becomes more than just a story.


About the Character

Billionaire biotech company owner, Nathan Shaw, will do anything, including murder-for-hire to keep his clone (a small child) concealed from outsiders. The child is more than an illegal experiment, shes a genetic copy of his deceased lover. 

Kim Talks with Nathan Shaw


What one word best describes you?
Nathan: “Distinct.“
What are you passionate about these days?
Nathan: “What I have been passionate about most of my life. Genetics and cloning. I do not understand why people recoil at the idea of human copies—healthy manufactured humans.“
You were one of the first companies to clone animals almost thirty years ago. Would you consider cloning humans?
Nathan: “Of course if it was legal in this country. Hopefully, it will be one day.“
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Nathan: “I was Las Vegas Man of the Year six years running and made the cover of Time magazine, twice.“
You just won a huge lottery what is the first thing you’d buy?
Nathan: (Glances at the wall clock) “Apparently, you haven’t done any background on me. If Miss Steel was conducting this interview, at least she would have done her homework first. I own ShawBioGen, a seventy-five billion dollar Biotech company. The last thing I need is money.”
Who should play you in a film?
Nathan: “John Malkovich. Brilliant actor. I heard he gave a stellar performance portraying serial killer, Jack Unterweger, on stage in Vienna.“
Who is your favorite author?
Nathan: “Elmore Leonard. I enjoy his realism writing style.“
Do you play any sports?
Nathan: “No, I run a couple miles daily to keep in shape.“
What would we find under your bed?
Nathan: (Glances at the clock again) “If you are going to continue with this silly line of questioning, we are done here.”
Ok, then…what is something you want people to know about you?
Nathan: That I have done a lot of good in my life. I’ve donated millions of dollars a year to food banks and homeless shelters around the country and will continue to do so. I’ve also put millions into healthcare and scientific research.“
Tell us about your greatest achievement.
Nathan: “There have been so many but I can’t discuss my greatest at this point. Instead I will say…developing medications that cure diseases and improve lives. In particular, genetic illnesses and recessive disorders that devastate families. Apparently, you didn’t read my company’s press kit. You really do remind me so much of the lovely, Miss Steel.”
What was the scariest moment of your life?
Nathan: “When my sister died of Menkes Syndrome, a dreadful disorder that affects copper levels in the body, leading to copper deficiency and extensive neuro-degeneration of the brain and eventual death. Like most children with Menkes, they die within the first decade of life, usually infancy, as Katherine did. She’s the reason I began my research work into genetic disorders.“
Is there a piece of advice that you have received that has really stuck with you? If so, what was it?
Nathan: “The first rule of business. Employees are replaceable.”
If you could apologize to someone in your past, what would you say?
Nathan: I don’t apologize. I have nothing to apologize for. I do, however, have a message for FBI agent, Blake Neely, and the lovely, Miss Steel.”
And what’s that?
Nathan: “Don’t get too comfortable…you are replaceable.”
That sounds like a threat.
Nathan: (Smiles)

About the Author

Kim Cresswell resides in Ontario, Canada. Trained as a legal assistant, Kim has been a story-teller all her life but took many detours including; working for a private investigator, running a graphic design business, and teaching computer classes at a local business school. After becoming disabled with Fibromyalgia and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, Kim returned to her first love, writing.
Her debut romantic suspense, REFLECTION, has won numerous awards including; UP Authors Fiction Challenge Winner (2013), Silicon Valley's Romance Writers of America (RWA) "Gotcha!" Romantic Suspense Winner! (2004) and an Honourable Mention in CARWA's The Writer's Voice Contest (2006)
Lethal Journey  (September 30, 2013)
Real Life Evil – A True Crime Quickie – Book One (November 2013)
RETRIBUTION - sequel to REFLECTION (2014)
www.kimcresswell.ca
www.facebook.com/KimCresswellBooks
http://twitter.com/kimcresswell

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Available in paperback at Amazon & Createaspace

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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Character Artwork: My Sister's Reaper

Up today is some is some fabulous artwork for the characters of Dorothy Dreyer's new book, "My Sister's Reaper." 

Zadie Stonebrook is no ordinary girl. That said, she still has the emotions of a normal teenage human. The object of her affections? Gavin. He's the dreamy ex-track star who's suddenly gone pseudo-Goth and has a mysterious air to him. Her feelings for him are so out of her control that she accidentally lets it slip that she could bring her dead sister back to life. Whoops! Then there's Chase, the new guy in school whom Zadie just can't figure out. The way he acts, Zadie figures he either knows about her special abilities ... or he's just out to destroy her life. Still, he's kind of hot.

Check out this scene from "My Sister's Reaper" done in the Anime art style, showing Sadie, Gavin and Chase!






Author Bio
Dorothy Dreyer has always believed in magic. She loves reading, writing, movies, takeout, chocolate, and spending time with her family and friends. Half-American and half-Filipino, Dorothy lives in Germany with her husband and two teens.

Links





Author Website: http://dorothydreyer.com


Monday, October 28, 2013

Character Surprise Post: Lisa Cresswell

Today we're welcoming Corrine Lamb and Jamie Armstrong from Lisa Cresswell's novel, Hush Puppy. 


For today’s surprise post, I thought I would interview my characters so you could get to know them better in a personal way.  We have Corrine Lamb and Jamie Armstrong from the novel Hush Puppy by me, Lisa T. Cresswell.
First, thanks for talking to me, guys. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Could you tell me a little about how you first met?
Corrine: Jamie’s dad brought him over to the diner where I was working ‘cause he had to fix the sink and he wouldn’t buy Jamie lunch. I felt kinda sorry for him, so I snuck him some hush puppies.
Jamie: They were good too! (laughs)  That’s why I call her Hush Puppy.
What did you initially think of each other? Love at first sight? Not on your life? :)
Corrine: I think my exact thoughts were “Oh Lord, not another redneck!” But he grew on me.
Jamie: Hahaha! You’re so mean! I thought you were the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.
Corrine: Oh shush. ;)
Can you tell me a little bit about where you come from?
Corrine: You’ve heard the expression “Armpit of North America”? That would be it.
Jamie: Oh, Carolville ain’t that bad.  It’s just extremely small and backwards.  But you have to admit the lake is nice.
Jamie, if you had to describe Corinne in three words, what would they be?
Oh gosh, that’s hard. I guess I’d have to say: smart, sexy, and…smart.
Corinne, same question.
You’re just as smart as me. Three words? How about: romantic, talented, and smart?
What's the hardest thing you've ever had to face, either together or apart, and how did you get through it?
Corrine: I think my hardest time was when I thought Jamie didn’t love me anymore, or didn’t love me enough to stand up to his friends. That really hurt.
Jamie: See, Corrine thinks I’m smart, but I’m really kinda stupid in a lot of ways.
Corrine: You are not!
Jamie: Anyway, my hardest time was when Corrine shut me out. I deserved it, but it still killed me. I don’t know how I got through it. It wasn’t pretty.
If either of you could have any dream come true, no matter how fantastic, what would it be? Dream big!
Jamie: I know what Corrine would do! (laughs)
Corrine: I’d visit every single place on my map. I have this map of the world and there’s pins in every place I want to go. What’s your dream, Jamie?
Jamie: To go with you. J


Hush Puppy is the story of Corrine Lamb, a seventeen year old, black girl, and Jamie Armstrong, a poor white boy, living in a backwater North Carolina town.  Intelligent Corrine, abandoned by her mother, and artsy Jamie, forced to play football by a redneck father, both dream of leaving their podunk town and never looking back. 
Their shared love of literature and a dream of a better life brings them together and a romance blossoms between them in a secret place of their own in the steamy North Carolina woods.  When Jamie is involved in the accidental death of a white girl, he’s terrified of his abusive father.  Corrine takes the blame to protect Jaime, with dire consequences for herself and her dreams of the future.  Her life in danger, Corrine’s left wondering if Jamie ever cared about her at all.
Short Bio

Lisa T. Cresswell is a professional archaeologist who works in Idaho and dabbles frequently in young adult literature. Originally from North Carolina, her stories are often inspired by memories of growing up there. You can see more of her work at www.lisatcresswell.com


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Character Surprise Post: Shauna Roberts

Today I'm happy to introduce Celatu from Shauna Robert's novel, Ice Magic, Fire Magic








Featured character: CELATU

A letter from Celatu to his aunt, the Servant of Enchantment




Most honored Aunt Hyacinth,

May this letter find you in good health and spirits and in harmony with the Land of Veridia.

My deepest thanks for the ancient books from the Servant’s library that arrived today. They are exactly what I need for my research. I will protect them from sunlight and damp and return them soon. 

Father says to tell you that I am “lazy and a disgrace to the family” and that you shouldn’t encourage my studies “because they are a waste of time” and also because old books make him sneeze. He asks as well that I send his love to his “dearest sister, whose good judgment makes Veridia a land of peace and justice as never before achieved.”

 His flattery continues to improve with his age, don’t you think?

Please ignore the rest of Father’s message as well. As I promised, I am searching our library—and now will include the books you lent me—day and night for a treatment for Cousin Urushi’s condition. I have already found a few records of other men with disorders of magic.

Such disorders have become more common in the past 200 years; I have also noted a startling decrease over the past 900 years in the number of men and women with supernormal magical abilities. Once common, such magic is rare in our day—I dare say you may never have met a person with such abilities. I myself have not.

The medical records of these men do not suggest any treatments for Urushi. However, I am listing classifying the men into groups according to traits they have in common. Such analyses may suggest a reason for Urushi’s inability to control his magic. It is a first step, at least. I hope to report better results to you soon.

You kindly asked about my personal studies. I beg your leave to finish my research on Urushi’s condition first. Then I will write you in full of what I have been doing—or perhaps tell you in person, if your official duties allow you some free moments. Suffice it to say for now that I am studying the Time of Changes a millennium ago, when the Berserker and her brother tore Veridia apart with war and dethroned our Land’s last king.

Father may say my research “generates nothing but sneezes,” but you, I’m sure, perceive its value. Without such studies, we are doomed to slowly lose our collective memory of the use of magic—and possibly our physical skill as well.

Kassia informs me that her textbook of needlework patterns was copied out only 100 years ago, yet it contains a pattern with which no woman today can work magic. Either magic has faded from the pattern, or the Guardians of today have less natural talent for magic than our ancestors. Either way, this trend is of deepest concern to me, and I hope it is as well to you and your council.

I will continue with diligence to look for a cure for Urushi and a reason for our steady loss of magic.

With deepest gratitude and respect,
I remain,
Your loving nephew,

Celatu

Stay up to date on Celatu and Shauna Roberts at 

Twitter: @ShaunaRoberts5


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Character Surprise Post: Susan Stec

Come and meet the pint-sized, smart-mouthed vampire, Christopher from Susan Stec's series, The Grateful Undead












Stay up to date on Christopher and Susan's books at:
Amazon B&N : Goodreads Twitter Facebook Pintrest Website Google+

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Friday, October 25, 2013

Steamiest Couple Contest

It's time to vote once again! Today we're voting on the steamiest couple from some of your favorite new books!

Check out the nominees and vote on the Rafflecopter below!



Prince Cole and Princess Samantha

Fate War: Alliance by EM Havens

Love is not easy, and especially for Prince Cole and Princess Samantha. Their relationship begins with a forced marriage and only deteriorates from there. Because of the experiences in his past, Cole is determined to at least have a companionable relationship with Samantha. She makes that nearly impossible though. Over the weeks Cole draws out Sam out of her preconditioned shell and eventually into his arms. He lights a fire in her mind and her heart. Together they make sparks fly in the tinker shop and the bedroom. 


Vanessa and Ketchup

Wicked Hunger by DelSheree Gladden

Vanessa's nearly uncontrollable hunger for pain and suffering has cost her more than she cares to explain. Losing her parents is a wound that will never heal. Watching her brother suffer in a psychiatric ward kills her. Losing Ketchup, it might have been the straw that broke her, but she has a small fragment of hope she clings to that one day she'll have him back keeps her going. There must be a way to calm her brother, Zander's hunger enough that he doesn't want to kill Ketchup every time he sees him. It's either that, or Van will have to choose between her one remaining sibling and the man she loves. 

Ketchup doesn't understand half of what Van goes through on a daily basis. He's seen her do amazing things, scary things, but he isn't running away. He never will. Van may not be willing to share everything about her dark past with him, but he understands more than she knows. He sees how much the burden of who she is weighs on her every day and he intends to do everything in his power to share the pain and despair she carries. Nothing she could ever tell him will make him leave. He just wishes he could make Van understand that and trust him with her secrets. 


Santangelo and Nicola

Sugar Man's Daughter by Lucy Crowe

Nic and Santangelo refused to participate in this contest, and in fact, suggested I seek counseling in order to overcome this constant desire for the limelight. They also expressed scorn when I threatened to have Johnny Depp and Penny Lane (of “Almost Famous” fame) stand in for them – Santangelo is more muscular than Depp, and definitely more Spanish. Nic wouldn’t be caught dead in that fur coat.
And so, in frustration – and okay, I’ll admit it, partly in retaliation – I turned to Disney, and I have to say I am pleased with the results. Aladdin is, indeed, the perfect Santangelo, and should my novel ever be animated (not likely, alas, given its somewhat dark and adult content) I would love to see him in the leading role. Like my character, he is quick and bright, and has a rather questionable reputation – beneath it all, an absolute prince. Not to mention, sexy as all get-out. And Rapunzel – the perfect Nic, all golden curls and bright eyes, sweet and bad tempered, too. My character is trapped her own tower as well, figuratively speaking. 
And so, ladies and gents, I offer you . . . ta-daa! . . . The Steamiest Couple! 


Braden and Libby

The Destroyer Trilogy by DelSheree Gladden

Guardian Braden was sent to capture, and if necessary kill, Libby's boyfriend, Milo. Libby is meant to destroy the world, and the Guardians are her prime enemy. Not exactly a recipe for romance, right? Well, it wouldn't be if not for the strange force compelling these two to stay in contact. Terrified of the connection, Libby does everything she can to keep Braden at a distance, but she has to admit, that boy is persistent! And his persistence is hard to resist. 

Braden has no intention of letting Libby get away from him, and it's no longer a professional interest. His mission was to find a way to kill her. It took barely more than a few minutes watching her fight to save a friend's life for him to know everything the Guardians had taught him about the Destroyer was a lie. Now, h's fighting to protect her without the Guardians finding out he's double crossed them. Braden knows protecting Libby may cost him everything, including his life, but he has no doubt it's worth it. 


Vote now for your favorite Steamy Couple!


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