Interview with writer Casey Samuel Bell

Writer Casey Samuel Bell is here today. We’re chatting about his new poetry chapbook, Poems from the Other Side.

Bio:

Proud Uncle Casey Bell has authored two Young Adult books, three General Fiction, three Non-Fiction, two Short-Stories, one Horror, one book of Poetries, five Children books, one book of collection of Art, and has produced four Word Search books. Twenty-two books in total, but has no intentions of slowing down. He enjoys sharing stories, ideas, and art that cause people to think beyond the box. Not only a writer, but also a playwright, graphic designer, fine artist, and fashion designer.

Welcome, Casey. What inspired you to write this book?

It is a book of my poetry. I always think differently from everyone. Basically, the side of topics no one ever sees. So, I decided to write poetry on topics from the side I see no one else sees. I also added songs and poems I wrote years ago (5-10).

Excerpt:

LOVE IS

Love is massaging the backs of those who stabbed yours.

Love is giving sun to those who shade you

Love is lifting the people up who took you down

Love is speaking kindly to those who gossiped and rumored

Love is praising those who criticized you

Love is complementing those who condemned you

Love is smiling at those who frown at you

Love is laughing with those who have laughed at you

Love is hugging those who dream of strangling you

Love is giving love to those who gave you hate

Love is not an emotion

It is an action you choose to execute in the midst of hate.

What exciting project are you working on next?

I am working on a series of children’s books, “American History.” They shine light on inventors and innovators the American school systems leave out of their curriculum. The first two have been published and I am working on five more.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

About two years ago. I wrote as a child, but never thought of it as a job. I wrote, songs, poems, plays, and prayers all the time. Mostly it was my therapy, but when I got ideas, I wrote them down. The second book I wrote was the first to be published in 2007, but I didn’t consider myself a writer until recently. I believed the lie the school system taught me that due to my grades I wasn’t good enough to be a writer. I kept running away from it, but writing seems to be the only thing I find success in so I finally denounce the lies I was taught and accepted me for who I am, 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 am not a full-time writer just yet, but I plan to be one within in the next two years.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I can’t say I have any. Every book I write has its own conception story. The only thing I can say is the book that took me ten years to write, I decided to write it backwards. From end to middle (the beginning was already written). As I wrote it backwards the rest of the book came to me.

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

Depends on the age. I started out wanting to be a gospel singer, then a fine artist (drawing), then a chef. By the time I was 13/14 I wanted to be a Broadway actor. By the time I left college I wanted to be a graphic designer.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Always remember to never judge yourself according to what people taught you. Your identity is in your fingerprint and no one can ever tech you how to be your fingerprint. That can only come from within. Because your fingerprint is unique and can never fit in, make sure you stay as unique as your fingerprint.

Thanks for being here today!

Interview with children's author Sunayna Prasad

Writer Sunayna Prasad joins me today to chat about her middle grade children’s fantasy, The Frights of Fiji.

During her virtual book tour, Sunayna will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:

Sunayna Prasad enjoys writing fantasy books for children, as well as cooking, creating artwork, watching online videos, and blogging. She has also written The Frights of Fiji, formerly titled as From Frights to Flaws. She is passionate about modern life, fantasy, and world-building. Aside from her website, sunaynaprasadbooks.com, she also has a blog about different creative and entertaining topics, including fiction and writing, called “Sunayna Prasad’s Blog”. Sunayna graduated from college in May 2017. She lives in Long Island, NY.

Please share a little bit about your current release.

The Frights of Fiji was published a year ago. It’s about a girl who is living with her harsh uncle, but is kidnapped to Fiji by a warlock. She has to defeat him in order to leave the nation.

What inspired you to write this book?

The “Harry Potter” series gave me a ton of inspiration. In fact, many readers have compared the book to “Harry Potter”. One character was even compared to Harry’s Aunt Petunia, who actually had no inspiration or influence behind that other character.

Excerpt from The Frights of Fiji:

About a half hour had gone by, and footsteps thumped down the stairs. Alyssa figured out that Mathias had returned via his flying tube since Isabelle had said that he owned one too. Alyssa turned to the staircase and watched him carry a small cage with about six or seven mice. They had white fur with patches of green, purple, red, and blue. Mathias also carried a bag of silver, gold, copper, metallic green, red, and blue fronds.

He entered the living room and sat on one of the couch chairs. He placed the cage on the carpet. But Isabelle bent her eyebrows. “Mathias, don’t put them on the carpet. They’re going to—”

“Isabelle, it’s okay. They’re in a cage.”

“Still, they’re filthy wild animals, and they could get my clean carpet dirty.”

“Oh, Isabelle, stop being such a neat freak,” said Mathias.

“No.” Isabelle turned to Simon, who sat on the other couch chair and listened to his WiPod. “Simon, can you track the snake, please?”

Simon took out his earbuds. “What did you want me track? I didn’t get that.”

Isabelle repeated herself, and Simon made his tablet appear. Alyssa watched him press it; he probably programmed a way to track the snake.

“Simon, how far away is the snake?” asked Alyssa.

“Erm . . . about a hundred feet away,” he replied.

“Oh my god,” moaned Alyssa.

“Let’s go,” said Isabelle.

Alyssa’s stomach hardened as she walked up the stairs. She could even feel her heart throb through her throat. She hurried her breathing and followed everyone else out of the tent.

Alyssa stepped onto the sand and saw something move. She gasped, her muscles constricting to her bones. Her hands shook and cooled down despite the burning sun. Tingles spread through her toes and fingers and expanded to the rest of her body. She whined through her contracted throat. She wished that what she saw was just a mirage. But the smell of the ash hanging in the air revealed to her that she didn’t just see things—the snake drew nearer.

It opened its jaw, exhaling light gray ash. It stuck out its pointy black tongue and pushed its head toward Alyssa, and she coughed. But it sped up its slithering. Alyssa screamed and spun around. She dashed along the beach, and her feet sped up, thus kicking the backs of her legs.

“Alyssa, get back here!” yelled Mathias. “I can’t disappear holding the cage or mice! It’s impossible doing both!”

But Alyssa continued to sprint across the beach. Sand streamed into her sneakers. Sweat even trickled into the neckline of her shirt and her legs.

Something scaly slapped her legs. She flew into the air and screamed. Her body fought against the direction of the breeze, and she landed on her butt.

She moaned and quickened up breaths through her gritted teeth. The snake continued to slither and release ash. Shrieking, Alyssa bolted up and turned around. She headed into the rainforest.

Facing vines, twigs, trees, bushes, and fronds, Alyssa found her way around them. Her legs ached from all the different movements she made. She ran sideways from a tree, jumped over a couple of twigs and vines, and zigzagged around trees and bushes. A trail even lay in front of her.

Alyssa’s thin legs and body kept her energy going, but her legs felt like they’d been clogged with broken cobblestones. The snake kept chasing her, though.

What exciting story are you working on next?

The third installment, which will hopefully be done by next month. It took about 4 years to complete, which is a long time for me.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

In my teens, but my writing didn’t please a lot of people until I was 19. I’m 26 now and my feedback from readers is far better now.

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?

Nope, I also work in an office, hang out with my friends, and cook. That being said, I also have a blog with different topics in the creative and entertainment categories.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I like to apply humor to it. As long as it’s believable, it’s acceptable.

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

Different things, ranging from pilot to zookeeper to baker.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I have recently launched a website about my books’ universe called magicalmissionsworld.com. It’s got details about the content and will gain more material soon.

Links:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Amazon

Thank you for being a guest on my blog!

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Interview with novelist Ben Gartner

Today’s special guest is author Ben Gartner. We’re chatting about his new middle grade novel The Eye of RA. It has a mix of time travel, historical fiction, and action adventure.

During his virtual book tour, Ben will be giving away a $30 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too.

Bio:

Ben Gartner is the author of adventure books for middle graders and thrillers for adults. His writing for both audiences shares an ability to grab readers by their neurons for a thrilling ride, maybe even teaching them something in the meantime. Ben can be found living and writing near the mountains with his wife and two boys.

Please share a little bit about your current release.

The Eye of RA is a time travel adventure about a brother and sister who are transported to ancient Egypt. They must overcome many challenges and work together…or be stuck in time forever.

What inspired you to write this book?
The Eye of RA was a collaboration between my two sons and me, dreaming up an adventure novel akin to the Magic Tree House series but for a slightly older audience (one Goodreads reviewer said, “…feels like a mature and better-researched Magic Treehouse. It is more sophisticated than that series...”). Working together with my kids through the fun of concepting a novel was the motivation – together time. But it grew and grew and we shared it with people who loved it and encouraged us to put it into the world.

Excerpt from The Eye of RA:

“Sarah, where are we?” John asked, frozen in place despite the heat. In front of them was a vast ocean of sand as far as the eye could see. It rolled in carved waves, dunes that sparkled in the low-slanting rays of the sun.

Dunes? John thought.

Sarah staggered forward, shielding her eyes from the glare. “I—I—”

It was rare for her to be speechless. And it was kind of spooky, her not saying anything and stepping forward with the jerky movements of a zombie.

“Are you okay?” John followed his sister out into the sand, suddenly very afraid to be even a foot away from her.

“Woo-hoo!” she shouted, jumping into the air in her signature move, arms shooting up in a V shape.

“You’re excited about this?” John snapped. “Sarah, how are we in a desert all of a sudden? Where’s the mountain? The cave?” The incredible moment tickled at his brain, and he couldn’t put two and two together. “Am I dreaming?”

“Yeah,” Sarah said. “Dreaming. We must be dreaming. Together.” She knelt into the sand, picked up a handful, and let it drain out of her fist. “This feels pretty real to me.” She turned around to John as she said it, so he could see the roll of her eyes.

“How could we be in the mountains in one moment and then . . .” He trailed off, watching Sarah’s eyes go up and her head tilt back, taking in something very large behind him. John wasn’t sure he wanted to turn around.

Sarah laughed, her face turned toward the sky, her hand covering her mouth. “So.” She took a full breath. “Cool!”

The curiosity got the better of him. John held his breath and rotated on his heels in the sand. He’d been stunned by the vast golden dunes, but what he saw now made him squeak out a chortle of disbelief.

“What—? How—? Is that—?” John stammered. His finger reached out, pointing to the scene as if maybe he could poke it, like it was a postcard of a giant pyramid and not a real one.

What exciting story are you working on next?
Well, this novel kind of snuck its way into my life. I was nearing the end of a draft of a thriller for adults when I took a hiatus from that project to work on The Eye of RA. So for the sake of completion, I’d like to finish that one. But the reception to RA has been so flatteringly positive that we do have some ideas for a #2 brewing… ;)

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Around the same time I could read. The two went hand in hand for me then, and still do today. I can’t have only one. I have to read and I have to write.

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 wish! I have a day job, so I write on nights and weekends and occasionally I’ll use a vacation day to log some real word count. It’s definitely tough to find time and I’m sure I could pump out a lot more if I could focus on it. It can be tiring trying to fit it all in, but it’s one of those FUN invigorating exercises that I can’t imagine my life without.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I need absolute quiet. Some people listen to music or can write on the train. Not me. I need to completely immerse my brain into the world I’m crafting to watch it unfold. Just getting to that spot of total envelopment can take 30 minutes, so my preferred block of time to write is a minimum of two hours.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A creator. Several careers that touched on that general theme, but the one I got most serious about was to be a movie director. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas were my heroes.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Third through fifth grade were such a pivotal time in my personal life. And I think, for many people, it’s the era for which we really first start to retain memories. It’s also a time of profound brain development and the perfect season of our lives for imagination to push our own boundaries of perception. I hope my books stir creativity in young minds.

Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Ebook buy page | Indiebound | BookBub | Amazon | Nook

Thank you for being a guest on my blog!

Thank you for having me! The Eye of RA is on sale now wherever books are sold!

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Interview with paranormal romance author R.W. Buxton

Novelist R.W. Buxton is here today to chat with me about his new paranormal romance, Capital Thirst.

During his virtual book tour, RW will be giving away a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too.

Welcome, R.W. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I love a good paranormal read, something about the un-dead haunts the fringes of my mind. Mix in romance, love, loss, and you have a great story.

I voraciously read everything, fiction, and non-fiction but always find myself turning back to the darker stories. I’ve always wanted to write and the dream became a reality with Capital Thirst, and the remainder of the Erin Kingsly novels.

I spend most of my days designing and building websites, but my free time is devoted to my wife, family, and cats. Yes, three grown children and three cats. Things can be hectic.

For fun you might find me driving winding roads with the top down or out photographing nature.

Please share a little bit about your current release.
Capital Thirst is a paranormal romance based on Erin, a lonely female vampire with a horrific life story. She compensates by killing wealthy men intent on taking advantage of women. That is until she meets Gerry. He’s different and she finds herself drawn to him. Only her charms that usually have men swooning at her feet have no impact on him. She finds herself in uncharted territory.

Gerry, a widowed FBI agent is more concerned about leading a task force of local law enforcement agencies searching for a serial killer that is preying on DC’s rich and powerful, and raising his young daughter. A new romance is the furthest thing from his mind.

A chance meeting causes their worlds to collide in unexpected ways. Gerry faces questions he would rather not answer and Erin is forced to consider her past and actions that have led her to her current position.

What inspired you to write this book?
I love reading about the paranormal, creatures of the night. Of course, the majority of this ends up being paranormal romance. I wanted to write something that would be a little different. Not the damsel that falls in love with the sexy vampire, but a strong female vampire trying to find her way in life. Three hundred years is a long time to live hanging on to old anger and hatred.

I wanted to explore things like can we get over old wounds. Can people change their basic nature? Are people inherently evil? All while creating a romance between two unlikely people.

Also, I wanted to pay back something to the world. All the authors that have come before me and allowed me to escape into their worlds. I wanted to give that back to others.

Excerpt from Capital Thirst:

Lullaby

Erin placed Mary back in the crib. A sigh escaped her lips, and her arms hung limply at her sides. Erin felt her chest tighten. What could she do to change things? She was a vampire. There was no going back.

She was a killer. No matter how much she wanted to be a mother, she was nothing more than a vengeful killer, and she needed to remember that before she hurt someone.

Gerry touched her elbow then led the way downstairs.

“She was so comfortable with you. You must love children.”

“She’s beautiful. You’ve no idea how lucky you are. I would give my life to have a child.” Erin’s voice broke as she tried to speak.

Shocked, Gerry stopped and turned. “You’re young enough, nothing is stopping you.”

“Just this condition I have.” Now it was Erin’s turn to be sad. She fought back the tears.

“I need to go.” She needed to leave before tears ran down her cheeks. Her whole body ached for the chance to have a child, and she was denied that for eternity.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m working on the second book in the Erin Kingsly series. I’m excited to say their story continues. This is different from the first in that most of the story is from Gerry’s point of view. He finds himself struggling with his feelings for Erin. Question his core beliefs. But regardless of his questions he knows he loves her and will do anything to save her life. Oh yeah she’s missing and maybe already dead.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I don’t. I feel uncomfortable saying I’m an author. I say things like I’ve written a book but using the author word is intimidating. Tolkien was an author; Agatha Christie was an author. At best I think of myself as a writer. Maybe if I sold a bazilion copies and people said, “Oh there’s that Buxton guy, he’s an author,” I might start to think of myself in those terms. But honestly that’s not my goal. I want people to be entertained by my work and escape the realities of life just for a little while. Maybe even have them think a little about the underlying themes that run throughout the book. But until then I’m just 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 don’t write full-time, although that is a dream. Maybe when I retire. My days are spent developing websites. I guess you could say that’s writing just in another language for computers.

I try to write every day. Although when I’m editing something as I am now it’s far more challenging. I don’t enjoy that part nearly as much. Usually when I first get up around 4:00 I’ll do a little and then while I’m sitting at Starbucks before work, I’ll write some. I stopped writing at lunch because I would get too wrapped up and forget to start working again. I try to wrap up my evenings and fit more in. It’s much easier now since my children have either moved out or are off at college. Prior to that I would wait until they were in bed and then write.

 
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I dream about my characters. When I’m in the middle of a new novel I have vivid dreams about what they do, and conversations they have with each other and me. I’ll be honest some if it’s just crazy and doesn’t make any sense, but some ends up in my writing.

The characters become very real and have thoughts of their own I suppose.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A college history professor. I wanted to get a PhD in History. Of course, my parents thought I was crazy and they weren’t about to pay for that so I ended up being a programmer. I’m a firm believer in a strong liberal arts education. Even though I have a BS I tried to always fit in as many English and History classes as I could.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Be bold and pursue your dreams. Life slips away faster than we think. If you don’t grab your dream today it will be gone tomorrow.

Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Thank you for being a guest on my blog!

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Interview with romance author Trisha Harley McCarthy

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Author Trisha Harley McCarthy is here today and we’re chatting about her sports romance novel, On Ice, A Hockey Romance.

During her virtual book tour, Trisha will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
Trisha Harley McCarthy is a certified Life Coach and prolific romance author specializing in fantasy, paranormal and contemporary genres.

Loving history, Trisha was captivated by being introduced to historical romance then became enamored with contemporary romance novels. Coming across fan-fiction and falling in love with the concept, Trisha began writing stories about characters in her favorite movie, Bridget Jones's Diary. After receiving several positive reviews, she caught the writing bug and published her first standalone novel, Just As He Is, A Romance in 2012 followed by the Astral Realm Series, Written Among the Stars and the sequel, Beneath the Stars released in 2014.

In 2015, release of Dimensions, a paranormal romance novel featuring other world encounters takes the readers on a fantastic journey of ordinary collides with extraordinary. Also, in a new direction, Trisha also wrote Indescribably Blue, a fictional account based on Elvis Presley's death hoax conspiracy.

On a personal note, Trisha resides in Independence, Oregon with her husband Michael and their rescued chocolate lab, Elle. In her spare time, Trisha loves spending time on social media, travelling and reading her favorite authors!

Please share a little bit about your current release.

On Ice follows the relationship of Zoe Simmons and Ki Connery. Zoe is the assistant to the general manager of the NHL team The San Jose Otters. Ki is the star defenseman and team captain. Their wedding day is called off and they both go their separate ways and Ki is traded to the Detroit Steels. Fast forward three later, in a shocking player trader, Ki is back in San Jose and back in Zoe’s world. They discover the truth about the wedding being called off and a looming scandal about to hit the tabloids. The story unfolds as Ki and Zoe discover the truth of their parting. This is a book about lost love, betrayal, forgiveness and love conquers all.

What inspired you to write this book?
I read my first hockey romance a few years back and got hook. Maria Luis’s The Blades Series inspired me to write On Ice.

Excerpt from On Ice:

Ki smiled and closed the distance between us. The heat from his body sent shivers up my spine. He reached out and tucked a wayward piece of hair behind my ear. My knees went weak, and the lack of pouncing prowess was probably the only thing that kept me from throwing myself at him. I was sure he had lots of eager puck bunnies at his beck and call. All he had to do, was crook his finger, and they would come running. My gaze landed on his sensual lips, curved into a hint of a smile. I wondered what they would feel like against mine. He pulled back and the spell was broken.

“Would you consider going out with me sometime?” he asked.

Who—wha— ? I nodded mutely, shocked by the turn of events.

“Is that a yes, Zoe?” My name rolled off his tongue like fine wine—smooth and heady. Fire shot through my veins. Before I could stop myself, my mind was drifting in and out of fantasies involving me and that tongue of his.

“Yes, Ki, I’ll go out with you.” I blinked rapidly.

He pecked my cheek. “I’ll be in touch.”

What exciting story are you working on next?
I am currently working on two romance suspense thrillers. One about a couple who break it off after trying desperately to conceive. The title is Taboo.

The second title is The Staircase in the Woods. It’s about a serial killer survivor who finds out the serial killer is still on the hunt laced with a supernatural theme. In the fall of 2020, I am putting together a dark romance anthology with other authors.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

That’s a great question! This newest release On Ice is receiving a lot of buzz. After releasing several books, I feel I am coming into my own as an author. It’s an exciting feeling!

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I do not work full time. I just received a part time gig as a brand ambassador and I also do dog daycare in addition to being a life coach and blog talk radio podcaster. Currently my writing is on hold while I market and promote On Ice. Soon, I will begin writing and completing Taboo.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I must listen to Nickelback while writing.

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

An ice skater.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Thank you for having me on your blog and I hope you’ll read my books! Happy New Year!

Links:

Website | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | Twitter

Buy links:

Barnes and Noble | Amazon | Kobo

On Ice will be $0.99 during the tour.

Thank you for being my guest today!

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