A Fireside Chat with Jared from The Valiant Series

Today we return to the world of my fictional interviewer, Richard Dale, as he chats with the character of Jared from Joanna White's novel Hunter, book one in her Valiant series.

A Fireside Chat with Jared

“Welcome everyone, to another Fireside Chat. I’m Richard Dale, your host. Today, our guest is Jared, a genetically enhanced assassin from the prison Zagerah.” Richard nods politely to the man fidgeting in the chair opposite to him. “Welcome, Jared. Let’s begin with you telling our audience a bit about yourself.” 

Jared crossed his arms, not at all interested in doing this particular interview. “I’m a Hunter in Zagerah. My task is to track down and kill the prisoners inside it.” 

“So, what’s it like to be an assassin? Do you have doubts about what you do, or do you feel this is a calling?” 

Jared shrugged—such a simple movement, but there was a lot of weight to it. “It’s all I’ve ever known. I don’t remember a life outside of this.” 

“Fascinating.  Now how do you deal with your telepathic abilities?  I understand you’ve had some recent issues with one of the new prisoners?” Richard leans forward. “Have these unusual circumstances made you distrust your abilities?” 

“I know my abilities and have confidence in them. But this new prisoner is just…” Jared sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “Frustrating. I can read the minds of every Hunter and prisoner inside Zagerah, except the new one’s and I don’t know why. That’s the most annoying part.” He frowned. 

“Interesting.” Richard taps a finger on his chair. “What is the oddest thing that has ever happened to you?” 

“Probably the situation with the new prisoner. I’ve never had a prisoner whose mind I couldn’t read. That, and having to pretend to be one of them. I’ve never done that before, either. It’s usually just track them and kill them, then move on to the next ones.” 

As Richard is about to reply, they are interrupted by a gentleman carrying a tea tray. “Oh, I believe it’s time for our break. Thank you, Jenkins.” Richard nods as Jenkins sets the tray down. “What do we have today?” 

Jenkins clears his throat slightly. “We have a nice Chai blend today, sir, and some lemon cake.” He looks at the guest. “Would you care for a cup and a slice of cake, Mr. Jared?” 

Jared lifted an eyebrow and stared at it with a look of distaste. “No.” 

Richard suppresses a sigh and tries to smile. “I’ll take a cup and two slices of cake, please.”

Jenkins pours one cup and serves the tea and cake to Richard before retreating.  

Richard Dale takes a sip from his cup, and asks, “What is your idea of perfect happiness?” 

Jared stared blankly at first, unsure how to respond. In honesty, he wasn’t even sure what happiness was—in definition, maybe, but not actuality. “I’m a Hunter and always have been. What else is there?” 

Richard raises an eyebrow, but does not reply, continuing with the interview. “What would you consider your greatest character flaw?” Richard taps his finger again, adding, “And what would be your most virtuous trait?” 

“I guess I’m loyal, but then again, all the Hunters are. We follow Hindah’s orders without hesitation. The others… they sometimes like to toy with the prisoners first… cause them unnecessary pain. I don’t. I’d rather just kill them and be done with it. If you can consider that a virtue.” 

Richard leans back in his chair, biting the edge of his lip. “Do you have a prized possession? And if so, why do you value it so much?” 

“My Inquiri blade. Hands down. Anyone who touches it, dies.” 

“I see.” Richard nods. “One last question. What would you consider the best quality of human nature?” 

Jared scoffed. “From what I’ve seen—which is pretty much only Zagerah—human nature doesn’t have a best quality.”

“Well thank you, Jared, for agreeing to this interview.”

For more on Jared and the Valiant series, check out Joanna White's website:

https://authorjoannawhite.com/

A reckless young woman named Averella does what no woman has ever done.

She disguises herself as a man and purposefully gets herself arrested and thrown into Zagerah. Her brother Gabriel was taken, and with his disease, he will not survive on his own. She has no idea what to expect inside the prison; all she knows is that once men get taken, they never come back.

The Hunters will find her.

Genetically altered to be faster and stronger than humans, the Hunters use their powers to find and kill every prisoner who enters Zagerah. The only ones who can defeat them, are in fact, themselves.

Jared is a Hunter. It’s all he’s known, all he remembers. He kills ruthlessly and without regret, one prisoner after another. When a new prisoner Dalex shows up, everything begins to change. Jared goes undercover to make Dalex and the other prisoners believe he is one of them, a prisoner himself.

No one knows the truth.

He will trick them.

Toy with them.

Then, he will kill them.

Hunter is available on Amazon.

 

Interview With Author Craig DiLouie

Today I have a treat, presenting a terrific interview with speculative fiction author Craig DiLouie. He stops by to chat about his books, characters and the genre of speculative fiction.

Interview With Craig DiLouie

Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself?

Thanks for having me on your blog! I’m an American-Canadian writer of speculative fiction, what’s called a “hybrid” author these days as my work is published by both big traditional publishers and also self-published.


Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?

One of Us is a Southern Gothic dark fantasy about a disease that produces a generation of monsters now coming of age and wanting their place in society—something they may have to fight for. It’s a gritty misunderstood monster novel that also carries themes of prejudice and what makes a monster a monster. It’s been described as X-Men by way of William Faulkner, but it’s far darker than either. Author Claire North described it as The Girl with All the Gifts meets To Kill a Mockingbird, which is I think nails it.

The novel was published in hardcover mid-July 2018 and is available in the sci-fi section of your local bookstore, as well as online in hardcover, all eBook formats, and audiobook.

Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?

I was fascinated with the idea of writing a Southern Gothic misunderstood monster novel. Southern Gothic is typically dark, gritty, and includes elements like the grotesque, taboo, prejudice, and a society in decay. The idea was to have monsters live among us, but they came from humanity biologically, and now the rest of humanity rejects them. We clearly sympathize with the monsters, but when they finally push back with extreme violence, our sympathies become pulled between them and the people living in the town. The result is a misunderstood monster novel that reveals itself as a larger examination of prejudice. One of Us doesn’t preach or pose any answers but instead simply asks the reader to experience the novel’s themes through empathy with the characters, and then reflect on them if they want to do so.

What did you enjoy most about writing your book?

I loved working with the characters in this book and building the world they live in, then revealing it with a style that combines a dark, modern thriller with a traditional Southern Gothic tone. The result really sang for me as the writer.



What did you find most challenging about writing your book?

I wanted to show the full spectrum of human ugliness revealed through some of the supposedly “normal” characters, which required violence but also a scene with sexual assault. This is a very sensitive subject to include in a novel these days, and it had to be handled carefully without being gratuitous.

Do you have a favourite character?

One of Us is a character-driven work and has an ensemble cast of both “monsters” and “normals” living in or near a small town in Georgia in 1984. I didn’t have a favorite but loved writing all of them equally.

On the monster side, you have Brain, his oversized head containing a supergenius intelligence he hides from the “normals”; Dog, who believes if he works hard and plays by the rules, he’ll get a fair shake; Goof, a funny kid with an upside-down face and an extraordinary capability that attracts the interest of the government; and Amy, a plague girl who is beautiful on the outside, allowing her to hide in plain sight. Readers seem to love Dog for his earnestness and hope.

On the “normal” side, the characters are more based on Southern Gothic small-town tropes, and while our story’s monsters are very human, many of these humans are very monstrous. You have Gaines, a small town loser in love with a girl half his age; Sheriff Burton, who sympathizes with the plague kids but oppresses them to preserve what he sees as the natural order; Jake, the preacher’s son who is also the small town rebel, and more.

The lives of all of these people intersect in multiple ways, sometimes with sympathy and understanding, other times with fear and violence, leading to an explosive conclusion.

Of all the books you've written, do you have a favourite?

I’d have to say One of Us, followed by Suffer the Children, a horror novel I wrote for Simon & Schuster (Gallery) back in 2014. That novel is about a plague that turns the world’s children into vampires who become dead unless given human blood, which turns him into the children they once were for a short time. The children are vampires, but the parents, willing to do anything to get blood and keep their children going, become the monsters, and they do it out of the purest love in the world. The question behind the novel is, “How far would you go for someone you love?”


What do you enjoy most about writing in the speculative fiction genre?

I love writing sci-fi, fantasy, and horror because you can take the familiar and put it in an unfamiliar situation, resulting in contrast that titillates and possibly reveals truth. I particularly love the possibility of writing original works that push boundaries and make readers reflect on a fundamental human trait.

That being said, my self-published work mostly consists of military fiction series. These books are just plain fun for me to write, and they’re quite popular on Amazon.


What’s your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to reveal?

Currently, I’m revising another novel for Orbit. This book is about a brother and sister forced to fight as child soldiers on opposite sides of a second American civil war. As with One of Us, I think it will be provocative and I hope inspire people to reflect. Readers can keep up with this and other projects at www.CraigDiLouie.com.

One of Us by Craig DiLouie

They call it the plague

A generation of children born with extreme genetic mutations.

They call it a home

But it's a place of neglect and forced labour.

They call him a Freak

But Dog is just a boy who wants to be treated as normal.

They call them dangerous

They might be right.

“This is not a kind book, or a gentle book, or a book that pulls its punches. But it’s a powerful book, and it will change you.” – Seanan McGuire, author of Every Heart a Doorway

Available at:

 Amazon (US)

Amazon (Canada)

Goodreads

About the Author:

Craig DiLouie is an American-Canadian writer of speculative fiction. His works have been nominated for major literary awards, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for screen adaptation. He is a member of the Imaginative Fiction Writers Association, International Thriller Writers, and Horror Writers Association. Learn more at www.CraigDiLouie.com.

Fireside Chat with Travis from the Hell Bent series

Today I have a treat with another Fireside Chat. Our fictional interviewer, Richard Dale, sits down with Travis from the Hell Bent graphic novel series by K Matt. Enjoy!

Fireside Chat with Travis

“Welcome everyone, to another Fireside Chat. I’m Richard Dale, your host. Today, our guest is the genetically enhanced human Travis. Welcome Travis.” Richard Dale holds out a hand in greeting.

Travis’ tail twitches, and he’s clearly appreciative of being considered a human. He reaches forward to shake Richard’s hand. “Hey, thanks for having me here,” he replies with a grin.

“Why don’t we begin with some details of your life. Exactly who is Travis and how did you end up embroiled in genetic experimentation?”

He chuckles slightly at that. “Who am I, you ask…Ask some people from around Hell Bent, they probably know me as ‘that one guy at the comic shop with the tail’. Restaurants see me as a damn good customer. But how would I describe myself?” He shrugs. “I guess I’m just kind of a genetic freak. I dunno. As for how experimentation came into play…well, my sister and I grew up in kind of a shitty home, and I got us both thrown out. See, one of the things we have to deal with back in my hometown is being experimented on if you’re, say, a criminal or a runaway. But lucky for us, we were picked up by this one scientist that sort of adopted us. She had a few things to prove, and we agreed to help her out with it. Fast forward to…” He gestured to himself.

Richard Dale smiles. “So, what are your feelings now towards the genetic DNA experiments you participated in? What are the advantages, or disadvantages, to in essence being part monkey?”

Travis thinks on that one, his finger-like toes flexing a little. “The ones mom did weren’t too bad at all. She did sort of warn Gemmy and I both about some minor discomfort. And I love having the tail and opposable toes. Ooh, and part of the experimentation involved a regenerative factor. I was an X-Men fan as a kid, and always thought that power was kinda cool. On the downside, I tend to get, like, REALLY hungry after I heal from something. The other huge downside of the healing ability is that everyone seems to want to find out how it works. They don’t always ask permission, and when they do, they don’t seem to take no for an answer. But the good points of the experimentation in general? Increased agility, for sure. Plus, it’s kinda nice to know that if I break a leg or something, I’ll be fine in a few hours.”

“Fascinating. And what of the difficult situations you’ve found yourself in? I believe you’ve experienced violent run-ins with a serial killer and a maladjusted mage. Do you feel your life has been cursed, or unfair? And how have you dealt with these terrible experiences?”

He cringes at the thought of THEM again. “…You do NOT want to get me started on Jesse or McManus,” he grumbles. “There are a lot of good points about my life, but sometimes I do have to wonder if I’m cursed. As for dealing with this shit? I have the best support system, like, ever. I also tend to stress eat from time to time. But my girlfriend is psychic and has helped me go into my mind to deal with whatever’s going on in there. So it’s thanks to my family I’m not as much of a wreck as I probably should be.” 

"A psychic girlfriend? That must be challenging at times." Richard taps the arm of his chair with a finger. “Tell me about your childhood, your relationship with your father? I know it was troubled. Have you resolved your feelings in regard to that relationship? Any lingering issues?”

Travis’ eye twitches, and his tail begins to follow suit. “Walter…yeah, I’ve always hated that guy. When I found out that making your kid sleep on a closet floor wasn’t normal, that made it even worse. You wanna know how my sister and I got kicked out? It happened when I throat-punched that son of a bitch. Yeah…our childhood wasn’t exactly great. We got put under house arrest for three years for going to a friend’s house. I’d like to say I resolved my feelings, but I really haven’t and am just glad to have gotten out.”

“Interesting.” Richard smiles again. “Let’s try a lighter note. What do you like to do for fun?”

Relieved to be on a subject that does not involve his issues with his father, the half-monkey brightens up. “Well, I love comics. So it’s a good thing that the one place that offered to hire me is a comic shop. I also like spending time with my friends and family, spending time with my girlfriend Ivy…OOH, movies. Also like watching those. Especially terrible ones! And then there’s food. I generally like eating.”

“I see. Now for a little introspection. In your own opinion, what is your best trait? Your worst?”

Travis taps his chin for a moment. “Like, physical or psychological? Because if it’s physical, that’d be my hair. Psychological…probably the fact that I don’t believe in giving up. Like, ever. Worst would be either my way-too-big nose and…well, I do kinda have some degree of self-loathing sometimes, where I start thinking that Walter was right about me…”

A sudden interruption of clinking cups and the jingling of bells halts the conversation, as a distinguished gentleman enters the room carrying a festooned tea tray.

“Ah, I believe it’s time for some refreshment. And I see you put a bit of holiday cheer on the tray.” Richard frowns slightly. He turns toward Travis. “This is our indispensible butler, Jenkins.” Richard Dale nods at the butler. “Jenkins, our guest Travis.”

Travis offers a small wave to Jenkins, his tail flicking a bit.

“A pleasure, sir, to make your acquaintance. In honour of the season, I’ve prepared some hot chocolate, and cookies fresh from the oven. Would you care for a cup and a bite to eat?” Jenkins sets the tray down and waits.

The half-monkey’s green eyes light up as he notices the hot chocolate and cookies. “Yes, I would, thanks,” he said with a grin. He was something of a chocoholic.

“No tea?” Richard stares at the silver pot and sighs.“I’ll suppose I’ll try a cup of chocolate. And a cookie.”

Jenkins pours two cups, serves both men, before retreating back to the adjoining room.

Richard Dale takes a sip of his hot chocolate, a surprised but pleased look on his face, and asks, “Have you ever done something in your past you are ashamed of or deeply regret, that you would undo if you could? Also, what one act in your past are you most proud of?”

Travis scratches the back of his head with a foot, both hands being occupied for now. “Flunking out of college is a big one for me,” he says. “And so was that failure to save a couple of kids from Jesse. I’d promised to protect them, but…” He shivers, taking a swig of hot chocolate to calm himself down. “I don’t wanna think about what she did to them… Now, what I’m proud of? Umm…that might be when I punched Walter. He had it coming, and it got my sister and I out of there. Had we been forced to stay with him, I have no idea if either of us would be alive right now.”

Richard takes another sip from his cup. “Who would you consider your best friend? And who would be your worst enemy?”

“Ah, that’s an easy one!” says Travis with a grin. “That’d be Spencer. We’ve been buddies since we were in Kindergarten. He went on to marry my sister, and we all live together now. Spence has always been there for me. Well…except for those three years we couldn’t leave the house. Or that time that he and I got into a fight. But when my first girlfriend dumped me? He took time off from his studies to spend time with me.

“As for my worst enemy…that’s hard to say, really. On the one hand, there’s Walter. He made life Hell for a number of years. But then there’s also McManus…y’know how much it sucks to be called an abomination right to your face? Hm…I’d have to say it’s probably Jesse. She’s done more to me and the people I care about than the others.”

“You do seem to be easy-going and friendly, not a loner. Would you consider yourself someone likeable? Do you value friendship and loyalty?”

He chuckles a little. “Not sure if I’d be considered likeable or not. I wouldn’t be opposed, of course! And as for friendship and loyalty, hell YEAH, I value those! Seriously, if it weren’t for my friends and loved ones, I’d have cracked a long time ago. So if you guys are seen this…love you all!”

“Ah, interesting. Now for the final question, where do you see yourself headed in life? What are your goals, things you want to achieve?”

Travis runs his hands through his long red hair. “I don’t really try to think too much about the future. See, the regeneration thing’s kinda made me start thinking I might be immortal, and I keep thinking of what’d happen if I outlive everyone I care about… But goals? I just want my family to be safe, happy, and as un-traumatized as possible.”

Richard Dale leans forward, holding out a hand. “Thank you, Travis, for agreeing to this interview. It has been delightful.”

Travis shakes his hand once more, smiling. “Thanks for taking the time to interview me,”

You can find Travis and the Hell Bent series at the author's Amazon page or Facebook page. 

About the Author

K. Matt is a graduate of Philadelphia, PA's University of the Arts. Her interests in sci-fi, fantasy, horror, comics, and anime have inspired her to both write and illustrate her own work. 

The books in the Hell Bent series are a combination of prose and graphic novels, and tend to be a mixture of (somewhat soft) sci-fi, urban fantasy, and horror. It is something of a pet project for her, a pet that she feeds with time, and that feeds on her sleep. 

Her artwork can be found at kaylamatt.webs.com.

Book Spotlight: Assassin Marked

Today I have another book spotlight, this time for the sci-fi/fantasy novel Assassin Marked by Michael C. Sahd. Enjoy!

Assassin Marked by Michael C. Sahd

Damian DuFonte, a professional assassin working for the Crime Syndicate, just can't seem to get past his need for revenge. So when the only woman he's ever loved asks him not to kill one of their bosses, her pleas fall on deaf ears. Although Victoria may be willing to forgive this transgression, the Syndicate certainly will not.

To prove Victoria's loyalty, the Syndicate tasks her with leading a group to hunt him down. Somewhere in the solar system, on the outs with his lover and on the run from trained killers, Damian is ... an Assassin Marked.

Assassin Marked is available at:

Amazon

Author Bio:

Michael C. Sahd grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico. From a young age, he read voraciously, particularly in the fields of fantasy and science fiction. Shortly after becoming a teenager, he learned to play and enjoy fantasy games such as Dungeons and Dragons. At around the same time, he began writing stories and D&D campaigns of his own.

As an adult, Michael attended New Mexico University, studying in the fields of English and literature. During this time, he honed his writing skills and expanded his writing portfolio. Although he has completed numerous short stories, "Assassin Marked" marks his debut published work.

Currently, Michael lives with his wife and four children in a small town in Texas.

Book Spotlight: Conquest (The SciFan™ Universe Series Book 1)

Today I bring a delightful treat with a spotlight for the SciFan novel, Conquest (The SciFan™ Universe Series Book 1) by Aleric Elos. I have a look at the book and an excerpt, so enjoy!

 Conquest (The SciFan™ Universe Series Book 1)

by Aleric Elos

A primeval darkness threatens to destroy mankind...

The world's largest gaming platform in the entire industry is led by a man with many secrets. The popular game DarkForce features the World of Zion which has been plagued by the destructive will of the Leviathan for centuries. What gamers don't know is that the World of Zion actually exists, and the Leviathan has fed off of the souls of men and his fodder has become scarce. He now turns to Earth with an insatiable hunger. Only a woman from Earth who levels up to discover a divine inner power can challenge Earth's Apocalyptic Fate.

You can find Conquest on Amazon

Prologue

Shadows of Darkness

The voices in his mind were barely a whisper now, but they were always present. It had taken him hundreds of years to subdue them, and he feared that his true intentions would soon be discovered. Though Timur Demyan had long ago yielded up his soul unto the Leviathan, he still followed his own agenda while he fulfilled the will of his Master.

Timur hid in the shadows of the park, slipping through the darkness from one shadow to the next. His prey walked quickly with eyes darting to each side like a bird weary of predators. A frantic look of desperation was plastered over the other man’s unshaven face as he flipped open an antiquated cell phone.

“Come on…” he heard Jason Bridger murmur to the phone as he approached the fountain, “Answer already!”

“Allan, this is Jason. I know we haven’t spoken in a long time, but I need your help. I’ve stumbled across some disturbing information that involves one of your firm’s clients. I need to speak with you in private immediately. As soon as you get this, meet me on the east side of Buckingham Fountain. There’s little time.”

The instant Jason ended the call, Timur stepped out of the shadows, “Indeed, you have very little time.”

Jason spun around with his concealed pistol cocked and ready, “Back off, old man!”

“Ah,” Timur limped forward with his cane in his crippled right hand while he brandished a handgun with his left, “Not until you return what belongs to me.”

“I’m not letting you get away with this.” Jason shook his head adamantly.

“This scene is all too familiar.” Timur chuckled as he cocked his handgun and aimed, “This is exactly how your colleague died.”

Without a second’s hesitation, Jason pulled the trigger. Timur fell backwards with the sudden impact that hit him in the face. Seconds later a strange greenish glow surrounded his body, and then he disappeared. Jason’s eyes grew wide, and then a bullet ripped through his abdomen. And then another through his chest. Clutching the wounds, he absently dropped his pistol as he fell to his knees.

Timur reappeared from another shadow and the strange glow around his body began to dissipate. He approached with a silencer affixed to the tip of his handgun and picked up the old thumb drive that had fallen out of Jason’s hand.

“As I said earlier, you indeed have very little time.” Timur sneered as he placed the tip of his handgun against Jason’s forehead, “And I might add, your friend Allan has very little time as well.”

Author Bio:

Aleric Elos is the Award-Winning Author of The SciFan™ Universe series. He likes to play MMORPGs, and since he doesn't have the software engineering experience to develop his own games he decided to express his creativity in written form. 

You can find him on: 

Facebook   Twitter

Drabble Wednesday: The Return of Frankie and Joni

Today Drabble Wednesday goes back to the virtual world with the duo of Frankie and Joni…

Hologram Horror

“The quiet lays on me like a shroud, an ominous portent of the creeping night.” My words echoed through the VR chamber.

“Okay, fine and dandy, but are we going to do with the sea ghouls?”

“I was setting up a mood here, Frankie! Sheesh.” I sighed. “I don’t know. Stick them in the sky, hovering.”

“Um, that’s not what I meant.”

Uh oh. “What did you do?”

“I didn’t mean to. But we have extra ghouls.”

“Extra ghouls?” I looked up. Red eyes looked back at me.

“Frankie?”

“Yeah?”

“I think we should run.”

Then the surplus ghouls chuckled.

~*~

Ghouls vs. Zombies

The door slammed shut just in time. I leaned against the titan-steel door listening to sea ghouls shrieking on the other side. Frankie stood next to me, wheezing.

“How did we get those things in the program?”

“Probably—wheeze—from the hidden—wheeze—file.”

With dread I asked, “Hidden file? What hidden file?”

Frankie took a deep breath. “The one marked Thursday. I opened it.”

“Why would you do that?”

Frankie shrugged. “Curiosity. But don’t worry. The zombies will take care of the ghouls.”

“Zombies? What zombies? And who will take care of the zombies?”

“The flying monkeys, I imagine.”

~*~

How to Solve Your Flying Monkey Problem

“Are they still flinging their feces?”

Frankie stared at the screen. “No. Now they’re throwing ghoul bits and zombie heads. Told you they’d take care of the zombies.”

“Yes. And the ghouls and half the VR equipment!” I resisted the urge to punch him. “They’ll destroy the whole chamber, heck the whole complex, if we can’t stop them!”

“I’d send them away first.”

“You can send them away? As in get rid of them?”

“Yes. Figured it out yesterday.”

“Then why are they still here?”

“I like them. They’re cute. We needed new equipment anyway.”

“Frankie! Send them home. Now!”

© A. F. Stewart 2017 All Rights Reserved

Book Spotlight: Do You Believe In Legend?

Today I have a spotlight on the new release Do You Believe In Legend? by Ani Manjikian. This is a science fantasy novel, the second book in the Stars of Heros series. Enjoy!

Do You Believe In Legend? by Ani Manjikian

"Legend isn't about people. It's about pursuing a dream or higher ideal. About believing in something impossible and transforming the belief into reality through faith and hard work. The future is a legend written and unwritten."

Jo Mason believes that creativity, spontaneity, and faith exist as definable words, but not actionable items. Negative consequences always follow the rare positive outcomes. It seems her destiny is surviving a chaotic world she can't control. Hearing her own voice where she shouldn’t have leaves her wondering about her place in time.
Jeff has always been a part of her life, offering encouragements, wise words when she needed them, and many other things she can never completely thank him for. She knows he replaced her cousin who died saving his life. When she questions why he didn't get to stay with his family, Jeff replies that without fixing the timeline everything she knows would be different.
When Jeff’s twin brother Randy falls into her lap, both literally and figuratively, Jo hopes he can give her a better answer. There is only one slight problem… He doesn’t remember anything about himself or his life and what he does, doesn’t help.

Together, the three of them learn that life isn’t about who or what you know, but who and what you care for.

Do You Believe In Legend? is available at:

Amazon

Goodreads

Website Book Page

Author Bio:

From a harsh diagnosis of hydrocephalus at birth, Ani has developed into all-around person with the technical knowledge and analytical mind of a programmer, creative and detailed orientation of a writer, and aesthetic instincts of a photographer. Her writing career started when a friend in Cyprus made her promise to stop throwing away her writings because she thought they weren’t good enough.

Website   Goodreads

#‎B2BCYCON Interview With Author Rebecca P. McCray

Today I have another Brain to Books Cyber Convention author feature. Remember, this great event for authors and readers alike is coming to Goodreads this April, on the 8th, 9th and 10th.

Be sure to check out all the details and pertinent links for the event here:

http://www.angelabchrysler.com/brain-to-books-cyber-convention-2016/

Now on with the main event, our Brain to Books author feature.

Today I have a great interview with fantasy/sci-fi author Rebecca P. McCray.

Interview With Author Rebecca P. McCray

Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.

I’m something of an anomaly. I built a career (a job that pays the bills) in an analytical, detailed focused field, despite being a creative, big-picture person. What was I thinking? Since my imagination is generally in overdrive, I returned to writing after a hiatus and have thoroughly enjoyed creating a new world, developing my own species, and crafting a compelling storyline.

While I grew up in a mid-sized, southern US city, I developed a deep appreciation for differences in cultures, places, and people. My story adapted that interest into a melting pot for refugee species and that’s really how it all started.

Could you tell us a bit about your latest book?

My published book, The Journey of the Marked, is the first in an epic series. The genre is a hybrid between gritty sci-fi and fantasy. Most of the species and world are grounded in sci-fi norms, but there are a few distinctly fantasy elements and the overall “feel” of the story tends toward fantasy.

The story has a number of plots that separate and then intersect throughout the book. However, these can loosely fall into two main categories: 1) the adventure of five sixteen-year olds trying to reach a training camp and 2) the resulting experiences of their family and friends. The difficulties stem from the fact that these five teenagers are now being hunted by opponents attempting to stop them before they reach their goal.

What do you enjoy most about writing in the fantasy/sci-fi genre?

I enjoy the freedom. As I mentioned above, I have a very active imagination and the fantasy / sci-fi platform allows me to create so many new things: species, plants, creatures, etc. As well, I love removing myself from our own world and being thrown into something not completely different, but separate from our everyday life.

Who is your intended readership?

I wrote the story to include fantasy / sci-fi influences that appeal to readers of those genres, but at the same time, I kept it grounded enough that non-avid readers of those genres can still enjoy it. My initial goal was to write something for the YA reader group that would pique the interest of both genders. I’ve been delighted to find that the book appeals broadly across age groups.

Why did you write this book? What was your inspiration?

If I’m being honest, I wrote the book for me. I was looking for a way to take the crazy stories and characters in my head and mold them into a cohesive story. Not everyone will understand this, but I needed to write it. It was only after spending a few years working on and off the story that I realized others might very well enjoy it, too. Then, I got serious.

My inspiration results from the many stories we hear of bullying and persecution because of someone or a group being different. I wanted to create a world where there was an abundance of differences, but where each individual can add value in his or her own way.

Did anything surprise you about the process of writing your book?

One of my biggest focus areas has been writing a cohesive story. I don’t like loose ends. I like complex storylines. What surprised me is how much harder it is to keep track of all those little details than I thought it would be. I’m not much of a plotter, so I don’t outline or map out the details of the story ahead, though I have resorted to tracking details in arrears to be as certain as I can that I don’t leave an unintentionally unanswered question. Readers may be surprised by this, but I love when one of them says “I can’t wait to hear why X happened” or “I’m looking forward to knowing why X character did something.” The vast majority of the time, I’ve already anticipated the question and have an answer built into later books, but on occasion, one of them catches me off-guard because it’s something that I didn’t consider important. If it’s important to a reader, then it’s important to me.

When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

I started writing poetry as either a pre-teen or early teen. Short stories followed shortly thereafter. I knew very early that I loved writing. Unfortunately, an unexpected event threw me off track and it was only after a number of years that I returned to writing. In many ways, I think my writing is stronger than it would have been otherwise because of my experiences in those intervening years. Experience shapes who you are and what you believe and my background is clearly evident in my writing.

Do you have any amusing writing stories or anecdotes to share?

If Google has been monitoring my search habits, someone might be a little worried. Since I started writing, I’ve become an avid researcher of bladed weapons, as well as other devices. I was delighted the day I found a video on how to throw bolas.

What’s your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to reveal?

I’m writing the last few chapters of book two, The Training Camp. After that, it’s on to editing, but my goal is to publish it this year. Book two focuses on the development of characters from book one. You begin to see strengths of their species, as well as some unique abilities. Despite being at the camp, you might be surprised to find that they still face dangers.

Rebecca McCray is a financial consultant by day and fantasy world-builder by night. Her debut novel, The Journey of the Marked, was a finalist in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. She enjoys building out a world that is a cross between high-fantasy and gritty sci-fi and plans to publish the second novel in the series in 2016.

As well, she contributed a Miyran Heir short story to a compilation, Awethology Light. Besides being an avid reader, she loves to travel and experience new cultures.

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The Journey of the Marked by Rebecca P. McCray

The mark means honor. The mark invites death.

On a distant planet, Eros thrives in the Human settlement he calls home. Raised to follow his grandfather’s noble footsteps, he studies the details of each species that co-exist here. But when the mark appears, he’s called to fight, which changes his life forever.

Forced to abandon his home, the mark makes him the hunted. He’s attacked the night he arrives in the city. A tough, street fighter named Kenrya saves his life. When they join others on the same journey, her cynical attitude drives a wedge between the group.

Given the perils facing them, can they put aside their differences and trust each other long enough to survive?

Discover this epic adventure where an individual’s unique abilities can change the course of the future.

Find it on Amazon: www.smarturl.it/journeyofthemarked

I'd like to thank Rebecca P. McCray for stopping by today, and be sure to check out her virtual booth at the convention this April.