Interview with paranormal romance author Maggie Mundy

Today’s special guest is Maggie Mundy. She’s currently touring her paranormal romance novel, World Change: Earthbound Trilogy Book One with Goddess Fish Promotions.

Maggie will be awarding an e- copy of World Change to a randomly drawn commenter at each stop during the tour, so you have a fantastic chance of winning! Simply leave a comment below! To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and leave comments there, too.

Welcome, Maggie. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I live in Adelaide, Australia and I am a member of Romance Writers of Australia, and the local chapter SARA (South Australian Romance Authors). I recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in Drama, English and Creative Writing. I have had a short story published in the RWA Topaz Anthology Little Gems in 2010 called Sea and Vines. I have had an erotic novella called Blood Scent published in July 2013 by Rogue Phoenix Press. Its sequel Blood Oath will be out this October. I also have a paranormal romance called Hidden Mortality published February 2014 by Soul Mate Publishing. World Change is the first book in the Earthbound Trilogy.

Please tell us about your current release, World Change.

Clare is a twenty-five-year-old nurse who loves reading fantasy and paranormal books. Fiction becomes fact when she gets transported from Italy to an alternate world, one that looks like fourteenth century Italy. The only way back to Earth is through a portal half a world away, plus the local High priestess wants her dead, and the only one she can trust is a vampire called Trevi. He happens to be the only one who exits in this world, and she knows more about what he is than he does. After all the books she has read he is hard to resist, especially when he saves her life. Trevi can take her home but he is keeping one big secret. She will have to be like him to survive the journey through the portal back to her world making a myth a reality.

What inspired you to write this book?

I had an initial idea about someone who loved reading fantasy and then wondered what it would be like for them to wake up in a fantasy world. I also liked the idea of a different take on the vampire myth. Trevi is the only one in his world so he had no one who can explain why he is different. I have always wanted to visit Italy, and to be a more specific, Florence. I love the history that abounds in the region of Tuscany. It has political intrigue with a past involving the Medici’s. It also has the some of the greatest art work in the world by the likes of Leonardo Da Vinci there. In my novel World Change I tried to capture some of the political intrigues and beauty of the time and mix it with something supernatural.

Excerpt:

Clare turned to run but he was on top of her, pinning her to the ground. She held her breath, too frightened to breathe. With the moonlight behind him, his face was in shadow. He sniffed her then ran the tip of his tongue down her cheek to her neck. Clare swallowed as she struggled to breathe. Her heart beat so fast she could feel it through her chest. If he was going to bite her, then maybe this drunken illusion would be over. He didn't bite her. She could feel his fangs as he ran them up and down her neck. Where they touched, her skin tingled. He licked the blood away and the pain eased where her skin had been pierced by the spear. The calming thoughts of before were returning. She should be fighting him but it was the furthest thing from her mind. He was turning her on and she could feel the ache between her legs as his tongue swirled on her neck.

"Go ahead, do what you have to do. Maybe it will bring reality back."

He didn't bite her. Instead he trailed kisses from her neck to her lips. She should push him away but she opened to him. His cool tongue probing. He tasted sweet. Clare had never thought herself into erotic fantasy, but she felt an irresistible attraction to this man she was finding hard to control. Her tongue entered his mouth searching for his fangs. They scratched her tongue and she heard him groan as a sweet taste entered her mouth. It was at that moment her world became dark.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am working on World Apart. The second book in the trilogy. It is set on another world and brings in some new characters with their own romance.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I had finished my first manuscript. It was a massive 150,000 word fantasy. It has since been culled to 120,000 but has still not found a home yet. It convinced me I could finish a story.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I am an operating room sister so I don’t always get as much chance to write as I would like to. If I can I try and write every day. Sometimes it is difficult when life gets in the way. Even if I am not writing I find that I am constantly thinking about plots. I can’t switch off the voices in my head. They keep saying write my story.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I am a continuity freak. I can’t stand it if something does not match up.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a policewoman. I was too short and half blind. Then I thought about the navy. Had a thing for uniforms I guess. I didn’t want to be a nurse, but found myself shunted in that direction. It has served me well. But I love being a writer.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I am honored when I get a review. I never get over the thrill that I have written something and someone enjoys the journey as they read it as much as I did writing it.

Links:

Pinterest | Goodreads | Twitter | Website | Facebook

Amazon | AllRomance | Rogue Phoenix Press

Thanks, Maggie!

Interview with fantasy author Davidson Haworth

Today’s guest is fantasy author and Dr. Who aficionado Davidson L. Haworth. He’s focused on his newest novel, The Defenders of Prali which will be releasing later this year.

Bio:

Davidson L. Haworth was born in San Jose, California on October 29, 1969 where he also formed his writing interests at the age of six. Raised by his father he searched for an outlet to explore new ideas and it is at a young age that he began to write short stories, and at the age of seven he began writing screenplays to be performed at Sherman Oaks Elementary school where he attended school in San Jose, California. Eventually Davidson would begin traveling to England where he would discover castles, knights, and crusader history. From that day forward Davidson was catapulted into the realm of history and fantasy and eventually he would combine the two in his writings and become the father of historical fantasy.

While the interest in history and fantasy piqued his interest Davidson began reading legendary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Those two authors together with his Roman Catholic upbringing brought new ideas together with some of the classics to form stories that are heroic in nature and moral in content.

Davidson L. Haworth enjoys meeting old friends and new friends, because he believes there are no such things as strangers, only friends he hasn’t met yet. In his fervor to speak to people from around the world and at home Davidson has traveled the world on international book tours to speak about the genre of fantasy, writing, and history. He has spoken at the prestigious Lomonosov Moscow State University (Moscow, Russia), Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Kyiv, Ukraine), Tula State Leo Tolstoy Pedagogical University (Tula, Russia), Socrates Foreign Language Center (Sergiev Posad, Russia), and several American Councils in Europe. In the United States Davidson speaks the same subjects at comic book, anime, and fantasy conventions. He is also considered an expert in Doctor Who, an iconic British TV show. Davidson lives with his wife and two children in San Jose, California.

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Welcome, Davidson. Please tell us about your current release.

The Defenders of Prali is the fourth and final book in the Prali series. It takes place in the times of the Crusades in Italy where a gate to the underworld has been exposed, and it is up to five brave heroes to destroy the evil coming from within and save the worldly inhabitants from such creatures as a dragon, wizard, and vampires. It is historical fantasy and so many of the locations in the book actually exist and some historical figures are in the book as well. If you enjoy Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, you will enjoy this book for sure.

What inspired you to write this book?

I have been writing this series since its inception in 2009 and have continued to expand on its universe, but the time has come to end it and move on to other subjects within the realm of the fantasy genre. The series includes: The Dragon of Prali, The Wizard of Prali, and The Vampires of Prali.

Excerpt from The Defenders of Prali:

The shaking becomes like an earthquake within the cave. Mary rising from her comfortable position, her heart begins to pound with fear, and her body feeling the hesitance to make a move against the dragon. She moves her slender body against the balcony wall, crouching into position, taking her bow into her hand, and placing an arrow in the bow. Mary realizes she needs to see if the dragon had entered, she knows the advantage of surprise belonged to her, but is Bernard ready to take on the challenge? Will they both hesitate? Mary finally decides to peer over the balcony; she needs to see for herself. Mary finally looks over the wall and only feeling the shaking of the cave. Surprisingly the altar is still with the look of serenity surrounding it. No dragon to be seen as Mary scratches her head in confusion. No dragon but plenty of rumbling of the ground to go around. Then like a lightning strike of surprise as a loud growl heard in the direction of the main large entrance.

What exciting story are you working on next?

Currently I am involved in writing a book filled with short fantasy and science fiction stories. I have always wanted to do a little sci-fi and this gives me the chance to dabble a bit.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I first began when I was six years of age and I wrote a screenplay, but to say when I was considered a writer it would have to have happened right out of college when I was hired to write fantasy character details for a publisher.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I write full time and I do my best to stay disciplined. I usually start my day around 8:00am and check e-mails and other correspondence. Noon time I jog with my beagle Heston and then have lunch. The rest of the day is spent writing until the evening hours. That is the usual schedule, but sometimes personal life gets into the mix and I deviate from the norms.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Getting too emotional while writing, especially when I kill off a character and tears run down my cheek.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to play professional football for the Oakland Raiders. I thought it could happen in High School where I averaged two touchdowns a game as a tight end, but to no avail.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Yes, come and join me on Facebook or any other internet outlet. Check out my events and come over to see me live and in person. I always enjoy meeting new friends and talking comic books, sports, books, and just about anything else under the sun.

Upcoming Events:

March 7-9, 2014 - Guest at Wizard World Sacramento (Sacramento, CA) http://www.wizardworld.com/home-sacramento.html

April 12-13, 2014 - Author Guest at San Jose Fantasy Faire (San Jose, CA) www.sjfantasy.com

May 17-18, 2014 - Guest at Big WOW! ComicFest (San Jose, CA) www.bigwowcomicfest.com

Thanks, Davidson!

Interview with author Olga Vannucci

Olga Vannucci is here today to chat with us about her book, Travels With George: A Memoir Through the Italy of My Childhood which combines travel, Italy, and family.

Bio:

Olga Vannucci was born in Italy, lived in Brazil, and came to the United States to attend Brown University. She lives in rural New Jersey with her beloved son, George.

Welcome, Olga. Please tell us about your book.

I was born in Italy and came to the U.S. for college, and I’ve lived here ever since. When my son was seven years old, I realized that I hadn’t been back to Italy in ten years, and I went, and took him along. Then I went four more times, and I wrote a book about those trips, a mix of travelogue, personal history, and little anecdotes.

What inspired you to write this book?

What possessed me? I am a very shy and private person, and I have no idea what possessed me! I think I felt that what I had to say was a little bit different in that I’m both an Italian native and a tourist. What I find interesting is that my friends who have read the book say it sounds just like me. It’s written in the present tense, so it feels like you are along and I’m talking to you.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m working on two new projects. I’m working on a book of travels with my son in the U.S. America is so varied, there’s so much to see and do. The other project is around cooking with my mother. She is a fantastic cook, and I can’t boil an egg. I am building a book around her recipes, and around her and me. I think it will be really cool.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’m still getting used to considering myself a writer because this is my first book! What brings it home for me is hearing from others about the things that spoke to them in the book, and they range from the more profound to the totally mundane. 

Women will focus on the mothering aspects of the book, dealing with my son. Men enjoy my description of how Italians give directions: they start from a place you’ve never heard of, proceed vaguely, and stop well before your destination. Apparently that’s happened to others… They can relate, and I love when people tell me they can relate to something I wrote about, and I feel like a writer.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I have a full-time job that involves numbers rather than words. I’m divorced and I write on Sunday afternoons when my son is with his father. I have carved out that time. Having said that, I go through phases: sometimes I write manically and sometimes I set the writing aside for a while until I’m excited go back to it. It seems to work as a method, at least for me.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I use commas when I should be using periods! I know, it’s shocking… I do that sometimes when I’m stringing short sentences together one after the other. It seems to me to mimic the way someone talks when telling about something that happened, as in, “We went there, we did this, that happened, it was great.”

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A hairdresser. Though I know now I could never handle the small talk that’s required.

Anything else you'd like to share with the readers?

The book is available on Amazon, both printed and Kindle versions, at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=olga+vannucci+travels.

Thanks, Olga. I'm happy to meet you and glad to have you join the blog.