The Next Big Thing

My friend and fabulous author, Megg Jensen, tagged me in this post last week. I was supposed to post this back then, but time is not my friend. I'm surprised I found some now. :) Since being tagged, I feel the responsibility to pass this along. First, I answer some questions. Second, I suggest five other authors I hope haven't been tagged already.

Here we go!

What is the title of your next book?

Blood Pyre, A Lords of Shifters Novella

Where did the idea come from for the book?

This next book is a continuation of the Lords of Shifters series. I began this series with Loramendi's Story several years ago. It's been changed and rewritten so many times that there really is no single point of origination for the series. For example, Loramendi's Story is no longer the first book in the series, Spider Wars is. It has evolved from thinking, brainstorming, and massaging people. Most of my book ideas come while I'm at work as a massage therapist. Strange, huh?

What genre does your book fall under?

Upper young adult.

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

To be honest, I dream big, but I'm not good at planning. Sure, I'd adore it if someday my books are created into beautiful films and all. That would be totally rad! I haven't given much thought as to who would play the characters, though. I'd probably wish for unknown actors, teens just out of or still in high school looking for a break into the industry. Once upon a time, I wanted to be an actor. An opportunity to work in a major film would have been a dream come true.

Will your books be self-published or represented by an agent?

Thus far, my books are all self-published.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I wouldn't. ;)

What or who inspired you to write this book?

This will be the fourth book in the series. It has evolved to this point in the story. Music inspires me. Movies inspire me. Life inspires me.

What else about your book might pique the readers' interest?

I'm doing something different this time around. I usually write the blurb before I write the book. Since the book is in a constant state of change while I'm writing it, the blurb usually ends up having to be changed by the time the book is complete. The blurb for Blood Pyre will be released once it is finished and going through edits. Until then, I have the cover to share with you.

Book cover by Robin Ludwig


And now, five totally awesome authors I think you will enjoy... They may or may not choose to participate. Either way, they rock and you should check them out!

Lisa Nowak
Stacey Wallace Benefiel
Laura A.H. Elliot
Cidney Swanson
Cheri Lasota
Emily Ann Ward
Angeline Kace
Mindi Scott
Craig Hansen
G.P. Ching

I was never good at math. Oh well.

Unfurl by Cidney Swanson -- Blog Tour!

Today, I have the privilege to be a part of the Unfurl Blog Tour. Unfurl is the third book in the Ripple Series. The author, Cidney Swanson, happens to be a super groovy chick. I've heard wonderful things about this series. (I happen to adore every book cover in this series. Don't you?)

Here's Cidney

Love in a Minor Key 

While my main characters are the ones who wake me early in the morning and keep me tossing and turning at night, there are days when I find myself a bit seduced by the charms of a minor character.

Like Sir Walter de Rochefort.

Ah, Sir Walter, you relentless tease. Of all the characters in my Ripple series, he’s the most likely to show up inside my head with a mission to tell me what he’s thinks of something. Anything. The dinner I cooked. The dinner I didn’t cook. The danger in which I’ve placed him in a current chapter. His opinions on American culture. Or American slang. Or American vegetables. Or American _________. (You fill in the blank—he’s got lots of opinions about all things American.)

Whereas my other characters (major and minor) skedaddle the moment I finish writing for the day, Sir Walter refuses. He hangs around unseen and unexpected like the invisible man he is. And then he ambushes me at absolutely ridiculous moments with his Gallic wit and accent (which is remarkably sexy, considering he’s old enough to be my . . . er . . . never mind—too hard to calculate.)

His complete devotion to France and all things French just kills me. He’s so certain that his country has already pronounced the last word in everything from fashion to dining to automobiles. I mean, really? (“Absolument, my dear,” he replies. Absolutely.)

There’s the fact he can cook a mean cassoulet, dispatch an armed villain, and perform surgery all within a few hours. There’s his loyalty to Mickie, Will and Samanthe. There’s his ability to take a trivial experience (a day at an amusement park) and draw out of that lessons for living life with more compassion. Or with a willingness to sacrifice one’s own life for the good of others. Um, gosh, Sir Walter. Maybe I should be grateful you hang around so much. Maybe it will rub off on me.

So, in a few minutes when I step away from my desk for the evening, I’ll be keeping an ear out for my French friend. I’m reheating take-out pizza. I’m sure he’ll have something to say about that.

What minor characters have you fallen for big time?

Sir Walter invites you to enter the giveaway below, of which he approves, and in which he is an important if minor character.