Spotlight: The FunGkins

 

Blurb:

The FunGkins

Book I

   With the evil Leprechauns (The Shangaar) hot on their trail, who would ever guess that the fate of the littlest people would fall on the shoulders of a 10-year-old human girl named Clara Gooday? Her unwavering belief in the Littlest People may be the very thing that saves The FunGkins and all of Halladon from a fate worse than death.

   
But first, she will have to deal with the seven foot tall evil Mr. Mustashio; he is one hundred and fifty years old but doesn’t look a day over forty. Working for the evil Shangaar, he has moved into the funeral home next door, masquerading as an undertaker. But why have he and his sly talking dog Snodsty come to town?  

   Clara is sure Mr. Mustashio is evil and is out to capture The FunGkins. With her trusty magic telescope in hand; she can become invisible at will. Armed with her bag of tricks, it’s her plan to watch every move the tall skinny man and his talking dog make.

   Clara Gooday lives in Pirate’s Cove a small town on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Several strangers (fairies) have move to town. With their bird-like names and features, they are even stranger looking. Some are good while others are pure evil. They all came to Pirate’s Cove the day Clara was born. But for what reason have they come?  Who is Clara really?  What secret does she hold? What if she’s the key to the legend foretold?    

   Clara has many questions, but when she meets Jack One and Jack Two (FunGkins) she and her Aunt Tilly are shrunken down to size and whisked off to the magical world of Mushroom Valley. There all of her questions will be answered.

   Accompanied by her Aunt Tilly who’s a school teacher, Clara’s journey will take you on a roller coaster ride of adventure. One where there are so many twists and turns that there are just too many to mention here. So if it’s a thrilling adventure you have been looking for; buckle your seat belt and hold on tight for this is a ride you can enjoy all day and all through the night.  

Author’s Bio:
C. Raymond Gray 

He’s one of twenty children; for as long as he can remember Mr. Gray has had an interest in the wild and mysteries of the forest. As a boy, at times he’d play all day in the woods, while observing the ways of animals. He became amazed at how nature worked together. This fueled his vivid imagination as he grew. What he learned enables him to weave the most amazing tales. Over the years his stories have blossomed into many wondrous tales. He has been: an athlete, teacher, poet, inventor, storyteller, business-man, now an author. However, of these storytelling is his favorite. Often times he can be seen in classrooms or on stage, telling stories of folklore about history’s legends and the days of old. To date, his stories have been enjoyed by thousands of students, parents, and teachers alike. At their request, he has brought “The FunGkins” his first book to life. To contact Mr. Gray send email to crgray@azebrapress.com    

 Book Details

·       Paperback: 346 pages 28 Chapters

·       Publisher: AZebraPress.com (October 15, 2014)

·       Language: English

·       ISBN-10: 0615921574

·       ISBN-13: 978-0615921570

     Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches

Preferred Links

www.azebrapress.com  

https://twitter.com/thefungkins

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-FunGkins/ 

Author Interview: Megan Tayte

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

With two children, a busy business and several books to edit/publish/promote, I don’t get a lot of down time in an average day, but I try to chill with my kids before their bedtime – stories, games, bathtime, snuggles. Then later in the evening, after another session at my desk, I get stuck into whatever boxset I’m working through, with, if I’m being good, chocolate-coated rice cakes or, if I’m not being good, just chocolate! Then I read until late in bed, which is my ultimate way to unwind. I plan regular breaks from the routine too – walks in parks, meals out, holidays by the sea.

If I’m feeling stressed, I go to the university campus near my house. Years ago, when I was a student there and lived on campus, I’d walk around it daily – it’s huge, and green, and full of flowers and benches with great views, plus there’s a large lake and a cafe that serves up great cream teas. These days, I try to go at least twice a month. Some days I write there, in the library. Some days I hole up in the hotel, which is arty and very calming. Some days I take the kids and we go exploring – we found a great secluded summerhouse once that you get to by climbing a rockery, and now we go there for biscuit-and-orange-squash picnics.

Do you plot out your stories first or just start writing to see where it goes?

A mixture of both. I plan books pretty carefully, but then I give myself permission to go with the flow as I write as well. Sometimes I end up discarding the material I write on a deviation (I cut a full chapter from Death Wish in which I killed off a major character because when I read it back it felt all wrong – and too harrowing); sometimes I love the new course and follow it all the way. The Ceruleans series is twisting and turning – some of those were planned, some were gifts of the muse.

What has been the most rewarding part of being an author?

For me, the writing itself is ultimate reward – I love writing; I feel like I’m most myself when writing. But I also love connecting with readers. And I really love the little launch parties my family throws when I release a new book. Sounds swanky, right? Not at all! I let my son (age six) plan everything, which results in cake, candles, balloons, indoor sparklers, cheesy party tunes and (essential launch party kit) animal masks. I don’t think publishing gets more fun than trying to ingest chocolate cake through a penguin mask. 

What is a challenging part about being a writer?

The way it consumes me. When I’m in the concept, first draft and rewrite stages, the story takes me over. I love the feeling, but it can make focusing in other areas of my life tricky. The day job becomes more challenging, and at times I find I’m washing up/cooking/building Lego towers/finger-painting with the kids in a dreamy haze. At its worst, that can mean slightly charred dinners and Technicoloured children. Thankfully, my family is very understanding!

Are you currently working on any projects?

I just published the second book in the Ceruleans series, Forget Me Not, and I’m busy editing the remaining three books for publication. Then I’ll be starting work on my next novel. I intend to repeat the process ad infinitum; I learnt many years ago when I wrote my very first book that there will always have to be a next one. It’s a way of being for me, and a very happy one.

If you could be any animal for a day what would it be and why?

A tapir. It’s been my favourite animal since I first saw one at a zoo in my early twenties. I’m slightly obsessed with this much-overlooked animal, to the point that I just had to work one in to the second Ceruleans book, Forget Me Not. I guess I can’t help rooting for the underdog – in this case, undertapir…

About the book:

IN SEARCH OF THE MEANING OF DEATH, SHE’LL FIND THE MEANING OF LIFE.
The Ceruleans: mere mortals infused with power over life and death. Five books; one question: If
the might of the heavens were in your hands, would you be sinner or saint?
Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Blake is haunted by death. Her estranged sister has made the ultimate dramatic exit. Running away from school, joining a surfing fraternity, partying hard: that sounds like Sienna. But suicide? It makes no sense.
Following in her sister’s footsteps, Scarlett comes to the isolated cove of Twycombe, Devon, with grand plans to uncover the truth. Alone. But she hasn’t reckoned on meeting two boys who are determined to help her. Luke: the blue-eyed surfer who’ll see the real Scarlett, who’ll challenge her, who’ll save her. And Jude: the elusive drifter with a knack for turning up whenever Scarlett’s in need.
As Scarlett’s quest for the truth unravels, so too does her grip on reality as she’s always known it. Because there’s something strange going on in this little cove. A dead magpie circles the skies. A dead deer watches from the undergrowth. Hands glow with light. Warmth. Power.
What transpires is a summer of discovery. Of what it means to conquer fear. To fall in love. To choose life. To choose death.
To believe the impossible.

Author Bio:

Once upon a time a little girl told her grandmother that when she grew up she wanted to be a writer. Or a lollipop lady. Or a fairy princess fireman. 'Write, Megan,' her grandmother advised. So that's what she did.

Thirty-odd years later, Megan writes the kinds of books she loves to read: young-adult paranormal romance fiction. Young adult, because it's the time of life that most embodies freedom and discovery and first love. Paranormal, because she's always believed that there are more things in heaven and on earth than are dreamt of in our philosophy. And romance, because she's a misty-eyed dreamer who lives for those 'life is so breathtakingly beautiful' moments.

Megan grew up in the Royal County, a hop, skip and a (very long) jump from Windsor Castle, but these days she makes her home in Robin Hood's county, Nottingham. She lives with her husband, a proud Scot who occasionally kicks back in a kilt; her son, a budding artist with the soul of a paleontologist; and her baby daughter, a keen pan-and-spoon drummer who sings in her sleep. When she's not writing, you'll find her walking someplace green, reading by the fire, or creating carnage in the kitchen as she pursues her impossible dream: of baking something edible.

Social media links

Author Website

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Buy links 

Amazon (UK)

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Spotlight: Hearts on Fire

The blurb:

A warrior, a prince, a legend…

An unknown story of two sisters and how fate entwined them both to love the same man.

His name has been whispered into legend as Impaler. Before he was the legend, he was Vlad conquering more than Turks but hearts. He unexpectedly met and fell in love with two sisters. What he didn’t realize was that he would not be able to live without either of them.

A story of love, passion, war, betrayal, and murder.

When twin sisters, Erdenia and Erzsébet meet Vlad Drakul, they would never  realize how their world would be turned upside down. Vlad wants to find a bride, but how will he choose between the sisters when he has fallen in love with them both? Could it be possible for him to fall in love with both women equally? Would the sisters be able to live with his decision? Watch as this love triangle spins a new story about Vlad and the two women he loved.

KCL Publishing is a small Indie Press and they are the publisher. www.kclpublishing.com

Genre: Romance 

Sub-genre: Romance/Historical

Sub-genre: Romance/Historical/Medieval

Length: 73410 words or 296 pages

Author & Publisher links:

Publisher link: www.kclpublishing.com

Publisher Blog: http://kclpublishing.tumblr.com

Rayna Kingston Twitter: http://twitter.com/rayna_kingston

Rayna Kingston Blog: http://raynakingston.tumblr.com

Rayna Kingston on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13485414.Rayna_Kingston

Helena Lancaster Twitter: http://twitter.com/helenalwrites

Helena Lancaster Blog: http://helenalwrites.tumblr.com

Helena Lancaster on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13467575.Helena_Lancaster

Contact email: kingstonandlancasterbooks@gmail.com

Other Book links:

Preview link: http://kclpublishing.tumblr.com/post/110864419890/hearts-on-fire-the-story-of-vlad-the-impaler-and

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24892026-hearts-on-fire

Smashwords link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/520865

Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hearts-on-fire-rayna-kingston/1121283283?ean=2940046593891

Our webshop link: http://kingstonandlancasterbooks.selz.com

Rayna's Bio:

Rayna is a resident of South Carolina. She lives with her daughter, sister, and their cats. She has been writing poetry and lyrics for over 20 years. She is currently a graduate student at Ashford University where she is obtaining her Master’s in Education focusing on English Language Learners, Special Education, and Culturally Responsive Learning. She has one published poem she wrote about her daughter. Hearts on Fire: The Story of Vlad the Impaler and the Women He Loved is her first professionally published work. She has poetry and novel projects in the works to be released at a later date.

Helena's Bio:

Helena Lancaster is a twenty-six year old native of the upstate region of South Carolina, where she still lives with her sisters and their cats. She has been writing since she was a child, and poetry became a major focus of her writing in her teenage years. She is currently a student at Southern New Hampshire University working on completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Creative Writing. Her first professional publication was a poetry anthology titled Behind the Mask. She has co-written Hearts on Fire: The Story of Vlad the Impaler and the Women He Loved with her close friend Rayna Kingston. She has several other novel projects in the works with plans to release more poetry in the near future

Author Interview: Matthew Bridle

When did you first know you wanted to write? 
When I was in primary school we were given a Wade Whimsy, a small china ornament, in my case a cat. I called her Katy and wrote about her adventure, two exercise books later I finally finished. Since then it’s never gone away. Now I have to write or I get a bit cranky.
What works of Literature/Art/Music have influenced your writing?
Too many to list. I can get inspired by a song title, some chapters in Young Warlock are such. Another example of what can inspire would be the recent movie: Horns. There is a scene where the camera follows the actors through a sun streaked woods. For a brief moment the light catches a thin branch draped in moss, from that instance I created a whole chapter in my new novel just to feature that one branch.

How did you come up with the idea for your book? 
About 20 years ago, when I had writing fever and zero editing I wrote four novels back to back. One of which was King of Kings, a future fantasy written in the style of the King James Bible. Emun, Lo and Dorn were three character from that story who one day invaded my thinking on train from Manchester to London. When I got home I started writing Emun of Mor which I later edited until it became The End of Mor. I then rewrote that novel with 50% totally new content and Young Warlock was born. 

Could you talk a bit about what the publication process was like for you? 
Wow, not very good really. I lack the confidence to promote myself to agents and publishers, I have tried and still do. The hope of a mainstream publishing deal still gnaws at me. Emun of Mor was published by an indie press but sadly they ceased to be. So I hunted around and tried Smashwords, Lulu and Createspace. Along the way I learned how to create ebooks and iron out the faults in them. I’ve helped other authors to get their work out there too, sharing what I know. Having been a graphic designer for 15 years helped quite a bit.
One piece of advice I would offer: Make it shine. Polish your work as best you can then get others to check it over – not friends. Then get an editor before you self-published or send it to an agent. The world is full of great stories lost in bad writing of which I have been very guilty.

Are you currently working on any new projects? 
Yes. I am 60 000 words into the sequel: Fire and Thorn. I publish updates on my blog www.theonesaga.blogspot.com. Do drop by, maybe you could do a guest post?

If you could be any person for a day alive, dead, or fictional, who would it be, and what would you do?
There was man called Smith Wigglesworth, from Bradford UK. He died not long after the Second World War. He began life as plumber until midway through his life he began to preach the Gospel and saw many recoded miracles. I would love to spend a day being either him or around him.

In three sentences or less, why should people read your book?
If you like broad sprawling worlds filled with imperfect characters and mystical monsters. Lands rich in lore and diverse cultures each with their own problems and histories. If you finished Harry Potter and are not yet ready for Lord of the Ring then try Young Warlock it will feel like an old friend showing you something new.


About Matthew:
Mathew Bridle has written 6 novels one of which, Emun of Mor was published by an indie publisher, Vamplit Publishing. He resides in West Sussex where he spends his spare time exploring the magical realm of his fantasy saga the first of which is available at most online retailers.

Nowadays he spends his time writing the sequel to Young Warlock, Fire and Thorn as the nextl installment of this epic saga. When not writing he likes to relax with his Kindle, most likely reading either a classic fantasy or something from a new indie author. 
Young Warlock on Amazon

Guest Post and Giveaway: Jonathan Ferrara

Guest Post

Growing up as an Italian Catholic I always knew about the Seven Deadly Sins. They terrified me down to my very core. Going to church every Sunday, several years as an alter boy, I found myself drifting away from mass and imagining different magical creatures as the Guardians of the individual sins. Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride as the Princes of Hell with a twist. Where did they come from? How did the Seven Deadly Sins originate? As a teenager that was how I spent my days in church, imagining adventures based off the stories I was being taught. I know, kind of morbid, but I was a happy child. I was just fascinating by two very different subjects, religion and fantasy. That was how "The Blackwell Family Secret: the Guardians of Sin" began.

Nicholas Blackwell is a sixteen-year-old boy who has spent the last nine years of his life at St. Christopher's Academy boarding school plagued with the painful memory of the night his parents were murdered. Life seems as good as it will ever get, uneventful, boring, Catholic school. That is, until an old serpent lures Nicholas into the woods and tricks him into eating the forbidden fruit to unleash the Guardians of the Seven Deadly Sins. 

Alongside Amy, his new friend, Nicholas is swallowed into the City of Demons; a dark, whimsical world filled with mayhem. There is only one way back to St. Christopher's Academy; Nicholas and Amy have to stop Armageddon from happening by containing the Guardians of Sin into the Devil's Crown. They follow the old serpent through the dark city, finding first a lustful vampire, a starving troll, and a greedy little leprechaun hoarding all demon gold. One by one the sins are revealed, leading Nicholas closer to his family's dark secret found by none other then the King of Demons himself -- Lucifer. 

Jonathan L. Ferrara Bio

Jonathan L. Ferrara was born in San Pedro, California to an Italian fisherman and a mother from New York. Growing up with one older brother, Jonathan had several hobbies: finding the best hiding spots to jump out and scare his mother, discovering new fantasy book series, and  imagining outrageous, whimsical worlds full of magic. He is now happily married, residing in California in the City of Angels. He has two wonderful children—his dog Koda and cat Merlin.

His author’s website is www.JonathanLFerrara.com

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Book Description

Nicholas Blackwell has no idea he is supposed to fulfill a destiny. All he knows is that he draws trouble like a magnet. Orphaned at seven when two demonic men killed his parents, he copes with the strict rules of his new home, St. Christopher’s academy, unaware that he has been the real target for the killers and that his guardian angel has saved him in the nick of time. And now, his problems are only beginning when a mysterious serpent lures him into the woods and tricks him into a demonic ritual that will unleash the Seven Deadly Sins to destroy the humankind. Nicholas has no choice but to correct his mistake--or die trying.

Aided by Amy, a shy but determined girl who seems to know more about his task than she should, Nicholas's quest is to travel into the City of Demonio and defeat the Seven Guardians of Sin. To succeed, he must confront demons, monsters, and lost souls, learn the mysteries of the Chapel of Dreams, discover the true meaning of friendship and love, and face the darkest secret of all: the Blackwell Family Secret.

Blog Tour Stop: Vanished From Dust

Book blurb and cover

 Title: Vanished From Dust

Author: Shea Norwood

Genre: YA Paranormal Mystery

A CHILL RUNS THROUGH HIS SKIN AS THE PHANTOM APPEARS.

HE SEES THEM EVERYWHERE . . .

Eric Stark is not insane. Or at least he doesn’t think so. He wishes everyone in Dust, Texas, felt the same way. But that’s not going to happen since the whole town thinks he’s crazy. Why didn’t he keep his mouth shut?

No one understands. Eric is alone as he battles his sanity in a town of tormenters. Suddenly a new friendship emerges after the new kid, Kyle Barrett, moves to town.

Eric reluctantly reveals his secret. Is it a curse or a gift? He isn’t certain, but with Kyle by his side he finds the courage to seek the truth.

They soon realize that something sinister is descending on the residents of Dust.

Is it caused by Eric’s phantoms or is it something else? Is it connected to the mysterious death of hundreds of townspeople over sixty years ago? One thing is certain—only Eric and Kyle can save them.

They set out on a heart-pounding adventure and find themselves transported to a disturbed and deserted version of their small southern town. They quickly discover that this new world has mysteries of its own to uncover. What they find could prove more than they bargained for, and it only leads to more questions. Eric and Kyle must face a horrifying fact—they may never get out alive.

“We’re gonna die here,” Kyle muttered.

 “I don’t believe that,” Eric said. “And neither do you.”

Will they survive their encounter with these dark and mysterious beings?

Will they find a way back home?

Or will they be lost forever?

The Vanished from Dust series is perfect for anyone who craves a hair-raising thriller packed with mystery and suspense. This paranormal story for young adults can be compared to Stand by Me, mixed with Odd Thomas, and a twist of The Dark Tower.

Author Bio

 Shea Norwood is a West Texas native that currently lives in the DFW area with his wife and son. He's an avid reader and enjoys the craft of writing. The fictional town of Dust is loosely based on a small town south of Odessa, TX. 

Links

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1mVJSre

FB: http://on.fb.me/1pxjF3Q

Twitter: @sheanorwood

Giveaway

There is a tour-wide giveaway for a $25 Amazon gift card.

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Excerpt:

“I’m not crazy,” Eric Stark shouted at the crowd of seventh graders as they surrounded him. He looked up from the ground, which consisted of patches of grass and dirt, to see the sunlight glinting off of the metal braces of a girl with pigtails as she pointed and laughed with the rest of them. Another boy kicked him in the stomach, causing him to retreat into a fetal position to guard against another blow. “Oh yeah?” Greg Coffey asked as he towered over Eric. His lip was curled, showing his crooked, heavily stained teeth. “What happened last week in class? You said, ‘They’re watching me.’ Remember that, loser?”

“I didn’t say that.” Eric tried to get up, but Greg pushed him back down and kicked dirt in his face. Eric rubbed his burning eyes with both hands. When he opened them he saw four more kids sneering over him, all laughing at his expense. Where was a teacher when you needed one? The hot Texas sun was high on the horizon, almost blinding him as he stared back at his tormentors. Sweat was pouring from his brow, mixing with the tears that streamed down his face.

“Yeah you did,” Adam Marshall said with a smirk. “You’re going off the rails, crazy train.”

“I like that—crazy train. Just like the song,” Greg said. He laughed and gave Adam a high five. “That’s your new name. Like it?” Greg kicked another pile of dirt at Eric. Eric tried to spit it out, but his entire face was covered in a muddy film. He wished that he’d just kept his mouth shut about it, but it was too late now. News traveled fast in a small town, and he was sure everyone thought he was insane by now.

He didn’t know what he was.

“Leave him alone,” a kid said. He leaned over to help Eric to his feet. “I don’t like bullies.”

“Stay out of it, new kid.” Greg said and gave him a scowling stare. “Or what?” The kid got closer.

“Let’s go,” Adam said. “There’s a teacher coming.” He slapped Greg on the shoulder. “This ain’t over,” Greg said as he walked away.

“Thanks,” Eric said.

“I’m Kyle Barrett,” the kid said, extending his hand. Eric shook it. “Did you just move here?”

“Yeah, this is my first day,” Kyle said. “It’s hard being the new kid. No one talks to you.”

“No one talks to me either, except to make fun of me,” Eric said.