31 August, 2017

August 31, 2017 0

#Interview with B.P.Senapati, #Author of The revenge of Gandhi's follower

About the Author:

I’m from Khurda, a small town of Orissa, I had dreamed to be a billionaire with lots of business plans but at the time of pursuing MBA I started writing stories, the more I wrote the more I involved in life of different characters, like I've known them from many years, finally I let go my business dreams and my MBA to become a writer, a bunch of people associate around me was great thinker, I tried to put those thoughts in front of world by this novel. I am also active in my blogs 'World of thoughts'. Apart from writing, I love photography, travel and football.

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An Interview: 

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller?        
Five years back, I was pursuing MBA and wanted to be a businessman and even had started a business while in second semester. But I failed completely and lost all my saving and some investment of my friends as well. I was depressed, lonely. I had no idea how and when I had taken writing seriously. Though I had been writing stories since I was in school. 

What inspires you to write?
I love to write story, for me writing is my passion and my happiness, so I am always get energy to write anything from my heart. Of course readers reviews, love and appreciation are the biggest inspiration for me. 

How did you come up with the idea for your current story?
Like most of the youth, I also dreamt to change our corrupt system. As a creative person I've some ideas for the society. Most of the time I discuss about my ideas to form a better society with my friends. I believe in a better future. Being a Gandhian I want to change everything lawfully, without wasting of blood. The love story of this book is always in my mind, it's my fantasy in which I'd a girlfriend from childhood, which is still a fantasy and won't possible till I've a time-machine. I decided to improvise the story with my vision, and thus the story got it's shape.

Are there some stories tucked away in some drawer that was written before and never saw the light of the day?
Two stories are there which never saw the light. I think those books need little more time. I have to give few months for them before go for publication.

Tell us about your writing process.
First thing for a story is the concept, without it you can't start a story. Then I start thinking about characters, I try to visualize my characters,search them through my friends behavior. After getting a rough idea how to start my story I write a rough manuscript in paper, then I go to my laptop. After finished my book I leave the story completely up to few months. Then I start editing.

What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?
In my book their is a situation where Priya cleared the IAS exam but wasn't interested to join because she didn't want to stay away from her husband, Vijay. But the way Vijay convinced her was my favorite scene.

‘Do you know why God fulfilled our dream of being together? Because we have greater things to do for our country. I am already yours, now do something for our country, ’Vijay said and gave a kiss over Priya's forehead. Spiderman says, “Great power comes with great responsibility.”God gives you the opportunity to serve people. Does something for the welfare of our country, always remember that you are heroine in the eyes of your parents and your husband, so be a heroine.” 

This was my favorite because here Vijay sets an example for husband, be a husband your duty is to guide your wife in right direction, he sets an example how a husband should be. 

Did any of your characters inherit some of your own quirks?
Main character of my book contains most of my quirks. As I belong to today's generation, so my thoughts reflect thoughts our generation. It contains my quirks about religion, goal of life, education system and society.

Do you read? Who are your favourite authors and how have they influenced your writing style?
I love to read, I am a great admire of J RR Tolkien and J K Rowling. One of my favorite book is 'The God of small things'. Somehow all book have their influence over me.

What is the best piece of advice you have received, as a writer, till date?
One of my friend advised me that, 'life is not a mathematics equation, you have to wait for nine months to get a baby,  to get something precious you have to see it in your dream, give sufficient time to grow, nurture it carefully.'
I am sure this sentence isn't created by my friend, he must have read it somewhere else but the sentence has a great impact on me.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Nothing is more satisfactory than writing a book, and nothing is more difficult than writing a book. If anyone wants to be a writer then read a lot, discuss various matters with intelligent people and try to write down your own thoughts. Keep patience, believe on your story and your ability you will definitely get success.
                      
What would be the Dream Cast for you book if it was to be turned into a movie?
Susant Singh Rajput and Shraddha Kapoor as lead role.

If you were to be stranded on the famous deserted island, what three things would you carry?
Lots of Books, Laptop and phone.

How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?
I love to watch movie, love to play football at free time. I want to travel all across the world, I want to meet different people and spend time with them. I’ve a wish to go Germany and research about World War 2. 

Tell us three fun facts about yourself.
I easily forget faces and names of common things, if I write one page it may possible that I might have made more than ten spelling mistakes. Even once I wrote spelling of my own name wrongly. I wrote my surname “Senapation” instead of “Senapati”. Still my friends call me “Senapation” in fun.

What do you have in store next for your readers?
Next Story of mine is a science-fiction. The story name is “Together -1, born of a God” It’s a war base science-fiction story after annihilation of Earth.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers?
You always get two choices to get your dream, one is difficult, different and hard to achieve. Other is easy, usual and smooth. You have to make a choice. The easy choice will take you nowhere, it will give you life of a machine, where you will die one day without doing anything for mankind. So choose the difficult one, do something differently, achieve something by your dedication and passion. Believe me, it will give you pain and suffering but at least you will get some satisfaction in your life.

About the Book:
Nobody is going to remember your mark, people only remember your work. 
Without innovation mark is meaningless, without creativity knowledge has no value, without vision and goal a man is nothing more than a dead body. 
Only human can innovative things, discover something, write a book, and create marvelous paintings. By a business idea can give employment to thousands of employees. Try to create or innovative something, if you get success then it's great. If you become a failure then what's the big deal? 
   It's thought of Vijay, he was a man with different thought, he had every symptom of a great man, still he lived with his mediocre dreams to get a job and then marry his childhood sweetheart. After few years of job experience wanted to establish his own business-like millions of other, but fate had some different plans. Our corrupt system forced him to enter the dirty game of politics. He gained power to avenge his antagonists, but being a Gandhian, his strategy was something unusual . . . his revenge wasn't ordinary . . . 



30 August, 2017

August 30, 2017 0

#CoverReveal :: Awaken by Ashok Banker


The Haters are coming to destroy all life on Earth. It is not a question of if, but when. 

The Brahmaand has already rung the warning bell and the awakening of the Preservers has begun. Kiara unexpectedly finds her skin covered with golden fur and her sense of smell extraordinarily enhanced; Saumya is suddenly able to go from Ahmedabad to New York in just a step; and Sia’s songs have the power to do things she had never imagined possible. 

First in the thrilling Shakti Trilogy set in contemporary India, Ashok Banker’s action-packed and brilliantly imagined Awaken introduces our unlikely heroes who must discover and harness their superpowers before they can protect and preserve the Earth from the wrath of a menacing alien invasion.




Ashok Banker is the internationally acclaimed author of over sixty published books which have sold over three million copies in twenty-one languages and sixty-one countries. He has been credited as the pioneer of Indian crime fiction in English and with launching the genre of mythological retellings, India’s biggest-selling publishing category. As a journalist, he broke front-page news for Times of India, Outlook and The Week. As a screenwriter, he created and wrote India’s first TV series in English, A Mouthful of Sky. Ashok is of Irish-Portuguese-Sri Lankan-Indian parentage, and lived in India for over fifty-one years before migrating permanently to the United States. Awaken is the first book in the Shakti Trilogy.

The Shakti Trilogy continues with Book II ASSEMBLE (November 2017) and Book III ARISE (January 2018).


29 August, 2017

August 29, 2017 0

#SpecialFeature :: Music And Lyrics: The One Thing I Can’t Do Without When I Am Writing



*** Special Feature - August 2017 ***
About the Author:
Aarti V Raman is an Amazon India bestselling romance writer who dabbles in romantic thrillers and contemporary romance. Happy Ever After are her three favorite words in the English lexicon. 

Aarti graduated from Mumbai University in 2007 with a degree in Mass Media focused on Journalism which provided her the perfect background for conducting sound research on any project. But she has also worked as a copy editor, social media consultant, commercial content writer-editor while pursuing her goal.
Aarti’s ambition of honing her craft and writing stories, particularly romances that have strong characters and stronger plots that remain etched in the reader’s minds, grew when she sold her first novel WHITE KNIGHT (Leadstart Publishing), in 2012. 

In 2013, her work was excerpted in the Tamil Edition of Mills and Boon novels. And in 2014, her short story “Post-Coital Cigarette” was chosen to be part of the Rupa Romance Anthology “An Atlas of Love” curated by bestselling author Anuja Chauhan.  Her last novel “Kingdom Come” (Harlequin MIRA) has enjoyed a brief stay at the bestseller lists in Amazon India. Her third book “With You I Dance” (Fingerprint! Publishing) released in April 2016 and debuted on the Amazon India Romance Bestseller list. 

Aarti was chosen to be part of the Goa Arts and Literary Fest 2014 in December 2014 and The Hyderabad Literary Festival in January 2015. 

She is represented by Red Ink Literary Agency, India. 

Connect with the Author:


Music And Lyrics: The One Thing I Can’t Do Without When I Am Writing




Coldplay. Matchbox 20. U2. Sting. Mohit Chauhan. Arijit Singh. Dido. Dido. Dido.




For the music neophytes, these are some of the best famous bands and artists of our times. And I hope they make your personal playlist ASAP!

They don’t say for nothing that writers suffer from neuroses and OCD (probably stretching it a bit too much with the generic self-diagnosis). One of my favorite rituals is to write an awesome and elaborate dedication page. The dedication page will profusely gush over my mother, my own True North, the Big Guy in the Sky, my latest muse who created the hero and…and…a playlist created and curated for that particular story comprising croons and tunes from those bands and artists that hold my heart.

So, this post, as all my books are, is dedicated to the crazy ones, the artists, the ones whose music only I can hear when I go deep into my writing Twilight Zone.

People usually do listicles and talk about their top five favorite songs or Spotify/Saavn/YouTube playlist. But I want to talk about incidents inspired by or happened around songs/artists, that jumpstarted my muse or vice-versa.

I’ll Make Love To You

Black Is The Color by The Corrs


I love writing sex scenes. I absolutely love them. They are intimate and goofy and transporting and somehow perfectly set the tone for the Happily Ever After I can’t get enough of. This song by Andrea Corr is my main go-to jam when I am laying it down for the characters. The beginning with the weeping viola and the steady, rhythm section practically beg for the art of undressing two characters both on the page and IRL.

This is what was playing in my earphones when Krivi and Ziya got it on in a sleazy hotel room in the middle of nowhere, UK. It’s sensuous and erotic all at the same time and it makes for some delicious squirmy scene-writing. One of the good kinds.

I Wanna Know What Love Is

Pehli Baar Mohabbat Ki Hai from Kaminey



I don’t know about you guys, but this particular Gulzar gem is exactly the reason why I write romance. So listening to it when I am in the middle of a book makes perfect sense to me. Especially, when I am about to write something extra-gooey and mushy, like an HEA scene.


The lyrics are whimsical and yet stand like a bulwark that captures the defiance of being in love, especially on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Mohit Chauhan is that man (with the face of current muse) whose arms I imagine are around me when I write a touching scene involving the hero and heroine. For instance, Pehli Baar played a pretty prominent role in the way WYID ended.

The Nirmohi, The Harjaayee...The Ideal

Kabira in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani



I am not joking, I am afraid to write a character named Kabir and, at the same time, I cannot wait to write him. Kabir, for me, personifies everything amazing and broken about the human male condition. A man trapped between wanting to become an adult and embrace the common sense and minutiae of responsibility that come with it and roaming around like a free spirit with an unerring sense of charm and flattery.

Of course, Kabir and Bunny in YJHD has more layers to him that get peeled back in the course of the movie but, when I hear Kabira play even now, four years later – I think about the fact that writing Kabir would be like writing the most ideal man ever. And such a creature is dangerous if out in the real world. Fun fact: For the longest time, I did not know that the correct lyric was “Kaisa tu hai nirmohi.” And that nirmohi meant, having no earthly desires.

The Song Beneath The Song

Polaris by Jimmy Eat World



I have had Polaris on my playlist since the last five years. And I have still not written a single particular story for it. Polaris, for me, is about the incredible and stunning yearning that only comes from being in love. And being AWAY from your love (for good or bad), whether it is manufactured conflict inside a book or a real life conflict due to whatever reasons. Polaris has these lyrics: As I’m sure your kiss remains employed, am I only dreaming? Aren’t they just so perfect to describe the angst, heartbreak and terrible capacities of everlasting love? I am hoping to utilize Polaris in a character playlist for The Dreamkeeper, my most ambitious project yet but, odds are, I just might go another way and keep Polaris for Aarti, the woman instead of Aarti, the writer.


Another JEW favorite: 23. Christ, what a song!



If They’re Gone (slight variation on If You’re Gone)

Coldplay/Matchbox 20/John Mayer/Michelle Branch/Kings of Leon/U2

My playlist, god my LIFE would be incomplete without songs by these iconic bands. Anything I have ever marginally been proud of and hit publish on, has been in some way inspired by these frigging amazing people. I have gushed about all the other songs and artists because they serve a very specific purpose in my life and in my writing process. But with Coldplay, Matchbox 20, Mayer man, Michelle Branch, Pink, KOL and U2 I am often short of words.





Their music has saved me, enervated me, uplifted me and made me feel every single emotion in the human spectrum, including disappointed (She’s So Mean in North and Inked in Ghost Stories). But, suffice it to say, my words would be far poorer and my stories not as emotionally impactful if it wasn’t for the background soundtrack provided by these legends, whispering, encouraging, making it impossible for me to give up the greatest joy there is:  write romance.


I mean, seriously. How can you not listen to All I Want Is You and not grab the nearest keyboard and 
WRITE stuff down?



When Music Collides With Life 

As a sidebar or inspiration and a huge boost as to why I keep on doing this, sharing a few of the conversations, chats I've had with a few of my favorite artists. Yeah, they are no Coldplay or Matchbox 20... But they are AWESOME and y'all have to listen to them! 

1. Ass Back Home by Gym Class Heroes and Neon Hitch - This song is majorly responsible for the middle section of Kingdom Come. The one where Ziya is devastated after Noor's death!

2. Sleeperstar 'I was wrong' - Sleeperstar is awesome. Just awesome. Damon Salvatore is awesome. And even though the draft I wrote for this song is completely garbage *I kid you not* it has been a part of my music Playlist for the last two years. Whether it is traveling long distance, short distance or writing blog posts or planning the new romance series, this song has been there. Thank you, Sleeperstar.

3. When a heart breaks by SO Stereo - The Vampire Diaries, One Tree Hill, Grey's Anatomy are just three of those series where the music takes over the show. Don't believe me? Then listen to SO Stereo. My favorite song by this hardly-known band is What you wanted me to do which should be like the urban Millennial love anthem! And ever since I heard it, I keep swapping it into new Playlists. I don't remember the draft of the book I was writing that Tuck was so enthused about, but dude. When I get to the US I am holding these amazing, talented, gentlemen to their promise!

Thank you for the music. Thank you for the lyrics. Thank you for being mine and opening up my heart to everything beautiful and heartbreaking about people.

Till Next Time,
Xx
Writer Gal




About the Book:


Meera Sagar had everything—the perfect job as a principal ballerina (for a prestigious New York ballet company) and a man who loved her as much as she loved him. But tragedy struck on the night before her biggest performance, forcing her to do the one thing she never wanted to do—come back home. To Mumbai.



Now, a year later, Meera is still trying to pick up the pieces, while

fending off marriage proposals from her well-meaning but

traditional Gujarati family, and figure life out all over again. By

starting a ballet school in Mumbai. But she has two problems. One, she doesn’t know anything about running a business. And two, she can’t dance. Not anymore.



Enter . . .
Abeer Goswami. Hotshot junior partner at a South Bombay law
firm and a man nursing a broken heart. When he meets Meera
again, the woman who left him, he tries his hardest to be her friend,to help her . . . and not let the past get in the way.

And then . . .
There is the sexy Zoya Sehgal. Meera’s only friend in the city and the woman Abeer is currently seeing. They say triangles have pointy edges, for a reason. 

Will Meera find a new dream in her ballet school? Can Abeer and Meera find their way back to each other again? And, most important, has Meera danced for the last time?

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Giveaway:
Open to Indian Residents Only

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28 August, 2017

August 28, 2017 0

#Spotlight :: Last Man She'd Love by Summerita Rhayne


About the Book:
When best laid plans fall apart...
Lyna is all set to marry a movie mogul, when she finds his pregnant ex at her office, begging her to break the engagement and keep her name out of it. Forced to take her flirtatious boss Guy's help, she sets about to break the engagement. But now she's pulled into deeper involvement with Guy. 
One trouble leads to another!
She agrees to visit his palatial country house, posing as his fiancée and is drawn into the family and their antics. Sorting out who's who takes time. A stringent grandfather, an ambitious mother, a frustrated half brother are only the beginning!
Attraction makes things complicated...
Propinquity with someone as charming and attractive as Guy doesn't help. But Guy himself is as much of a puzzle as ever. Is he the playboy she thinks him or is there someone else beneath the sardonic pose? Will she ever find out?
Will she break her heart in the process?




Excerpt:

The music grew warm and romantic. There was something in the power of echoing notes. He felt a soft sigh leave Lyna. Against his will, the hand which held her waist tightened a little. He heard her slight intake of breath and an age old excitement slowly grew and began to rush in his veins. She felt soft, almost tremulous in his arms. Her gaze met his, her chin tilting up as she looked into his eyes. A challenge sparkling in her eyes kindled an answering determination which surged through him like a hunter’s adrenaline kick. He knew she was meeting him halfway. The dangerous flicker that was beneath the surface looked like breaking through the barrier of official formality between them. For some reason, sanity held him back and he desisted and broke the eyelock. It wasn’t the same with her as with all the rest. Couldn’t be. He knew the rules and the set up with the kind of women he dated. With her, he wasn’t quite sure. He didn’t like the feeling.
It wasn’t a good idea to dance with her.
His body didn’t think so. His arm wanted to pull her closer, his lower body to lean into her. his other hand to hold her head when she arched her neck as his mouth fulfilled its need to kiss her.
To kiss her. His gaze had dropped down to the wet sheen of her lips. He became conscious his heart was thudding unnaturally.
‘Is he looking?’ she asked in a husky whisper against his shoulder.
Pulled back to reality, his mind trudged to the present. ‘No.’
‘Is he reacting at all?’
With her face towards him, she couldn’t see Brijesh. Guy dragged his gaze from her softly flushed face to find the rotund figure. ‘He’s moving. To get a beetroot cigar they are serving in a mint dip.’
‘For God’s sake, is that all he can think about all the time? Food? We’ll just have to try harder.’
A vision of propping her against the wall in a secluded corner of the house stole into his mind.
‘Are you listening, Guy?’
‘Sure. We’ll have to try harder,’ he repeated obligingly. ‘You mean here?’
She shot him blue daggers. ‘Do you want to dance on the grass?’
Her body might be all tremulous, but her tongue was the same as ever.
He chuckled.
The next moment, his breath was knocked out as she flung her arms around his neck. His hands automatically came to rest at her waist. It felt slender yet taut. Her perfume was all over him, filling his head with essence of wild flowers. The tips of her breasts brushed against his chest. He gave in to the inevitable and let his arms gather her close. Was that a tremor that ran through her? He dragged air into his lungs.
‘Is he coming over yet?’ Her voice was low.
‘No. Told you he doesn’t have an ounce of red blood.’
‘Let’s try more.’
‘Ok,’ he said gamely. Looked like it was out of his hands. He tilted her chin up and kissed her.


About the Author:

Summerita Rhayne writes contemporary and historical romance with lots of emotional conflict. She first got published in 2013 and has won contests with prestigious publishers such as Harlequin and Harper Collins India. Her pet belief is, if the inspiration is strong enough, the story characters will find a way to make the writer pen them down, even when writing time is in short supply. When cerebrally confronted with the sizzling interaction of two Alpha characters, the only way to get peace is write their book!

At heart, she's a family person and even though she loves her medical teaching profession, she happily becomes a homemaker when not at work. She loves winding down with music, romcoms and cricket (strictly watching only).




26 August, 2017

August 26, 2017 0

#Interview with Michael Meyerhofer, #Author of The Dragonkin Trilogy

About the Author:
An active member of the SFWA, Michael Meyerhofer's debut fantasy novel, Wytchfire (Book I in the Dragonkin Trilogy), was published by Red Adept Publishing, and went on to win the Whirling Prize and a Readers Choice nomination from Big Al's Books and Pals. The sequels, Knightswrath and Kingsteel, are out now--along with The Dragonward, Book I in the sequel Godsfall Trilogy. His stories and poems have appeared in Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, Orson Scott Card's InterGalactic Medicine Show, Strange Horizons, Planet Magazine, and many other journals.

He received his BA from the University of Iowa and his MFA from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. An avid weightlifter, medieval weapons collector, and unabashed history nerd, he currently lives, teaches, and inhabits various coffee shops around Fresno, CA. 


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An Interview:

Thanks, first off, for giving me the chance to do what writers do best: talk about themselves! I’m glad to be here (well, electronically).

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller?
It’s hard to say when I first realized I wanted to be a writer because for me, there was never a conscious “a ha” moment. I just remember reading books as a kid, immediately getting hooked on the raw imagination and escape they offered, and automatically instinctively wanting to produce that for other people. I was probably also drawn to writing because as a kid, I was painfully shy and lonely, but storytelling (whether you’re the reader or the storyteller) somehow takes something negative and alchemizes it into just about the greatest thing in the universe.

What inspires you to write?
I tend to derive a lot of inspiration from the people and the events around me. In my view, it doesn’t matter whether you’re writing a fantasy novel or a spy thriller or a sci-fi book without a single humanoid character; what makes any book actually work is adding depth to the characters, and the best inspiration for that is the actual people around us. Add to that the fact that I’m an unabashed history nerd. I can honestly say that if I haven’t watched every single documentary on history or ancient religion that you can find on Youtube, I’ve come close. That stuff fascinates me because it speaks to the human condition, but it’s also great fodder for writing. For example, when I was putting together the Codex Lotius—which is a list of the sayings and precepts that form the basis for the Isle Knights in my fantasy novels—I drew inspiration from the philosophies of Democritus, as well as the years I’ve spent reading Zen poetry. That’s another great thing about being a writer. Basically, you’re a chef with unlimited freedom to mix whatever ingredients you want.

How did you come up with the idea for your current story?
I love to take traditional fantasy tropes and turn them on their heads. The good guys can’t always be good and the bad guys can’t always be evil. In fact, if a reader experiences some existential panic because they can’t decie how they feel about a particular character or event, that’s a very good thing because in addition to being entertaining, it mirrors real life. Especially in my later books, too, I worked on adding more well-rounded female characters who can pass the Bechdel Test—that is, they’re not just there as window dressing, but actually add something vital and unique to the plot. 

Are there some stories tucked away in some drawer that was written before and never saw the light of the day?
Ha, absolutely! I’m also a teacher and I was telling my students just today that for every “final” page you write, there are probably three pages that ended up in the trash—but that’s okay, because it’s how we improve. At this point, I’ve published five novels, with a sixth forthcoming, along with poems, a few poetry books, and some short stories here and there. But I also probably have hundreds (if not thousands) of bad poems, stories, and half-finished novels collecting dust on my hard drive. Again, though, that’s a good thing. There’s no such thing as wasted effort in writing. Even a bad story is good exercise. And, of course, you can always cannibalize it for ideas later!

Tell us about your writing process.
To be honest, my process has changed a lot over the years. I used to write almost entirely by “feel.” I’d come up with a scene or character, sit down, and start writing. That’s not a bad way to start but eventually, that “new car smell” wears off and the real work begins… which usually leads to abandoned manuscripts. So nowadays, I still start off with a concrete scene or character, but as quickly as possible (maybe after writing two or three rough chapters), I put that aside, sit down, and try to map out a whole chapter-by-chapter outline. Usually, I weave in elements of whatever’s been on my mind lately, whether that’s something happening in the world or some random thing that stuck with me from a documentary or conversation. Once I have that outline (which of course changes many times), I dive back in. At that point, it’s a matter of work. I like marathon writing/editing sessions so unless I’m very absolutely not in the mood, I force myself to write one whole chapter (about seven to twelve typed pages) per day. Obviously, what’s produced will be rough, but I push through until I’ve reached the end of the book. Then I go back and start editing (again, I try to get through one chapter per day), round after round, adding in more extended metaphors where I can, until I think I’ve got something readable. 

Did any of your characters inherit some of your own quirks?
Definitely. I probably shouldn’t admit this but even my villains are in some ways reflections of me—impatience, anxiety, frustration, etc. Oh, and Rowen and Jalist definitely both inherited my sardonic sense of humor. 

What is your most interesting writing quirk?
Once I have my rough draft done and I’ve moved on to the editing stage, I put on headphones and have the computer read my manuscript back to me while I follow along. Whenever I hear something bad, I pause the playback and rewrite it. Something about having your own story read back to you adds a certain legitimacy to it, while still highlighting any mistakes (or patches of plain ol’ bad writing) that you might otherwise gloss over. So it allows me to be more critical of myself while still actually kind of enjoying the usually tedious editing stage. It’s also a trick I’ll use sometimes if I’m stalled halfway through a manuscript and don’t know how to finish it, i.e. I kind of let the story itself take the helm and tell me where to go.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Write without ceasing. I’ve taught creative writing before and I always tell my students that. What I mean is that whenever you’re standing in line somewhere, or waiting in a restaurant, or riding on a bus, or walking along the sidewalk, think in the back of your mind about how you’d describe whatever you’re experiencing. It’s a great way to strengthen your writing muscles but it also has the added benefit of (hopefully) making you a bit more conscious of the world around you. Aside from that, the next best thing you can do is read without ceasing. With that, again, I’m not being literal. I just mean, try to be aware of the great, imaginative, inspiring work that others have done. Even if you dislike a piece of writing, you can learn from it. As Robert Pinsky put it, “Read the way a chef eats.”

Tell us three fun facts about yourself.
- If I’m out somewhere and Cyndi Lauper comes on, even if I’m cold-sober, there’s a good chance I’ll start dancing.
- I’m hopelessly addicted to weightlifting and have been since I was about 14.
- As a teenager, I once found my car inexplicably filled with bees, asked them to leave, and they did. I am since convinced that I am the Bee Whisperer.

What do you have in store next for your readers?
All three books of the Dragonkin Trilogy are out now, which was quite literally a dream come true for me. The sequel series, the Godsfall Trilogy, is almost done. The first two books, The Dragonward and The Wintersea, are already out, and the final book, The Undergod, is “done” and just needs some editing and cover design. Beyond that, I’m also working on an entirely new trilogy set in a different world, a maritime Rome-like empire in which the only source of magic is as potent as it is addictive.

About the Book:


​In the dragon-haunted land of Ruun, Rowen Locke has been many things: orphan, gravedigger, mercenary. All he ever wanted was to become a Knight of Crane and wield a kingsteel sword against horrors he's known since childhood. 

But that dream crumbled—replaced by a new nightmare. War is overrunning the realms, and in a world where no one is blameless, the time has come for one disgraced man to decide which side he’s on.







Reviews:

"Michael Meyerhofer excels at complicated and layered characters that are a mix of good and bad, flawed and desperate. Each stands apart from the other, giving readers a range of characters to root for as well as despise." Readers Favorite

"... a rich history, reluctant heroes and a few surprises along the way." Big Al's Books & Pals
"Meyerhofer is a great writer, and I look forward to the rest of the trilogy..." Adventures in Storyland

"... the dialogue shines in this book." Footnotes

"Michael Meyerhofer's writing style and storytelling is intriguing, unique, and beautiful..." Like a Bump on a Blog

"If you enjoy your Tolkien-esque adventures, then this is definitely a book for you to check out." Dab of Darkness

"The characters are well-developed and very real. I felt as if I could glance up and see them standing in front of me." I'm a Voracious Reader

"... with the feel of the tomes of the late 80s and 90s, the humor and the darkness likened to R.A. Salvatore's  style and the wondrous symbolic nature found in many of Tad Williams' works..." Cabin Goddess

"... a fantastic start to an epic fantasy series. " Laurie's Thoughts & Reviews 


25 August, 2017

#FaveFiveFriday - Book Sibling


#FaveFiveFriday is an initiative by Buzz Magazine 



#5 - The Pevensies

I read Chronicles of Narnia at quite an early age. Susan, Peter, Edmund and Lucy were the siblings that I grew up with along with the Famous Five. Being the youngest member of the joint family that I grew up in, I fancied myself to be Lucy though I had 4 elder brothers rather than 2 brothers and a sister. I loved Lucy and felt that she was the most innocent and wise girl. I loved her to bits and even decades later, she has a special place in my heart.


#4 - Katniss & Prim Everdeen

Katniss volunteered for The Hunger Games to take Prim's place. That says it all. Katniss's protective quality shows throughout the series but it was that moment in the first book when she volunteered that took my heart away. 


#3 - The March Sisters

Sisters Meg, Joe, Beth, and Amy March are the most lovable bunch of siblings. Different as they are from each other, they are all for one and one for all whenever the situation calls for it.


#2 - Feluda & Topshe

As a Bong, I grew up on a healthy diet of Satyajit Ray's 'Adventures of Feluda'. The duo took me on a number of adventures with Feluda educating me and Topshe on an array of subjects ranging from geometry to telepathy.


#1 - Weasley Twins

"The thing about growing up with Fred and George, is that you sort of start thinking anything's possible if you've got enough nerve." 
If I had to choose someone from the fictional world to come to life, it would be Fred & George. Always the ones for pranks and laugh, but also with very genuine hearts.



24 August, 2017

August 24, 2017 0

#GuestPost :: Trust with Hearts ‒ Behind the Scenes… By Kelli A. Wilkins


Trust with Hearts ‒ Behind the Scenes…
By Kelli A. Wilkins


Hi everyone,

Today I’m sharing a look at the making of my latest contemporary romance, Trust with Hearts.
Readers are always curious about how books “happen” ‒ how do they start out as a random idea and become an actual book, filled with great characters, drama, and sizzling love scenes? The answers vary, and each novel comes to me in a different way.

How did Trust with Hearts come about? Is the sexy and sultry Curtis based on a particular country music celebrity? Here’s the scoop…

The idea for Trust with Hearts came to me before a country music concert. I was sitting in the front row before the show started, when all of a sudden the whole plot and all the characters jumped into my head. Naturally, I started scribbling down notes (on the back of an envelope, of all things!) before the house lights went down.

Although inspired by real-life, the character of Curtis isn’t based on that one particular country music superstar – rather, he’s a blend of three or four cowboy-hat-wearing singer/songwriters. Elements of the “inspirational” singer are there, but I used my imagination to fill in background details and invented whatever else I needed to make the story work.

Trust with Hearts is a bit different from my other romances in that it has a more “traditional” romance novel feel – but still contains plenty of heat. Although Sherrie and Curtis are attracted to each other, they’re total strangers and are hesitant about getting involved in a relationship. They’ve both been unlucky in love, and aren’t sure if giving their hearts away is even worth the time or trouble.

The book gives them the whole summer to get to know each other. Readers peek into their troubled pasts and follow along as Curtis and Sherrie heal their hearts, love, and learn to trust again.
The subplot of the book – Sherrie’s devotion to save Kitty Corner – was crucial because I wanted to give her a purpose, something to build her self-esteem. Sherrie’s cat adoption project lets her help unfortunate cats who need rescuing and good homes. It parallels how Dave takes Sherrie in (aka “rescues” her) and gives her a second chance at a new life.

And, on a more personal note, giving Sherrie the “job” of helping cats allowed me to make a social/personal statement. I’m a cat person and I’ve written three cat care books. I always advocate adopting pets (of all kinds) from shelters and giving them a real home. (Would you want to live out the rest of your life in a wire cage?)

Back on topic: Knowing how I often write sequels, a reader asked if there will be another book following up Trust with Hearts. Will Dave get his own story?

I do have an idea for a sequel in mind. What if Curtis’s cousin Jen suddenly had to move in with Dave? Hmm… I already have a plot brewing in the back of my mind, so if readers would like to see a follow-up story, let me know!

And here’s a little-known fact: Once upon a time, Trust with Hearts had an entirely different ending. Curtis and Sherrie were driving back to Dave’s house when they got into a car accident. The Ventura was demolished, Sherrie was thrown clear, but she had to go back into the burning car and rescue Curtis. I opted to delete the “car wreck” chapter after several people told me it felt too “tacked on” and was depressing. This version of the story has a new epilogue, and readers can see that Sherrie and Curtis are certainly living happily-ever-after.

I’m glad to say that the book has received some great reviews:

Trust with Hearts is a must read. You will laugh, cry, and in the end, you will totally fall in love with the story. It is character rich, and full of drama along with some sizzling scenes to spice it up. The relationship with her characters helps us see that Curtis and Sherrie may not make it, but then, as the drama unfolds, and she shows us their hearts, we realize there just may be more there than meets the eye. This book will remain on my favorites shelf for a long while, and it is a definitely recommended read from this reviewer.” - Rose, Reviewer, Romance at Heart.com

4.5 stars! Trust with Hearts is beautifully written. You struggle with Sherrie as she tries to regain her footing, and Curtis’s charm is intoxicating as it flows off the pages. I am always thrilled when I get the chance to discover a new-to-me author who I can’t wait to read more from.” - Emily, Reviewer, SingleTitles.com

Here’s the book summary and an exclusive excerpt:


TRUST WITH HEARTS
After a bitter breakup, Sherrie Parker seeks refuge at her cousin Dave’s house in rural West Virginia. Early one morning, she runs into Dave’s other houseguest, a singer named Curtis Taylor. The last thing Sherrie wants is to share living quarters with a country music crooner – even if he is sexy, in a cowboy sort of way.
Thrown together by circumstances, Sherrie and Curtis get off to a rocky start, but soon discover they have more in common than they ever imagined. Unable to fight their growing attraction, they give in to their desires and start a sizzling summer romance.
Everything is perfect between them until Sherrie discovers that Curtis is keeping secrets from her – and his biggest secret of all will change everything. Can their newfound love survive, or will destiny keep them apart forever?




An exclusive excerpt:

As she made her way down the hall, she saw Curtis standing in the living room near the sofa. He had dimmed the lights and lit a few vanilla-scented candles. She approached him slowly, unsure of what to say.
He extended his hand. “How about another dance, darlin’?”
Her heart thundered as she slipped her hand into his. “There’s no music.”
“Wait...” Curtis reached behind her and clicked the CD player’s remote control. An upbeat guitar solo filled the room.
As Curtis settled her to his chest, she melted against him and inhaled his cologne. After a minute, she decided to open up. “I’m a bit nervous.”
“There’s no need to be. Nothin’ will happen here that you don’t want to.”
“It’s not that. I want to, but…” She looked down. “It’s been a while, and I’m not very—”
He squeezed her closer. “Shh, move to the music. Don’t worry about a thing.”
Curtis swayed her around in time with the song. This song wasn’t as sad and lamenting as most of the other country music he had. “Whose CD is this?”
“Mine.”
“I know that. I mean, who’s singing? I like this song.”
He nudged her with the brim of his hat. “Your favorite superstar, CJ.”
“It figures.” She laughed. “I guess I’m starting to like him.”
“You don’t know how happy that makes me,” Curtis said, nuzzling her neck.
The song ended, and she stayed snuggled in Curtis’s arms.
“Another dance? I’ve got lots of music.”
“Sure.” She rested her head against his shoulder as the next song started. It was a slow, haunting tale of lonesome nights.
Curtis caressed her back in time to the song and she cuddled closer. Little by little, her nervousness was fading and being replaced with a smoldering passion.
He kissed her as the song ended. She stroked his chest as their tongues entwined and hungered for more. She was vaguely aware of the songs changing as they were lost in each other. This was nice, but she wanted him to tear off her clothes and ravage her.
“I want you so bad,” she whispered, then turned away. “I can’t believe I said that.”
“It’s okay. I like a vocal girl. Don’t be afraid to tell me what you want… and like. It turns me on,” he said, as he brushed her hair to one side and sucked on her neck, making her moan. He glided his hands up her ribs and cupped her breasts through her shirt. She swayed as he pinched her nipples with his thumbs.
“Now don’t you faint on me.” He took off his hat and settled it on her head, then danced her backward until she was leaning against the wall outside the bedroom. “See if you can hold up this wall while I do sinful things to you.”
She listened to the music as Curtis unbuttoned her blouse. Her skin tingled as he parted the material. She opened her eyes and dared a peek at him. He was staring at her chest.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered, then kissed the top of each breast.
“Should I take this off?” she asked, reaching for her bra strap.
“No, no. I’ll take care of everything. Tonight’s your night, Sher.”

Order your copy here:
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I hope you’ll check it out. Trust with Hearts was a lot of fun to write and blends a sultry romance with heartwarming drama.
Happy Reading!
Kelli A. Wilkins

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 19 romance novels, and 5 non-fiction books. Her romances span many genres and heat levels.
Kelli released Trust with Hearts, a contemporary romance, in July 2017. Her third gay romance, Four Days with Jack, was released in June 2017. Kelli’s trilogy of erotic romance novellas, Midsummer Night’s Delights, Midwinter Night’s Delights, and Ultimate Night’s Delights was published in spring 2017.
Loving a Wild Stranger was published in January 2017. This historical/pioneer romance is set in the wilds of the Michigan Territory and blends tender romance with adventure.
Kelli's third Medallion Press romance, Lies, Love & Redemption was released in September 2016. This spicy historical western is set on the Nebraska prairie in 1877.
Her writing book, You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction is a fun and informative guide filled with writing exercises and helpful tips all authors can use.
Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor.
She also writes a weekly blog: http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/.

Visit her website, www.KelliWilkins.com to learn more about all of her writings, read book excerpts, reviews, and more. Readers can sign up for her newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/HVQqb.