Interview in front of the Coffee Klatch in the town of Moon Watchers

photo provided by Sandra Cox

Interviewer, bundled into a hooded parka standing in front of Moon Watchers shivers as she speaks into mike:   “We’re hoping to get an interview with Jolene Sayre, werewolf hunter.” She looks around. “This seems to be the town hangout hopefully we’ll catch up with her here.” A middle-aged man hurries toward the door. Interviewer sticks her mike in his face. “Sir, do you know Jolene Sayre?”
Man looks at her suspiciously. “Are you a reporter?”

Interviewer: “Well sort of. I interview celebrities and other intriguing people. So do you know Jolene Sayer?” Sticks mike back in his face.
Man: “Name doesn’t sound familiar.”

Interviewer: “I don’t think she’s been in town all that long.”
Man: “Did she inherit the old Daly place?” 

Interviewer: “I really don’t know.” 
Man looks at her disapprovingly. “Seems to me you should have done your homework.” 

Interviewer blushes but perseveres: “So you don’t know her?” 
Man: “She’s probably the young woman who inherited Alma’s place. I hear she’s a bit of a loner.” 

Interviewer leans forward and shoves the mike back in man’s face: “Did you know she’s a werewolf hunter?” 
Man’s eyes narrow. “Is she now?”

Interviewer: “Why would she come to Moon Watchers?”
Man: “Why indeed.” This time he leans forward, his expression menacing. “You probably don’t want to be in Moon Watchers after sundown.” 

Interviewer takes a step back: “Why not?” 

Man curls his lip in a snarl and walks away. ~ 

Interviewer looks nervously at cameraman. “Let’s wait in the van.”

~*~

Excerpt: 

I woke with a start to find myself coated in sweat. Drool ran out of the corner of my mouth as I fought the comforter wrapped around me. I pushed up on my elbow and squinted at the alarm. The bright red digits showed four fifty-five a.m. I untangled the heavy coverlet, put my bare feet on the cold wood floor and staggered to the window and looked out.

Forty feet away, a beautiful white wolf stared back at me. Unease crawled up my spine like a poisonous spider. It would have been a beautiful picture, the petite white wolf standing in the glistening snow against the deep blue backdrop, if it hadn’t been for the animal’s gleaming red eyes.

The Were threw back its head and howled. If I’d ever heard a warning, this was it. I watched frozen in place. In the distance, I heard one or two responses. The white wolf looked me in the eye, drew back its lips and snarled out a challenge. 

“Okay, you unholy creature of the damned, bring it on,” I muttered. I ran back to the bed, grabbed the gun loaded with silver bullets that I always kept in my bedside table and hurried back to the window.

I raised the pane in open invitation. The creature raced straight at me, as I knew it would. Its tongue hung out, red eyes glowed, legs stretched wide as it ran. As the Were drew nearer, I raised the gun and took aim. At the last minute it swerved, finally aware of the danger. It yelped as the bullet hit its foreleg. It turned and limped back into the woods. I fired again but it was gone.

Contest
I’ll be running a contest from Jan 15 and Feb 2. The winner will be announced Feb 5. To enter just leave a comment at www.downtownya.blogspot.com and mention Moon Watchers and Sherry Gloag. 

What do you win?
*An autographed copy of Moon Watchers
*A Starbucks gift certificate
*And a fun necklace that has a protective cross to protect against creatures of the night, a blood drop stone to remind shape-shifters you are protected and a star since our winner will be the star of the contest.

Moon Watchers can be purchased at www.classactbooks.com

Come back tomorrow for ~ Interviewer at Coffee Klatch continued

Beth Trissel talks about her chosen genres.

Today Beth Trissel tells us why she's chosen to cross genres in her books.  Thank you for joining us at THoR today, Beth. :-)

Many authors wisely choose a genre and stick with it. Most master a specific time period, such as the Regency romance world, and set up camp there. Not me. Like a restless spirit, I wander about visiting various places, even time travel to land in some of them. Writing would be far easier if I’d stay put, but not, I expect, as much fun. So I write both historical, with varying time periods and settings, and light paranormal romance, generally with a time travel or ghost in the fantasy meld.

In Daughter of the Wind, I even ventured into the shape shifting realm with a bearwalking Shawnee warrior. Depending upon whom you consult among the Shawnee, they may not consider this to be ‘fantasy’ but an actual ability some of their people possess, or used to in ages past. Daughter of the Wind also has a magical moonstone necklace which I wish I could’ve kept, but the novel sucked that prize in and won’t let me have it back. Bummer.
I can understand why you wanted to keep it, I love moonstone. :-)

Light paranormal romance Somewhere My Lass was a departure for me in that I also wove kewl sci-fi stuff into this Scottish time travel. My paranormals require the same research I’d do for a historical because there are other time periods to explore, and then the added contemplation involved in otherworldly elements, so they are not easy, but enjoyable in a challenging way. I admit to gleaning inspiration from some of the movies I’ve seen, and a few stories I’ve read, but I do have an occasional original thought, more than I’m sometimes given credit for.

To further explore my latest light paranormal release, here’s the blurb and excerpt from Somewhere My Lass. For more on me, my blog is the happening place: https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/

Blurb:
Neil MacKenzie's well ordered life turns to chaos when Mora Campbell shows up claiming he's her fiance from 1602 Scotland. Her avowal that she was chased to the future by clan chieftain, Red MacDonald, is utter nonsense, and Neil must convince her that she is just addled from a blow to her head--or so he believes until the MacDonald himself shows up wanting blood.

Mora knows the Neil of the future is truly her beloved Niall who disappeared from the past. Although her kinsmen believe he's dead, and she is now destined to marry Niall's brother, she's convinced that if she and Neil return to the past, all will be right. The only problem is how to get back to 1602 before it's too late.

The balance of the present and future are in peril if she marries another, and the Neil of the present will cease to exist. An ancient relic and a few good friends in the future help pave the way back to the past, but will Mora and Neil be too late to save a love that began centuries before?

Excerpt:
“You are a beauty.” His words were a hoarse whisper.
The rise and fall of her chest betrayed a deep inhalation of breath. A flicker of reproach lit her eyes. 
“I dinna think ye took heed of me at all.”
He winced at the well-deserved jab. “About before, I’m sorry I left you so suddenly. But there’s no earthly way I could fail to notice you. I’d have to be deaf, dumb, and blind and even then…”
The tension in her face eased and then the hurt returned. “Oh, aye? How could ye forget all ye knew?” 
He remained as he was, threading that wealth of hair through his fingers. Again, the rational part of him argued, “Is it possible you’re imagining you knew me before?”
She balked, a mutinous glint in her eyes. “Nae.”
He slid his hand to the finely crafted silver chain at her throat and coaxed the coverlets further down.
A slight gasp escaped her lips. He muted any outward response to the thrill running through him. 
The scooped neckline of her nightgown revealed the tops of white breasts sprinkled with freckles. Above this heart-hammering sight hung the crucifix. “I gave this to you?” he managed to ask without betraying the swell of emotion surging inside him.
“At our betrothal.”

Giveaway

Let's throw a giveaway into this. 

A winner chosen from among those who leave comments between the 8th and 11th of Jan

 gets a digital copy of Somewhere My Lass.

Beth will choose a winner on the evening (her time) of Tuesday 11th January

Facebook Fan Page: http://tinyurl.com/33udfb4
My Website: http://www.bethtrissel.com/index.html
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/bctrissel
My Blog: http://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BethTrissel
2008 Golden Heart® Finalist:
2008 Winner Preditor's & Editor's Readers Poll:
Publisher’s Weekly BHB Reader’s Choice Best Books of 2009:
Romance Charged With Danger From Ages Past!:

All photographs provided by Beth Trissel

Please give a warm welcome to debut author ~ Kristy Denice Bock

Please give a warm welcome to my dear friend, and talented writer, Kristy Denice Bock who's debut novel, Divine Touch, releases on April 8th with Red Rose Publishing.







What/who has been your greatest inspiration?
My greatest inspiration in writing has been my father, who can tell a story so believable that when you find out it was something he just came up with, you question him making it up before you question why you believed something that turned out to be a tall tale. The gift to tell a good tale is something that runs rampant through my family, from coming up with a believable excuse to entertaining large crowds. The ability is something that has always struck me as a good thing to grab from the gene pool. I just took it a step further and put my tall tales in writing.

What has been your greatest fear you’ve had to overcome as a writer?
Fear is something that I deal with in small doses. One minute I’m afraid that everything I write is complete crap and unworthy of being read. The next I worry that I’m going to make my editor go blind with numerous errors and issues that I should be able to have fixed. Then I’m terrified that someone will read the book and hate it. I worry that my mother will read It and disown me (not for content but because it doesn’t live up to the likes of her favorite authors) Then I worry that it will collect dust and go unread for the rest of eternity. I get over these fears by writing the next book. I can’t stress too much about what I can’t change if my mind is properly engaged.

What do you do to relax?
Sleep. I’m an uptight person, so the only time I’m truly relaxed is when I’m watching the back of my eyelids.

Did you always want to write and if not what triggered your passion for writing?
Yes. My parents bought me an electric type writer when I was fourteen years old. I lost my way for a few years but came back with a vengeance. I knew I’d write.. never once questioned it… I just took a while to get started on that first book.

Are you a pantser or a plotter? If a plotter which comes first your characters, your settings or your plot?
I think about plotting. I think so hard I give myself a headache, so I just write and see where it takes me. Every other chapter I’ll go back and make sure everything Is moving in the same direction.

What kind of goals do you set?
Flexible ones. I’m a single parent of four children… goals aren’t my forte. Actually neither are schedules… appointments… structure…

Whose POV do you prefer…hero/heroine/villain/multiple?
I think every main character’s point of view is crucial to fully engage the reader. I want my reader to know what my bad guys are up to, it’s more fun when the reader knows more than the hero/heroine.

What is your favoured writing routine? Do you have a set routine and place to write?
Hmm, somewhere quiet (meaning no kid distraction because I have to blast music to drown out conflicting thoughts.) I often have a hard time focusing on what I’m working on with other stories, characters and ideas interfering so I play music very loud to help me with the task at hand. (And hope the kids stay asleep or that school doesn’t let out early for some unknown reason)

Which do you prefer, background music or silence when you write?
Loud, obnoxious, bass thumping music.

What book are you reading at the moment?
Right this moment I have far too much to do to read a book, which makes me very sad. I hope to soon pick up something fun and light. I pick books depending on my mood. If I want to cry… I pick up something that will make me cry, and sometimes if lifes just been overwhelming, well its time for a light and fluffy happy book.

Who is your favourite author?
Um, at the moment Mary Janice Davidson with her undead series. Tomorrow who knows… it changes with the last book I read.

Some writers stop reading while writing because the feel it influences their writing. Do you read while working on a current writing project?
Not while I’m focused on the project, but if I need a break from writing, reading helps me clear the circuit board so that my mind is not so wrapped up on my work in progress.

How do you deal with criticism?
Cry. LOL I’m such a wuss. Then I put my big girl panties on and read the criticism. If its something that will make the story better I go with it, if I see no positive aspects in it, I ignore it.

What do you do when your mind blanks?
Walk away or start deleting. Once I deleted three chapters until I found what bothered me. (this is not the most productive way to write a book, but it works for me.) I will also use a program called Write or Die and it helps tremendously with moments when the words just will not come.

What books and wip are in the pipeline for the future? (Plug your series as much as you like here!! LOL)
I created a world where there is another race of people living among us. They are omnipotent and are called the Divine Ones. Six Goddesses who have made a deal with the Human council that they would limit their involvement in human life, for the sake of their children. Their children would grow up among the human mortals and then pass three trials to prove they are capable of having their natural birth powers, and yet retain the balance with the humans.

Divine Touch – Release date April 8th!!
Kate learns her mother is a Goddess and her boyfriend is a werewolf. What else could go wrong?

Divine Intervention – Written and submitted
Savannah's day goes from bad to worse when she's killed by the groom on her wedding day... that is until she meets Death.

Divine Purpose – being written as we speak…
Elle wanted to rewind time after she accidently turns the man she loves into a shadow creature. What good is finding out your mother is a Goddess if you can't do just that?

Divine Revenge
Ember has finally found the secret to destroying her father’s empire, and she knows just the demon to help her do it.

Divine Forgiveness
Faith knows the good in Cade outweighs the bad, she believe in him when no one else would, will her love be enough to save his soul?

Divine Rescue
Evelyn was no damsel in distress, she certainly didn't need Alex saving her every time something bad happened. She wasn't just the daughter of a goddess, she had special ways to get herself out of situations

Divine Redemption
Edereu had been given a second chance, but the one person who had been there for her at her worst, wanted nothing to do with her now that she changed. How could she convince Michael that his heart would be safe in her hands.

(I also have the first book of an angel series in the works that is tentatively named Fall from Grace.)

Any tips on promotion?
Don’t expect others to do for you what you can do for yourself. I have a blog Talk Radio show (Wednesday Nights 11pm Est) I have an active Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Ning. I plan on going to book signings as well as conventions in the next upcoming two years.

What advice would you give an aspiring writer?
Treat writing as a business. Dreams will give you an idea, but hard work, research and a business plan will get you so much further. Know your business, know your market, know your editor, know your publisher. Do not think that dreams alone will carry you through.

Do you have an excerpt from one of your books you’d like to share?

He stalked toward her, bringing his face a mere inch from hers.
“I could devour every inch of your skin and you would beg me for more. It most certainly would not suck.” Though he didn't touch her, her body tingled as if he had. She stared at him dumbfounded while her brain tried to prepare some type of appropriate response.
As she gaped at him, she realized he was changing. His jaw extended, conforming to an altogether new shape. The next thing she noticed was his eyes. They shifted from blue to black as the bone structure in his face changed, narrowing causing his eyes to set apart. His black hair spread the length of his body. It took every bit of control Kate possessed to not reach out and touch him.
His spine erupted, lengthening his torso as he dropped to his knees. Kate wondered for a brief moment if it hurt. His arms and legs shortened, turning into what she would expect a wolf's legs to look like. Though it only took a short period of time, his transformation captivated her.
Unable to stop herself, she reached out to touch him. The wolf turned its head toward her, baring its teeth but emitting no sound. Kate's hand stilled at the vision of the fangs, but her curiosity was stronger than her sense of self–preservation. Her fingers connected with soft black fur. She half expected it to be coarse, but it felt like silk.
What started as curiosity had turned into pleasure. Her hands stroked the length of the wolf's fur from the base of its neck to the hindquarters. With her face pressed against his fur, she breathed in his scent. The feel of his fur against her skin sent a ripple of heat through her body.
Shocked at her body’s reaction, she jerked her thoughts from a place they did not belong. With a need to return to reality, she backed away from the wolf Zane had become. Her breath caught at the sight of his eyes. Though her mind had turned him from werewolf to pure wolf, the sight of Zane in those black eyes made her all too aware of the man within the beast. He flashed his teeth again in what could only be described as a smirk and bounded away.
Kate sank to the ground, pulling her knees up to her chest with her arms wrapped around them. She exhaled slowly, emptying her lungs before taking in a shuddering breath.
“You know you've been celibate too long when a wolf turns you on,” she said aloud. The desire she felt as she stroked the soft fur encasing that body left her throbbing with want. She knew the moment she saw him again in male form she'd not be able to look him in the eye.
***
Please visit my Book Trailer for Divine Touch

Thank you, Kristy, for coming in today and sharing your thoughts and advice with us.
If you have any questions or would like to leave a comment, Kristy will be happy to respond.