Building Ennara's World

Today's special guest is Angela Myron. In her own words, she says:

Like many writers, I have a full life in which I juggle many duties and joys. I love to cook, garden, and play with my twins. As a mother to toddlers, I write whenever I am not helping them navigate their day--which typically means in the early mornings and early afternoons when they sleep, and sometimes when Grandma comes to visit.

I was twenty-two when writing became a passion of mine. I've been doing it in one form or another ever since. But it took me a very long time to follow my heart's desire to tell stories.

For years, I simply journaled. I delved into writing articles for newsletters and grant proposals. I settled into technical writing, often finding myself a one-person writing, editing, design, app development, and publication team. I learned the basics of journalism, and finally, when on maternity leave with my twins, I turned to writing fiction.

BUILDING ENNARA'S WORLD

World-building: it’s essential for every fantasy writer.

While true that the fantasy writer spends significant time creating the world in which their adventures take place, world building is not an exclusive domain of the fantasy writer. It is important to every fiction author. The suspense writer creates a world of espionage. The historical romance writer builds the world as it was, complete with period language, society, politics, and economics. What we write ends in very different stories, but we are all world building.

Building Ennara’s world began with the seeds of the story I wanted to tell. I wanted a story about a child with real-world magical abilities—those based on historic folklore. I learned about caul children years ago and decided to use them as a jumping-off point for this story. Because of the lore around the caul (it protects against drowning), I knew that the child’s planet must be mostly water. I also wanted to present an alternate future in which humanity returns to a way of living that is more connected to the natural world. Not utopian, but not dystopian either. So I knew that I would not be creating a new world, but modifying ours and setting it thousands of years ahead of our time.

Then my research began. Being a visual person, I searched for maps. I found projections of what the earth would look like if the polar caps melted away entirely. It was shocking. One day, I found a website in France that went beyond projections for icecaps—it showed what our planet would look like if the seas rose as much as 500 meters, or around 1600 feet. Now that changed the world completely. With a map, the people and societies of Lan fell into place and the history that caused the massive flood came easily. It felt as though I had one foot solidly planted in a real world—just not ours!

            Magic is essential to fantasies and must be defined from the beginning. The author must decide how the magic works, what it can and cannot do, and what the consequences of its use are. And the story needs to stick to those rules to maintain its realism.

Dividing magic into three different “flavors”, I created a structure that would define what magic could and could not be practiced in Lan. I limited it further by giving consequences to the use of magic—in this case, the depletion of the caster’s mental energy. Finally, I added one last definition: magic in Ennara’s world would be tied to the words used. The more powerful the spell, the older the language must be. Thus, the most powerful spells are limited to words in the IndoEuropean language. Of course, other languages are used for magic craft in Ennara’s world—as demonstrated with the life pod Ennara makes for Tork—but they aren’t as powerful. While these may be viewed as common definitions to magic in storytelling, it was essential to lay them out and follow the rules.

The beings that populate Ennara’s world came later—they were the result of plotting the story. In outlining Ennara’s journey as a hero, the creatures, settings, and people were drawn out to provide needed conflict and personal growth for the main characters. I then built them into her world by incorporating their backstories. For example, I outlined a history that explained a splitting of humanity into new “races” in which they called themselves traditional fantasy names. Thus a tribe-nation of rough, gigantic, and violent mountain men are called trolls. Goblins, dryads, nymphs, and humans also populate the world of Lan. Some of these races interact with Ennara and her friends, while others provide personal backstories for major characters. The rewards to Ennara’s journey were similarly built into the world in the plotting phase.

Building a realistic fantasy world starts from the first thoughts that inspire a story and continue through research, plotting, drafting, and revision. In the end, by addressing elements of plot, genre, theme, and character growth, you will have created a world that feels just as real as the one you write in.

       

  ABOUT THE BOOK

Eleven year-old Ennara Gaern has a serious grudge against the dragon on her right hand.

Born with a caul—a mask that foretold magical powers—she was immediately inked with the fiendish, fire-breathing tattoo that forces her to study boring texts, cover her hand continuously, and worst of all, keeps her from visiting the beautiful capital city, Dordonne. But her quiet life changes when one night she is attacked by a shadowy demon.

Tork, an old friend and wizard, is enlisted to help. But when he arrives, he informs Ennara’s parents that she is her world’s only hope of finding the legendary Sword of Gisilfrid, which is needed to destroy the curse that is creating the demons. Ennara doesn’t want to leave on the dangerous quest, but when she learns the curse threatens her world, she reluctantly agrees.

Ennara and the wizard begin a perilous journey to the Sunken City, pitting them against dangerous oceans and pirates intent on claiming Ennara’s magic as their own. With only her friends at her side, including the intelligent, aquatic cat Smoos, Ennara must defeat monsters guarding the sword and servants of the Fallen Druid. When her world is covered in darkness, will she know how to dispel the curse?

AN EXCERPT

Ennara shuffled to the rear of the cheese vendor’s stall, crouched low, and aimed. “Mag gwihuwo!”

A fine finger of black smoke curled toward the meat shop. As the ashy spell landed on the animal parts, they twitched. A woman walking by the stand shrieked. The butcher looked up, his eyes bigger than eggs and his mouth in an “O.” Several shoppers shouted in astonishment. Others yelled and ran.

A passing monk cried, “The devil is among us!” as six headless hens wriggled their way off the hooks and scrambled on the ground, flapping their featherless wings.

Then the lamb legs got free, and there they were, bouncing round the empty area in front of the butcher’s stall. The crowd parted. Some ran home. Others ran inside stores and shut the doors, but many stayed to see what would happen. The center of the plaza was clear except for the butcher, who hid in his stall clutching a cleaver, the city sentinel, still holding Kithe, Mr. Dulfsnark, a dozen reanimated chickens, five dancing legs of lamb, and a menacing zombie hog.

The watchman spun around as the gathering dispersed and saw the reanimated meat. “What the…?”

A chicken bolted for the man’s leg. He released his grip on Kithe and punted the creature away. The chicken flapped its wings as it whizzed through the air and smashed into a vegetable cart.

Mr. Dulfsnark made a mad grasp at a bouncing leg of lamb and struggled to hang on to it.

“Hey!” the butcher called, “You’ll be paying for the lamb, Dulfsnark!”

CONTACT THE AUTHOR - AND WIN A GIFT!

Angela will be awarding to a randomly drawn commenter during each week on the tour, a wall calendar print from http://www.cafepress.com/ennaraswag (Items can be exchanged for other equal or lesser value items from Ennara Swag on Cafepress.), and will award a t-shirt from http://www.cafepress.com/ennaraswag to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US ONLY). Also, a $20 Amazon GC will be awarded to a randomly drawn host.

Ennara t-shirt giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Week 3 calendar giveaway (July 15 - 19):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/05/virtual-book-tour-ennara-and-fallen.html

Buy links:

http://amzn.com/B00DD89L24

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ennara-and-the-fallen-druid-angela-myron/1115601148?ean=2940016708782&itm=1&usri=2940016708782

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/324640

Angela says:

I am grateful for every reader I have. Writing can be a solitary pursuit, but it can also be a dialog, a meeting of the minds. I invite you to connect with me:

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AngelaMyron

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/myron.angela?fref=ts

Website:  http://www.angelamyron.com/

Join my street team! Email me at myronangela@gmail.com to subscribe to my newsletters.

 

A Moment

Today's special guest is Marie Hall. Marie has always had a dangerous fascination for creatures that go bump in the night. And mermaids. And of course fairies. Trolls. Unicorns. Shapeshifters. Vampires. Scottish brogues. Kilts. Beefy arms. Ummm... Bad boys! Especially the sexy ones. Which is probably why she married one.

On top of that she's a confirmed foodie, she nearly went to culinary school and then figured out she could save a ton of money if she just watched food shows religiously! She's a self-proclaimed master chef, certified deep sea dolphin trainer, finder of leprechaun's gold at the end of the rainbow, and rumor has it she keeps the Troll King locked away in her basement. All of which is untrue, however, she does have an incredibly active imagination and loves to share her crazy thoughts with the world!


ABOUT THE BOOK

Ryan Cosgrove and Liliana Delgado are on a collision course with destiny. They don't know it yet, but before the night is over their lives will be forever changed.

Spending Valentine's Day at a burlesque bar, hadn't been Liliana's ideal way of spending a Friday night. She'd much rather be back at campus, doing homework... until she meets Ryan. Tall, athletic, and gorgeous, Lili can't keep her eyes off him, and despite his gruff manners and drunken disposition she's intrigued.

Ryan's got demons, and they're deep, dark, and eating him alive. Regardless of his attraction to the petite brunette he's tired of fighting, of pretending the last fifteen years haven't been a daily struggle just to get out of bed every morning. That night he decides to end his pain, to leave it all behind and float away into the blessed darkness of oblivion. But fate has other plans for him, Lily finds and rescues Ryan, determined she'll not only save his body, but his soul too.

This is their moment...

  AN EXCERPT

“He likes you.”

His voice is smooth. Rolling over my body like silk, reminding me of a good malt whiskey. Clearing my throat, I shift in my seat. “It’s not like that.”

“Funny,” he narrows his eyes, “that’s the same thing he said about you.”

He’s had a lot of vodka, I’m not sure how much, but it was enough-- enough to know that he sounds way too sober for someone so drunk.

I shrug. “Your point?”

Bringing the glass up to his full lips, it hovers along the bottom edge of it, making my pulse tremble in my throat. “Call it an observation.”

It’s weird. A part of me wants to keep talking to him, wants to learn more about him, another part is screaming at me to get up, run away, and never look back. Tapping my fingers on the table, I thin my lips.

I stay seated.

“What’s your name?” I finally ask, it’s been bothering me all night.

He smiles and I’m surprised to note he actually has a nice one. Not as open as Alex’s, or as pretty, but way more fascinating. His front teeth are slightly chipped and the action doesn’t seem like one he’s comfortable doing. There’s a hardness around his eyes that I wish I understood. But he has a wicked dimple and I’ve always been a sucker for those.

“Ryan.”

“That’s it, just Ryan?”

Staring at me, as if considering whether to take this further, he finally says, “Cosgrove.”

 
LEAVE A COMMENT - AND WIN A PRIZE!

Marie will be awarding at every stop an Ebook from her fairy tales series to a randomly drawn commenter, and a Grand Prize of a $50.00 Amazon or Barnes & Noble GC (Winner's Choice) to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. A $50.00 Amazon or Barnes & Noble GC (Winner's Choice) will be awarded to a randomly drawn host.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/04/virtual-blurb-blitz-tour-moment-by.html

If you want to see what new creations Marie has up her sleeves check out her blog:

www.MarieHallWrites.blogspot.com and sign up for her newsletter! :D

Buy links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Moment-Moments-Adult-Romance-ebook/dp/B00BTN2DSY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365478789&sr=1-1&keywords=a+moment

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-moment-marie-hall/1114832734?ean=2940016268996

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/A-Moment/book-Scw2mmiVQUqtC1gsXd357g/page1.html?s=vPXepw6w0EiMxVrdnyP-QQ&r=1

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/295016

Suspense from Joan Hall Hovey

Today's special guest is Joan Hall Hovey. In addition to her critically acclaimed novels, Joan Hall Hovey's articles and short stories have appeared in such diverse publications as The Toronto Star, Atlantic Advocate, Seek, Home Life Magazine, Mystery Scene, The New Brunswick Reader, Fredericton Gleaner, New Freeman and Kings County Record. Her short story Dark Reunion was selected for the anthology investigating Women, Published by Simon & Pierre.

Ms. Hovey has held workshops and given talks at various schools and libraries in her area, including New Brunswick Community College, and taught a course in creative writing at the University of New Brunswick. For a number of years, she has been a tutor with Winghill School, a distance education school in Ottawa for aspiring writers.

She is a member of the Writer's Federation of New Brunswick, past regional Vice-President of Crime Writers of Canada, Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.


ABOUT THE BOOKS

Nowhere To Hide:

Eppie Winner ~ Best Thriller    -  1992

  

SHE DARED TO CHALLENGE A MERCILESS KILLER

Raised in an atmosphere of violence and unpredictability, Ellen and Gail Morgan have banded together, survivors of a booze-fertilized battleground, forming a fierce united front against an often cold and uncaring world. When their parents are killed in a car crash, Ellen becomes the mother figure for Gail.

When fifteen years later Gail is brutally raped and murdered in her shabby New York basement apartment, practically on the eve of her big breakthrough as a singer, Ellen is inconsolable. Rage at her younger sister's murder has nearly consumed her. So when her work as a psychologist wins her an appearance on the evening news, Ellen seizes the moment. Staring straight into the camera, she challenges the killer to come out of hiding: "Why don't you come after me? I'll be waiting for you."

 

Phone calls flood the station, but all leads go nowhere. The police investigation seems doomed to failure. Then it happens: a note, written in red ink, slipped under the windshield wipers of her car, 'YOU'RE IT.' Ellen has stirred the monster in his lair … and the hunter has become the hunted!

Defective:

Therapist Melanie Snow is driving to her office when her Honda is struck by a dark-colored van and sent spinning into a ditch, where it catches fire. The driver never stops. A passerby pulls Melanie from the car just seconds before it explodes.

Waking from the coma nine days later, she is devastated to find she is blind.

As Melanie struggles to cope with her new reality, life as a blind woman, her fragile state of mind is further threatened by a madman who is stalking and strangling disabled women. The first two victims were mentally challenged and Detective Matt O’Leary, who carries a torch for Melanie, (even though Melanie is engaged to someone else) tells himself she is not the killer’s targeted prey. But then a woman who lost a leg to cancer is murdered, and another physically disabled woman is stalked. Even with a whole town in terror, Melanie refuses to live her life in fear and reopens her practice in the basement of her home. She has a living to earn.

And Detective Matt O’Leary must find a way to keep Melanie safe until the monster is caught. But how? Her door is now open to the public and the killer can just walk through anytime he chooses.

 And he does.

AN EXCERPT

Excerpt from DEFECTIVE:

It was mid-afternoon, overcast, and The East End Mall in Kingsdale was crowded with shoppers. The Eraser, as he liked to think of himself, sat at one of the molded plastic tables by himself, nursing a Pepsi and eating fries from a small cardboard plate, and people watching. It was one of his favorite things to do, especially in nice weather when the girls wore shorts or tight jeans, some with their tanned midriffs bare, skimpy tops that showed off their boobs and skinny jeans that accentuated their tight little butts. Why not? He was a normal guy, he told himself.  He avoided looking at the ones with flab hanging over their waistbands.  He had girlfriend once or twice, but it didn't last. The last one said he was weird and just stopped returning his calls. Well, to hell with her.

His eye strayed momentarily to the big screen monitor advertising Nike sneakers. Then it changed to a rent-a-car commercial and on to something else, but he'd already looked away. Idly dipping a French fry in the small pool of ketchup on his plate, he popped it in his mouth and went back to girl-watching. They did little for him today. His hand moved to cover the scratch that the retard left on his cheek, though it was fading now. That Polysporin ointment was good stuff.

Music played over the sound system, competing with the jabbering of shoppers, nothing he recognized. Probably supposed to keep people shopping, buying junk they didn't need.  His gaze narrowed ever so slightly as a young girl with a silver ring in her lower lip and wearing black eyeliner got up from a table not far from him and limped heavily to the waste bin and dumped in the remainder of her meal, a half-eaten hamburger, fries. She sat the tray on top of the stack. Behind her, someone called out, "Hey, Lana," and the girl turned in his direction and took a step forward so he could see her full-length; she looked past his shoulder and waved. He felt his heartbeat rev up, his throat go dry.

She had short dark hair, and was wearing a khaki skirt and cream-colored blouse. Her dimpled smile, the gleam of white, even teeth barely registered on him. He didn't even glance behind him at the woman who had called out to her. He had no interest. As he had no genuine interest in the woman who returned the wave, really.

No. It was her foot in its big brown shoe that drew and held his attention. Not brown exactly, but like tea when you put milk in it. Taupe. Yes, that was what his mother called that color. It was all he could see when he looked at her: that big clunking shoe.  So ugly it offended him, as deformities of any kind offended him. Even horrified him. A chill had crept down his back. He had to work extra hard to keep the disgust and pity from his face. She was a mistake. A blight, a tragic spawn. She must be erased. Like when you're a kid and you draw a picture of something and it doesn't come out right. You just erase it. Or rip out the page, and start again.

He was the eraser of mistakes. The good Lord had chosen him to do this work. Not that he was blaming God. No, there was no blame to be handed out here. Some small voice told him his reasoning was flawed, that that wasn't why they had to die. But he wasn't listening. As people were born of sin, women carried the faulty limbs, twisted features and minds within them. Carriers. As his mother had been a carrier, her womb spewing forth a defective, barely human—thing. Not the defective's fault either. But since the flaw couldn't be repaired, the whole issue had to be erased. The burden lifted. The Eraser held that kind of power; he could end suffering, change lives for the better. He remembered well the very moment he had changed his own life   but no time for that now. She was heading for the exit doors. He rose casually from his chair, tossing the remainder of his own fries and drink into the trash, dropped his tray on top of hers, and followed. He was really following the 'shoe'. His eyes were riveted on the shoe. It filled his vision, his consciousness. That big, ugly shoe that rose and fell, rose and fell, her left hip dipping in sync, the shoe dragging it downward, seeming an entity in itself. When she stepped through the automatic doors into the grey, drizzly day, he was right behind her. Close enough to touch her. He buried his hands deep in his pockets to stifle the urge.

 
LEAVE A COMMENT - AND WIN A GIFT!

Joan will award one randomly drawn commenter a $50 gift certificate for sunglasses at Sunglasses Shack (US/Canada only).

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/06/blurb-blitz-suspense-from-joan-hall.html

www.joanhallhovey.com

Defective on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Defective-A-Novella-ebook/dp/B00CO81XAW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1367880554&sr=1-1&keywords=Defective

Nowhere to Hide on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Nowhere-to-Hide-ebook/dp/B0045Y2F4G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1335885750&sr=1-1

Praise for Joan Hall Hovey’s Books

“…suspense that puts her right up there with the likes of Sandford and Patterson..." Ingrid Taylor for Small Press Review

 "...Alfred Hitchcock and Stephen King come to mind, but JOAN HALL HOVEY is in a Class by herself!…" J.D. Michael Phelps, Author of My Fugitive, David Janssen
"…CANADIAN MISTRESS OF SUSPENSE…The author has a remarkable ability to turn up the heat on the suspense… great characterizations and dialogue…" James Anderson, author of Deadline

"...a gripping style that wrings emotions from everyday settings. Oh and by the way ...is your door locked?" Linda Hersey - Fredericton Gleaner

"...will keep readers holding their breath until the very end..." inthelibraryreview, Melissa Parcel
"This one is a chiller - you won't be able to put it down - guaranteed!"- Rendezvous Magazine
"If you are looking for the suspense thriller of the year-look no further…you will find it in Nowhere To Hide..." Jewel Dartt Midnight Scribe Reviews

 

Gold Manor Ghost House

Today's special guest is Merry Brown. Born and raised in Bakersfield, California, Merry now lives in the northwest corner of Tennessee with her husband, three boys, and Daisy the cat. She teaches philosophy at the University of Tennessee, Martin, where she counts it a great privilege and joy to introduce students to perennial questions about the nature of the universe, meaning, morality, and the human condition. Merry Brown's love of philosophy and young adult paranormal and dystopian literature inspired her to write THE KNOWERS, the first book in the Exiled Trilogy. GOLD MANOR GOLD HOUSE is her latest YA paranormal romance book.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Anna thought life was going to be awesome.  She was right…and wrong.

Won her dream job acting in a hit TV series.  Check.

Working with her best friend.  Check.

The set’s haunted and she’s in the middle of a supernatural war.  Uh, check?

Anna Rose Ellington is sixteen and living in Hollywood, hoping to be a star. Anna just landed a major role on Ghost House, TeenTV’s new fall drama.  A show promising to be so hot, Meg Sweet (the reigning teenage diva), signed on for the lead, and Adam Lewis (international rock sensation) is a principal player.

Her dreams are falling into place until she gets on set and begins questioning her sanity.  It’s true she has an unusual dream life, where once in a while her dreams literally come true.  But it’s been a while.  On top of her dreams not staying put in her brain, including the guy she’d been dreaming of for years, the house they’re filming in, Gold Manor, might actually be haunted.  But that’s the least of her worries.
 
AN EXCERPT

“Keep your hands off her,” Corey yelled as he pulled his fist back for another hit.  A second before Corey’s hand made contact with his face, Adam’s eyes opened and quick as lightning he grabbed his fist.  Forcing it up and throwing Corey off balance, Adam jumped to his feet.

“I’m going to kill you, Lewis,” Corey growled.

I cleared my mind of everything but one thought, please don’t hurt him, please don’t hurt him. Adam instantly moved from retaliation mode to defense only.  Out of nowhere, Dom was standing in front of Adam, hands on Corey, trying to push him back and calm him down.

I was by his side, coaching him, reminding him, “Breathe, Corey.  In and out.  In and out.”

“No,” he spit back and lunged at me.

I barely escaped the blow to my jaw, but my thigh was not so lucky.  Going down with a scream, I wasn’t on the grass long before Corey was beside me, knocked out cold with Adam standing over him.

It didn’t seem possible for Adam to take Corey in a fight.  Corey was bigger, had more muscles, built like a line-backer to Adam’s thinner frame.  But no one could deny the evidence of Corey out by Adam’s fist.

My leg ached from the punch.  I’d have an ugly bruise for weeks.

“You okay?” Adam asked with an indifferent voice, but I wasn’t fooled.  I saw the hatred burning behind his eyes.

 
LEAVE A COMMENT - AND WIN A GIFT!

One randomly drawn commenter will win a $25 Amazon gift card.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/05/virtual-book-tour-gold-manor-ghost.html

http://www.merrybrown.com

twitter: @merryebrown

Facebook: Merry Brown

Link to book: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=gold+manor+ghost+house

Legacy Reborn

Today's special guest is Genie Gabriel. In her own words, Genie says:

I'm an optimist whose rose-colored glasses have bent frames and cracked lenses. When life kicks me in the teeth, I find miracles and lessons I refused to learn an easier way. In fact, I live with a small herd of miracles in the furry forms of dogs, who are constantly trying to teach me to forgive, to play more, and to love without limits. I write about people who find courage and integrity in the darkest times of their lives, who rescue stray dogs and kittens, who find a person they would willingly give their lives for, and who make their little corners of the world a better place. People have remarked my stories "aren't what they expected." With rose-colored glasses firmly in place, I take that as a compliment. I invite you to share a piece of my world in the pages of a book, and hope you find some surprises, some tears, some laughter, and always a happy ending.

ABOUT THE BOOK

An attorney devoted to social causes and a burned out women's advocate help save their home town while struggling not to fall in love. However, an unintended pregnancy and a gift from the heart lead them on a journey to new possibilities and love.

AN EXCERPT

As CJ stepped onto the floor to dance with his sister, Phoenix couldn't tear her gaze away from his leanly muscled frame in a white tuxedo. His longish hair brushed his shoulders, bringing to mind a gentleman of the Old West, fitting perfectly with the mood of this celebration.

She started out playing it cool, thinking CJ would immediately ask her to dance. However, when yet another dance started and he passed her by with no more than a wink, she began to feel a bit perturbed.

I'm a wallflower. Standing by a beautifully inlaid wood wall of the ballroom in Waring House, but a wallflower nonetheless.

Had she grown warts on her nose since the waltzing started? Missed a piece of salad between her teeth from dinner? Had her deodorant given out? 

Discreetly, Phoenix checked out the possible offenses. She took a quick glance in one of the gilded mirrors placed strategically around the room to reflect the twirling dancers. Stretched her arms upward with quick sniff to the side.

Nope. Everything seemed normal.

"What are you doing?" CJ stood in front of her, curiosity in his eyes.

"Ah...practicing my dance moves," Phoenix said. "I used to be a disco queen."

CJ lifted an eyebrow. "Unless my math is really bad, you're too young to be a disco queen. But would you like to waltz?"

Phoenix almost refused just to be contrary. But she so wanted CJ to hold her in his arms. So with what she hoped was casual indifference, she said, "I believe I have room on my dance card for perhaps one waltz."

CJ grinned and twirled Phoenix onto the dance floor. After a few basic box steps, he turned and swept her into a graceful swirl. Phoenix followed as if drawn by a magnet.

Staring into her eyes, he back-stepped and turned. She followed flawlessly. Another turn and a swoop. A swirl and another. A backstep and CJ twirled Phoenix away from him and under his arm. Swirls and dips round and round left her breathless. Wanting more than a dance. Wanting...

 

LEAVE A COMMENT - AND WIN A PRIZE!

Genie will be awarding nine $9 Amazon GCs -- eight will be awarded to randomly drawn commenters during the tour, and one will be awarded to a randomly drawn host.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/06/super-book-blast-legacy-reborn-9-in.html

Web site: http://www.GenieGabriel.com

blog: http://oshealegacyseries.blogspot.com

NOTE: All nine books in the Halo Legacy Series will be $0.99 the day of the tour!

http://shop.roguephoenixpress.ieasysite.com/category.aspx?categoryid=82

 

Blind Allegiance

Today's special guest is Violetta Rand. Violetta holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Policy and a master's degree in Environmental Management. Serving as an environmental scientist in the state of Alaska for over seven years, she enjoys the privilege of traveling to remote places few people have the opportunity to see.

Violetta has been "in love" with writing since childhood. Struck with an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age, at five, she wrote short stories illustrated by her best friend and sold them in her neighborhood. The only thing she loves more than writing is her wonderful relationship with her husband, Jeff. She enjoys outdoor activities, reading whatever she can get her hands on, music, and losing herself in the ancient worlds she enjoys bringing to life in the pages of her stories.

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

Have you always been interested in Vikings? 

I’ve always been interested in warrior cultures in general. However, when I compare my favorites (Scottish Highlanders, Samurais, Romans, and Vikings), Norsemen always win. As one of the most successful seafaring cultures in history, Vikings had access to ports all over the world. How exciting is that?  I’m hooked! These fearless men braved the high seas without modern technology and conquered and traded with civilizations unknown to most peoples. I also deeply appreciate their religious traditions and conflicts.

I grew up on the Gulf of Mexico—I can’t remember how many dragonships I imagined on the horizon.

Was there significant research required on Viking culture and traditions?

Yes. There are so many funny misconceptions out there about Vikings. For example, many sources claim the Norse had poor hygiene. In fact, they were likely one of the most hygienic cultures of their time. Bathhouses, saunas, and access to so many rivers suggests otherwise. Water was an integral part of their culture. Vikings traded with Muslims and Jews, cultures that required strict adherence to religious cleanliness. I can’t imagine filthy barbarians sharing space with sultans and princes in the ancient east.

My research included the pantheon of gods and goddesses, religious/cultural traditions, religious conflict, symbolism of nature/environment, civil and criminal laws, property laws, inheritance laws, courting and marriage, structure of the Norwegian nobility, dragonships, and so much more…

My favorite research tool for this project was Google Translate. I substituted modern Norwegian for Old Norse in Blind Allegiance.

Have you ever traveled to Norway?

No, but I live in Alaska which has similar geography, climate, and flora and fauna. Only five countries border the Arctic Ocean (United States, Russia, Norway, Canada, and Denmark by way of Greenland) and Alaska is the only state in the United States that does. I’ve visited and worked in regions along the Arctic coast and have always been deeply affected by its beauty and remoteness. I consider this the next best thing. My plan is to visit Norway soon.

What research was needed for the geographic locations used in the book?

I did a lot of internet surfing for century-specific maps. After I identified which maps were the best, I started looking more closely at regions and cities. Next, I researched climate and topography. Winter/northern landscapes (fjords, snow-capped mountains, icy rivers, and boreal forests) are my favorite. The main setting in Blind Allegiance is the Trondelag, which is located along the west coast of Norway.

Tell us more about the dynamics between Noelle, her brother, and Randvior. Are their characters based on anyone you know?

Noelle Sinclair and her brother, Brian, couldn’t be more diametrically opposed. Noelle is courageous and loyal to a fault (the book is named for her). Brian is cunning and looks out for number one, himself. He’d sacrifice his own mother if it kept him alive.

Randvior Sigurdsson is a man with a vision for the future. He realizes the political and religious landscape in Europe and Norway is changing. He’s fiercely devoted to his country and Odin. Once he witnesses Noelle’s bravery, he realizes there’s something incredibly special about her.

Brian bargains for his life once Randvior invades his home in northern England. The bargaining chip—his sister, Noelle. Randvior feels nothing but contempt for the coward. He believes he’s a better choice for Noelle’s future.

I think it’s common for most writers to add depth to their characters by borrowing the best and worst traits we see in ourselves and the people we know. Randvior shares several characteristics and physical traits with my husband, especially devotion and physical strength.

Brian is simply a man anyone would hate.

 

Will these characters be returning in a future book?

If I can convince my editor/publisher to accept a second book with Randvior and Noelle as the primary characters, I’d love to continue with their story.

Right now, Randvior and Noelle are mentioned in Book 2 of the Blind Series, Blind Mercy. This story focuses on their middle son, Tyr Sigurdsson.

What are you working on next?

Currently I’m half way through Book 3 of the series, Blind Vengeance.  I’m also writing a contemporary romance with strong environmental ties.

ABOUT THE BOOK

It’s a risk of a lifetime loving a man you’re supposed to hate…

Betrayed by a brother she hardly trusted before the bloodthirsty Viking, Jarl Randvior Sigurdsson, attacks her home, Noelle Sinclair is conveniently bartered as a means to save her cowardly sibling’s skin. Forced to leave her homeland and accompany the petulant Viking to the untamed wilderness of central Norway, Noelle is ever-aware of the burgeoning dangers around her—including her weakening resolve to resist Randvior.

Should Noelle surrender to his resplendent charms and seduction, or fight with every ounce of strength she possesses to get home?

AN EXCERPT

She covered her face, blocking Randvior’s eyes from her own. She was only guessing—which never served anyone very well. She whirled, retreating full speed, heading directly for the cabin. She collided with a soldier. Noelle shoved him away in a huff, and tripped over her own feet as she stumbled through the door. She slammed it shut, barricading herself inside.

Confinement was the only escape at her disposal. But that only lasted a few minutes. Randvior tried to open the door. She braced her legs, hoped to keep the rest of the world locked out until they reached Norway. Randvior twisted the knob and pushed, but she stayed stubbornly locked in position. He banged on the planks and demanded she open the door. If she refused any longer, he’d probably just kick it down. She braced herself for what might happen when he came in and reluctantly stepped aside.

 

“What happened out there? Did you see a ghost?” he asked, entering the room.

“I would consider myself most fortunate if it was only an apparition taunting me.” She sat on the bed and wringed her hands nervously. “My conscience troubles me.” She raised her eyes to meet his.

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. She couldn’t keep herself from sneaking admiring looks at his body. Only flesh and bone, she reminded herself, he’s only flesh and bone. His fine looks did little to relieve her; she was so helplessly riddled with guilt, she didn’t know what to do with herself any more. 

He closed the door and moved closer. “Remember the things I told you in England?”

“I remember too much.”

What she really wanted were assurances for her future. She wanted him to vow he would care for her life as loyally as he would his own kinswoman’s. If he wouldn’t make her his wife, he should choose someone else. She needed a husband to protect her interests now. Even an inexperienced adolescent or an old man would do. As long as he had a pulse and a respectable name, she’d accept it. This was the only bargaining chip she had left.


LEAVE A COMMENT AND WIN A GIFT!

Violetta will award a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one randomly drawn commenter.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/04/virtual-book-tour-blind-allegiance-by.html

Visit Violetta at:

http://www.violettarand.com/