Brian Kirk We Are Monsters - Author Interview and {Giveaway}

CM: First of all, I would like to thank Brian for joining me today and taking the time for this interview.

Well that sure is nice. I’m happy to chat with you and appreciate the time you’re taking for this as well. Look at us! We’re on our way to becoming proper chums. 

CM: Your new novel, We Are Monsters, came out in July to wide praise. Congrats! Can you tell us a little about it?

Yes, and thank you. We Are Monsters is my debut novel, literally making it a dream come true. Although all books are basically dreams that have come true when you really think about it. I mean, isn’t a book basically the end result of someone extracting the contents of some subconscious dream-state into the material realm. But that’s off topic, and perhaps too esoteric for this early on in the interview. My apologies.

We Are Monsters is a story about a brilliant, yet troubled psychiatrist named Alex Drexler who is working to create a cure for schizophrenia. At first, the drug he creates shows great promise in alleviating his patient’s symptoms. It appears to return schizophrenics to their former selves. But (as you may imagine) something goes wrong. Unforeseen side effects begin to emerge, forcing prior traumas to the surface, setting inner demons free. His medicine may help heal the schizophrenic mind, but it also expands it, and the monsters it releases could be more dangerous than the disease.

I am overwhelmed by the reception it has received so far from readers, professional critics, and some of my favorite authors who have been kind enough to endorse it, including Mercedes M. Yardley, John F.D. Taff, Jonathan Moore, and Brian Keene. 

CM: Was there an inspiration behind the writing of We Are Monsters? 

I’ve always been fascinated by mental illness. The idea that our own brains can turn against us is terrifying. It’s the ultimate enemy; it knows our deepest secrets and it’s something we can’t escape. 

I also have a great deal of sympathy for people who suffer mental heath disorders. I’ve dealt with OCD all of my life, which produces chronic anxiety, negative thought loops, and periods of depression. No fun, I’ll tell you. And I feel that mental disease is misunderstood by our society at large. In fact, many people who are mentally ill are often labeled as evil or deranged, which I feel is unfair, and precludes us from exploring proper treatment options. 

I suppose I found the subject both fascinating and deeply personal, and I wanted to explore it further, so I wrote about it. 

CM: This is your debut novel, but I also read in your bio that you are a freelance writer. Was breaking into writing fiction difficult for you? 

I grew up a voracious reader with a love for telling stories. But then I went to college and figured it was time to put aside this frivolous pastime and get serious about pursuing a “career.” I studied marketing and took a job at an ad agency, which was the most creative line of work I could find that paid real money. But it wasn’t fulfilling. I was miserable. I still had this intense desire to tell stories that wouldn’t go away. 

So I started writing short stories in the evenings and on the weekends, and then I began submitting them for publication. After accruing a massive stack of rejections for a couple of years, I finally sold one. Then another. After a while I decided to quit my full time job at the ad agency to work freelance and write a book. That’s how We Are Monsters came about.

CM: Do you have aspirations to write in other genres besides horror?

I aspire to tell stories that are entertaining, meaningful, and emotionally engaging. For some reason these stories typically have dark underpinnings, and most likely always will to varying degrees. I don’t really think in terms of genre, however, until it comes time to find a market for the story. 

I’m currently working on a trilogy of dark sci-fi thrillers, so I’ve already strayed outside of horror a bit. Although there are sections within each book that are certainly horrific. 

CM: Have you been inspired by any particular books or movies? What is your favorite horror novel and/or movie? 

I’m always finding inspiration through others’ work. I love to read books that are so good they intimidate me and make me feel helplessly inferior. That’s where inspiration comes from. David Mitchell is an author who does this for me on a regular basis. Cloud Atlas made me want to quit writing, then made me want to do it better. Quentin Tarantino provides the same kind of inspiration on the film side. 

Regarding my favorite horror novel, I’d say The Stand by Stephen King, with Peter Straub’s Ghost Story being a close second. 

My favorite horror movie is The Shining, with Event Horizon being a close second.

CM: What books would we find on your nightstand? Any recommendations (besides your own book, of course)? 

Right now you’d find Edge of Dark Water by Joe R. Lansdale, who is quickly becoming my favorite contemporary writer. There’s nothing he can’t do. I keep a recommended reading page on my website where I write about books that have inspired me. His novel Mucho Mojo made the list, and here’s what I had to say about Lansdale, whom I highly recommend to readers of all kinds.

There are many reasons why you should be reading Joe R. Lansdale. Here are a few:

• He writes like Ernest Hemingway, but is more fun to read. Thus, by extension, and in my humble opinion, he is a better writer than Hemingway.
• He embodies the best qualities of a writer. He’s incredibly talented, but does not rest on talent alone. Read his writing advice and you’ll soon learn he maintains his prolific pace the same way a construction worker builds tract homes. By waking up at the crack of dawn with a lunch pale and a hard hat and going to work. He doesn’t wait for inspiration to come.
• He can, and does, write anything he wants, crossing genres and making up some of his own. You like horror, westerns, sci-fi, or literary books? You’ll like Lansdale.
• He can make you laugh, make you cry, and scare the living shit out of you.
• He is constantly churning out books, and they’re all really good.

Another writer to keep an eye on is Jonathan Moore. His debut novel Redheads was a Bram Stoker Award® finalist and received the praise of Jack Ketchum. His follow-up Close Reach was one of my favorite novels of the year. And his next release The Poison Artist, which comes out in January 2016, has received advance praise from Lee Child, Justin Cronin, and the almighty Stephen King. I have it pre-ordered and can’t wait for it to arrive. 

CM: And last, but not least, what do you have in store for your readers next?

Thanks for asking. First, I have a new short story titled Picking Splinters From a Sex Slave coming out in the anthology, Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories, alongside two of my idols: Clive Barker and Neil Gaiman. When one of the editors, Doug Murano, announced the story he said, “This is the kind of story that starts book burning parties,” which leads me to believe the story works. I’m honored to be part of this project, and can’t wait for the anthology to come out.

In addition, I am currently working on the second book in a trilogy of dark sci-fi thrillers. The first book is complete and currently in the hands of a literary agent whom I’ve recently signed with. We are putting the final touches on the book and plan to submit it to publishers early next year. 

CM: Thanks again for joining me today, Brian. I look forward to hosting you and your books in the future here at Castle Macabre.

Thank you for having me! And I look forward to being back.

In the meantime, I invite anyone interested to connect with me through one of the following channels. Don’t worry. I only kill my characters.

Brian Kirk

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

About We Are Monsters
Samhain Horror (July 7, 2015)

The Apocalypse has come to the Sugar Hill mental asylum.

He’s the hospital’s newest, and most notorious, patient—a paranoid schizophrenic who sees humanity’s dark side.

Luckily he’s in good hands. Dr. Eli Alpert has a talent for healing tortured souls. And his protégé is working on a cure for schizophrenia, a drug that returns patients to their former selves. But unforeseen side effects are starting to emerge. Forcing prior traumas to the surface. Setting inner demons free.

Monsters have been unleashed inside the Sugar Hill mental asylum. They don’t have fangs or claws. They look just like you or me.

About the author

Brian Kirk lives in Atlanta with his beautiful wife and rambunctious identical twin boys. He works as a freelance writer in addition to writing fiction, and is currently working on the second book in a planned trilogy. We Are Monsters is his debut release. Feel free to connect with him online. Don't worry, he only kills his characters.

See more about Brian at: http://briankirkblog.com/

Follow Brian on Facebook and Twitter. He's found on Twitter at @Brian_Kirk and looks forward to connecting with you.

Praise for We Are Monsters
“Keep an eye on Brian Kirk. His ambitious debut, We Are Monsters, is a high-voltage thrill, like watching Sam Fuller’s Shock Corridor and Joel Schumacher’s Flatliners on split screens. ” — Jonathan Moore, Bram Stoker Award nominated author of Redheads

"We Are Monsters is fantastic -- a frightening and intense thriller and one hell of a debut novel. I was blown away. Brian Kirk is exactly what readers need -- a talented new voice with original, awe-inspiring ideas that can push the genre forward."
-Brian Keene, best-selling author of Ghoul and The Rising

"Brian Kirk's debut We Are Monsters is a smart, elaborate novel that weaves together the best and worst of us. Complex, terrifying, and still humane, this book moved me to both horror and compassion, and that's a difficult thing indeed. Easily the best book I've read this year." (Mercedes M. Yardley, author of Pretty Little Dead Girls: A Novel of Murder and Whimsy.)

"A tightly woven tale from an author who has a heart, and that makes me excited to see what else Kirk has in store for us. The whole story will have you examining the human race as never before." (Ginger Nuts of Horror)

"Brian Kirk's debut novel We Are Monsters is a sure bet. A hippy-trippy jaunt that goes deep into the baser things we keep bottled up... and what happens when they're freed. Highly recommended!" (John F.D. Taff, Bram Stoker nominated author of The End In All Beginnings.)

"A disturbing, gets-under-your-skin debut novel. I expect to read much more from Kirk in the future." (Robert Ford, author of The Compound and Samson and Denial.)


"Cleverly told. Psychologically complex." (Scarlet's Web)

"A gorgeous display of conceivable terror that resonates long after reading." (Ranked as one of the Top Ten Horror Novels of 2015 by Best-Horror-Movies.net)

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Giveaway
Enter via the Rafflecopter from below to win a $25 Amazon gift card from Brian Kirk! You can perform several tasks for entering each day here or at each stop that posts the giveaway link. Best of luck! Hurry...giveaway ends in three days!
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Hunter Shea's The Dover Demon - Blog Tour and Author Interview {Giveaway}

A trip Hunter Shea made to the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine two years ago sparked the idea for THE DOVER DEMON. While he was there, he met famed cryptozoologist, Loren Coleman and talked about creatures he’s personally investigated. It turns out, he was the man on the scene in Dover, MA in the late 70s when the uber strange biped was spotted by several people over the course of two nights in April, Hunter reported. He also gave it its name, Dover Demon.

Now, Hunter’s fictional world of The Dover Demon has been published as a novel and he was able to go back to the museum of cryptids in August and have a launch party for the book with Loren Coleman! To read more about that and see photos, head over to his site via this link: http://huntershea.com/2015/08/30/the-dover-demon-raises-his-round-little-head-cryptid-novel-release-day/

Follow along the tour using the hashtags #TheDoverDemon #HunterSheaLovesCryptids #Monsters #Cryptozoology #cryptids

Interview with Hunter Shea

CM: First of all, I would like to thank Hunter for joining me today and taking the time for this interview.

Hunter: Thank you so much for having me here! We writers love getting out of the lair every now and then and talking to the living. ;)

CM: Your new novel, The Dover Demon, was recently released. Congrats! Can you tell us a little about it?

Hunter: The Dover Demon is based on an actual sighting of a strange creature over a two night period in 1977 in the bucolic town of Dover, MA. Six teenagers saw an upright, skinny, peach-colored being with a bulbous head and large, orange eyes in the woods in three different locations. What today we might call an alien or Gray, back then was an unknown animal or perhaps paranormal entity. It truly frightened the witnesses, and no one has ever recanted their story.

With my book, I ask the question – what if it was seen by other teens those nights, and what they saw was so perplexing, so terrifying, they were not only too afraid to tell anyone, but it also changed the course of their lives? It’s present day, those teens are in their 50’s and the Dover Demon is back!

CM: Was there an inspiration behind the writing of Dover Demon? 

Hunter: I was visiting the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, ME and got to talking with the owner, famed cryptozoologist Loren Coleman. I was writing my cryptid book, The Montauk Monster, at the time. I asked him if there was a cryptid that didn’t get enough love and attention. He pointed me to the Dover Demon. He was on the scene in 1977 when the news broke and gave it its name. How could I resist? Plus, the story itself is so strange, almost otherworldly. I was hooked from the get-go.

CM: Horror is a great genre, but have you ever thought about writing in a different genre? Perhaps historical fiction or mainstream fiction? If yes, what would you write about?

Hunter: Absolutely. I’ve been mulling over a few non-horror ideas for a couple of years now. I’ve led an unconventional life, always shunning the easy road. I think because of that, I’ve had several lifetimes of experiences, both wondrous and strange. I’d like to write a mainstream novel about a family going through hard times and how they cope, or don’t cope, with the obstacles they face or even put in their own way. My wife and one daughter are handicapped, and I keep leaning toward writing something about coping with those challenges that goes beyond not sweating the small stuff. We’ve been through hell together, and I don’t think we’d be as strong a family without those diversities. Any kind of debilitating ailment takes its toll on the person with it and the people who love them. I think we’ve done a pretty good job facing everything. Maybe there’s something we can teach others going through the same thing.

CM: Over the past few months, I’ve read Island of the Forbidden and Tortures of the Damned, two novels I enjoyed immensely. How do these books differ from The Dover Demon? 

Hunter: If I was to categorize them and drop them in buckets, they would be Ghosts, Apocalypse, Cryptids. Island is the third in a series of novels I’ve written about a ghost hunting family. When I walk into that world, it feels familiar, like coming back home to a haunted house. Tortures is a non-stop thriller with real-life horrors. With The Dover Demon, you get a cool monster story, with that little niggling knowledge that it’s based on something real, which makes it all the more terrifying.

CM: I read in your Goodreads bio that you’re an amateur cryptozoologist. I think that’s incredibly cool! I’ve always had a fascination with Bigfoot (I wrote a report on it when I was in the 7th grade) and I’ve passed that fascination on to my 14 year old son. Have you learned anything interesting in the field that I can report to my son? 

Hunter: Yes, with all the technology we have at our disposal, we still, incredibly, don’t have many answers. No matter. I like to think that our world is vaster and stranger than we think. I’m beginning to fall into the rising school of thought that things like UFOs, ghosts and cryptids/monsters all come from the same nebulous place. People who study these phenomena need to pool their resources and see all of the commonalities. I don’t know what it all means, but I think it may be hiding in plain sight.

CM: Tell us a little bit about your Monster Men podcast with Jack Campisi. What can we expect when we tune in? And how do we tune in, by the way? 

Hunter: The Monster Men is two guys who love horror. We talk about movies, books, monsters, going on ghost hunts, interviewing people who create fresh horrors and just have a lot of fun with it. The list of people who want to be on the show is enormous now! We’ve had to step up our game so we can meet the demand. Expect a ton more interviews with authors and directors very soon. You can find us on our YouTube channel, Monster Men 13, or our website, www.themonstermen.net. We’re the most watched video horror podcast in the world and coming up on our 100th episode!

CM: Have you been inspired by any particular books or movies? What is your favorite horror novel and/or movie? 

Hunter: I’m inspired by tons of horror books and movies. It’s impossible to pick one or even a few out of the bunch. They all banded together to make me who I am. I do love Robert McCammon’s Boy’s Life. Pure perfection in storytelling. Some of my favorite movies are Alien, The Haunting, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and The Funhouse.

CM: What books would we find on your nightstand? Any recommendations (besides your own books, of course)? 

Hunter: Got a few on the nightstand now that it’s Horrortober. For horror I have Darkness Rising by Brian Moreland, The Deep by Nick Cutter, We Are Monsters by Brian Kirk. I also have a Joe Picket novel by C.J. Box, going to reread The Garden of Eden by Hemingway and a few others at the bottom of the pile. There is never a shortage of reading material in my house.

CM: And last, but not least, what do you have in store for your readers next?

Hunter: Well, in 2016 I’ll have another cryptid novel out through Pinnacle. I can’t reveal the monster yet, but I know it will have people excited. My next Samhain novella, I Kill in Peace, will be released in April. This is a total departure for me and I took some big chances. It won’t be for the faint of heart and definitely not for the politically correct. I’m also hoping that my first novel for Severed Press, They Rise, will be out next year, too. It’s a sea monster book that is just flat out crazy.

CM: Thanks again for joining me today, Hunter. I look forward to many more years of great horror to share here at Castle Macabre.

Hunter: Thank you! Keep on flying the horror flag!

About The Dover Demon

File Size: 1032 KB
Print Length: 242 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (September 1, 2015)
Publication Date: September 1, 2015

The Dover Demon is real…and it has returned.

In 1977, Sam Brogna and his friends came upon a terrifying, alien creature on a deserted country road. What they witnessed was so bizarre, so chilling, they swore their silence. But their lives were changed forever.

Decades later, the town of Dover has been hit by a massive blizzard. Sam’s son, Nicky, is drawn to search for the infamous cryptid, only to disappear into the bowels of a secret underground lair. The Dover Demon is far deadlier than anyone could have believed. And there are many of them. Can Sam and his reunited friends rescue Nicky and battle a race of creatures so powerful, so sinister, that history itself has been shaped by their secretive presence?

Purchase~

Amazon

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Samhain

Praise for Hunter Shea~

“This wholly enthralling hulk of a summer beach read is redolent of sunscreen and nostalgia, recalling mass market horror tales of yore by John Saul, Dean Koontz, and Peter Benchley.” — Publishers Weekly — Voted one of the best reads of summer, on The Montauk Monster

“Bloody good read! This guy knows his monsters!”- Eric S Brown, author of Bigfoot War and Boggy Creek: The Legend is True, on Swamp Monster Massacre

Hunter Shea Biography~
Hunter Shea is the author of the novels The Montauk Monster, Tortures of the Damned, Sinister Entity, Forest of Shadows, Swamp Monster Massacre, Evil Eternal, and The Dover Demon. His stories have appeared in numerous magazines, including Dark Moon Digest, Morpheus Tales, and the Cemetery Dance anthology, Shocklines : Fresh Voices in Terror. He’s currently working on or completed a few more manuscripts set to come.

His obsession with all things horrific has led him to real life exploration of the paranormal, interviews with exorcists and other things that would keep most people awake with the lights on.

Hunter is proud to be be one half of the Monster Men video podcast, along with his partner in crime, Jack Campisi. It is one of the most watched horror video podcasts in the world. Monster Men is a light hearted approach to dark subjects. Hunter and Jack explore real life hauntings, monsters, movies, books and everything under the horror sun. They often interview authors, cryptid and ghost hunters, directors, and anyone else living in the horror lane.

He lives in New York with his family and vindictive cat. He waits with Biblical patience for the Mets to win a World Series. You can read about his latest travails and communicate with him at www.huntershea.com or find him on Facebook and Twitter.

Giveaway~
On this tour, win one signed print copy of The Dover Demon if you are in the U.S.! Just sign-up at the Rafflecopter link below:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MjMxYWEzMGI1ZDE2MGYyYTgzYjk4NzVhYzhmMTdmOjIx/?

Amy Lignor's The Sapphire Storm -- Interview and {Contest}

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I was born and raised in an extremely small town in Northwest Connecticut. One of those towns where watching the leaves change was really the only big event to look forward to every year. (LOL) I grew up writing and researching. My mother is a career librarian, so books were definitely my thing. I love being inside a library; the smell of the books is as addictive to me as the smell of the ice is to a hockey player. I love history, I am a movie fanatic, and I am Mom to the most amazingly smart and beautiful girl on the planet. I love humour (sarcasm, but in a nice way), and I basically just get a real kick out of life.

Where did you come up with the idea for your new book?

I worked in a somewhat dull industry for a few years to pay the bills, and a co-worker and I were sitting in the office one day during the holiday season. No one was there; no phones were ringing, so we had coffee and chatted, and she began talking about her horoscope. She looked up this site to see what was coming up for her and I spotted a strange notation about the 13thsign. That night, literally, a monumental puzzle formed inside my mind. That was the night Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery were born. ‘The Sapphire Storm’ came to me in a dream, if you can believe that, about a very famous cave.

How did you come up with your characters?

‘Tallent & Lowery’ came from that original puzzle. I could see Leah Tallent extremely clearly. She works in the building I desperately want to live in (NYPL). She’s on the sarcastic side, and she has this card catalogue of a mind that I so admire about librarians. Gareth Lowery was created to be her opposite. I needed to create a man that was strong, courageous and intelligent, but did not have that overwhelming ego you see so much in literature. Leah needed to meet someone who she could banter with, teach, yet learn from all at the same time. So his strength and his back story formed in my mind after Leah’s was already complete. I get a kick out of fans who ask if he’s real because they want to marry him. I completely understand; I want to marry him too. But, alas, not real. If there is one that charming out there, please let me know. (LOL)

Who did you show your first draft to and why?

My mother reads all of my first drafts. She is a career librarian and she cannot lie—seriously. You can tell by her expression if she can’t stand something. And seeing as that she’s read everything (this is a woman who reads about ten books a week minimum), she can always tell me if something’s already been over-explored, or changes need to be made, or something essential is required to enhance a story. So when she read ‘Tallent & Lowery’ for the first time and she literally couldn’t put it down, I knew I was on to something.

Do you have plans for a follow-up?

There have been three adventures for ‘Tallent and Lowery’ thus far: ‘13’, ‘The Sapphire Storm’, and now ‘The Hero’s Companion’, and there are seven scheduled for the series. I am now working on Book 4: ‘The Charlatan’s Crown’.

Open your book to a random page and tell us the first paragraph…

“The humming stopped. The jewels in the weapon blinked softly, looking like a million blue eyes just watching and waiting for the only one in this world who was permitted to hold it in their steady hands. As the snowflakes around him turned blue in the ancient light, the chamber once again grew peaceful . . . reverent . . . quiet—what it must feel like right before someone dies. And as sleep overtook him, Emmanuel begged the ‘powers that be’ to lead Leah Tallent safely through the sapphire storm.”

What is your favourite movie?

This is so difficult. Like my mother is with books, I have to see every movie that comes out. I am a nut about movies. I have a favourite for each and every genre, and even Top Ten lists for each genre are almost impossible for me to make up. The movie I’ve watched the most over the years, however, is the ‘Indiana Jones’ series.

What do you like to read?

Good books. (LOL) Reviewing for so many magazines and companies, I get a great deal; but my favourite author is Dean Koontz. He is the only writer I’ve seen who can scare me to death and in the middle of the scene throw in a dry joke that has me cracking up while still looking around to see if something or someone is watching me. The man is unbelievably gifted. Runner-up I give to Preston & Child and their amazingly addictive character, Aloysius Pendergast.

Where do you go to escape?

Directly into my books. I work out of a den with emerald-green walls and I walk in, boot up, get the coffee on, and travel into such amazing worlds with my characters that writing becomes not only my passion but my escape.

Do you have any pets?

A huge behemoth of a dog named Rueben, who’s both my critic and friend. He sits in that den with me and if I read something out loud he doesn’t like I receive sighs and snorts. If he likes where I’m going, his ears remain up and he looks truly happy. The only other time he looks happy is when ‘Sleepy Hollow’ is on TV – so...not quite sure what’s going on in my best friend’s brain. He could be as crazy as me. (LOL)

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

So cliché, but this is an extremely tough industry. There are sharks in the water, there are hero’s who are so supportive they will be the best, most amazing friends you will ever make, and it’s a true roller-coaster ride. Just like life, writing can be a rough road. So, please make sure when you create your books, you are not thinking about agents or publishers while you write. If you love writing it has to come directly from your soul. Then the book will be published and the reader will know you gave it your all!

Would you recommend self-publishing or main stream publishing for first time novelists?

I have always stuck to traditional publishing. In this day and age it’s much easier because you can self-publish, but if you want to reach the masses or make this into a career one day, traditional publishers (although far more difficult to land), are the people who can help you do just that.

Where can we find you online?

I love talking to readers and writers. You can find me at:

https://www.facebook.com/alignor

http://tallentandlowery.blogspot.com/

http://the-angel-chronicles.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @HelloWritersAmy

www.TheWriteCompanion.com

http://www.pinterest.com/amylignor/

Or send a letter to amylignor(at)hotmail.com with ‘Reader Question’ in the Subject Line. I’d love to hear from you!

Purchase Links for the print & digital versions of Tallent & Lowery:

Amazon

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Goodreads

About the book

Title: The Sapphire Storm
Series: Tallent & Lowery
Author: Amy Lignor
Publisher: Suspense Publishing 
Formats Available In: Digital and Print
Release Date: March 5, 2013

After going up against a man who believed he was the Devil, himself, the beloved characters from 13 - Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery - are beyond exhausted. Now they are about to embark on the most terrifying journey imaginable…a trip to meet Leah’s parents. When Leah arrives where the ‘home fires burn,’ her sarcasm burns even brighter, while Gareth Lowery - the handsome adventurer - uses his charm to sway the ‘odd’ Tallent clan. But when a frightening call from Gareth’s sister arrives telling him that her love has disappeared, the daring duo is soon running away from one horrific situation directly into another. A new puzzle from the past has come to life. Following clues left behind, the courageous couple becomes embedded in a world filled with liars, killers and greed.

And when the riddle of a famous ‘Bard’ is solved, a strange woman appears who has far more in common with Leah than she can possibly imagine! The heart-stopping suspense of this new quest takes them from Coptic Cairo to the magical world of Petra, in search of a cave deep underground that once housed a true ‘Illuminator.’

Yet again, they must find the answers and stay one step ahead of true villains who are determined to make sure that – this time – Tallent & Lowery do not survive.

Excerpt

Nothing mattered now except getting to the end of his journey…

A thunderous crash from up above sent Emmanuel’s heart into overdrive. The harsh winds had apparently slammed shut the door of rock that’d been built to protect the Treasury.

As he reached through the barrier of sapphire light to grab the object in front of him, Emmanuel screamed in pain as his flesh began to sizzle. Immediately, he ripped his hand from the ball of pulsating light and watched the steam rise off his now blackened fingers. A pair of cold blue eyes appeared and sent an evil hiss into the room.

Emmanuel found himself in a state of shock as the illusion simply disappeared. Holding his breath as pinpricks of yellow light appeared through the sapphire glow, he was mesmerized; they looked like tiny suns trapped in an intense blue sky. The excruciating pain of his burned flesh was forgotten when words appeared before his eyes. On and off like a light switch, the golden names materialized and danced along the shaft of the ancient weapon.

“I need Gareth Lowery,” Emmanuel whispered; his voice sounded foreign to him in the suddenly terrifying room.

Harsh winds raced down the staircase and pelted Emmanuel with shards of ice. He covered his face, trying to stop the sleet from blinding him, as the large weapon suddenly sliced through the air and knocked Emmanuel to his knees.

The golden names flashed brighter and brighter—faster and faster—familiar names from an ancient world. A shrill bell pealed through the room and Emmanuel covered his ears, as the chamber began to shake and mounds of snow cascaded down the narrow staircase like a white waterfall; an avalanche that successfully cut off any chance he had of escape . . . or rescue.

The rod hit the ceiling of the chamber and then plummeted to the floor. Emmanuel winced, praying it wouldn’t snap in two as it crashed to the ground. But the object simply stopped its descent, taking its original place between the two famous men. The sapphire light immediately dimmed and Emmanuel raised his gaze to stare through the now soft, blue beam, recognizing the one and only name that was now etched in golden script at the top of the shaft.

Emmanuel gasped. “It’s her?”

Crawling over to the staircase that was now buried by snow, he peered into the small pipe that stuck out from the wall. Emmanuel felt the pulse of the sapphire light coming from the center of the room; it felt as if the object was breathing. And once again he stared at her name, woven like a golden signature into the sapphire rod.

Closing his eyes, Emmanuel shoved his burned, raw hand into the snow bank that now barred his way to freedom. As his fingers went numb, he thought about the woman with eyes the exact same color of the magical artifact, and hope beat inside Emmanuel’s chest. She was brilliant. After all, she was the one who found Gareth the missing pieces of the puzzle that’d led him straight to the gate. It had been her strength, courage and wisdom that’d carried them through the darkness of a maniac’s mind in order to survive the first time . . . Her!

As a picture of the lovely lady appeared in his mind, Emmanuel smiled. She’d figure it out. After all, there was no better choice than a brilliant librarian who never took the facts at face value to follow in the footsteps of Shakespeare.

Emmanuel put his mouth against the pipe and screamed, “Leah!”

The shout echoed through the ancient pipes, and Emmanuel closed his eyes. His insides grew numb as the air inside the chamber began to freeze his soul.

“Leah,” his voice cracked. “Please help me.”

As the snowflakes around him turned blue, the chamber one again turned peaceful . . . reverent . . . quiet—what it must feel like right before someone dies. And as sleep overtook him, Emmanuel begged any and all ‘powers that be’ to help lead Leah Tallent safely through the sapphire storm.

Reviews

Ms. Lignor penned another great novel that grabs you immediately and takes you on the ride of your life. In this sequel to the novel, 13, we find Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery heading to Leah’s parents’ house in Connecticut for the Christmas holiday.

This is the last place that Leah really wants to be right now, but Gareth is trying to convince her that it’ll only be for a few days. While kicking off the festivities, Gareth receives an unexpected call from his sister, Kathryn, and finds her hysterical on the other end of the phone. She says that her fiancé, Emmanuel, has gone off on some exhibition and he hasn’t called to check in with her. She feels that something is seriously wrong and fears that he could even be dead. Gareth explains his situation to the Tallent family and tells them that it’s a matter of life or death and unfortunately, he must leave. It’s at this moment Tallent & Lowery’s adventure truly begins. I loved this second story in the series and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next adventure.

Ms. Lignor has a way of interweaving historical facts with legends and she adds just enough magic to make you devour the pages in record time. This sequel is a fantastic addition to this amazing series. I highly recommend it! – Night Owl Reviews “TOP PICK”

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“A flat-out, slam-dunk, no-questions-asked-terrific-adventure. Try not to turn the pages too fast because the wonderfully complex characters deserve your time! This is truly a magical story that had me in its thrall from the very first page. It’s so exciting to discover a new talent like Lignor and have more books to look forward to.”—International Bestseller, M.J. Rose

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“Full of mystery, wrapped up in just enough historical fact to make it all seem so real, and with plenty of sizzle between the two main characters, “The Sapphire Storm” is a definite winner!” —Ellen Feld, The Feathered Quill

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“This masterfully told page turner is fresh, innovative, descriptive, and intense but I must warn you, prepare to stay up late because it’s not a story you can easily put down. I was blown away by Ms. Lignor’s knowledge and imagination and can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. I want more!!!!” —Cat Kalen, author of the RT’s ‘Top Pick’ Pride Series

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“After the brilliance of “13,” book one in the series, it would take a jewel to outshine it. Amy Lignor finds that jewel with “The Sapphire Storm.” It is a storm of brilliant writing and amazing characters. I cannot wait for the next installment of the Tallent & Lowery series. Encore!” —J.M. LeDuc, author of “Cursed Days”

The Big Thrill Magazine Feature (November Issue)

Purchase Links:

Amazon EBook
Amazon Paperback
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble Paperback

About the author
The daughter of a career librarian, Amy Lignor’s first love has always been books. She began her career in publishing as the Editor-in-Chief of Grey House Publishing. Working in the industry for twenty years, she is now the Owner/Operator of ‘The Write Companion’, an editorial house offering authors a range of services.

Appointed the Editor-in-Chief of a brand new traditional publisher–Hallowed Ink Press–Amy somehow finds the time to do it all while still putting out the most amazing series that has received every ‘Top Pick’ readers can think of!

Her popular YA Series: The Angel Chronicles (Until Next Time, Gilded Wings & A Privilege), introduced her to fans who now wait with bated breath for the next ‘Tallent & Lowery’ suspense/thriller to arrive.

Inducted into the International Thriller Writers Organization, Amy is also a writer/contributor for various magazines, companies, and review organizations; Authorlink, The Feathered Quill, Suspense Magazine and more.

www.tallentandlowery.blogspot.com

AMY’S SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Facebook
Twitter
Website
GoodReads

Check Out Amy Lignor’s HIT YA Series at:

The Angel Chronicles website
The Angel Chronicles Facebook page

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Page Turner Book Tours--Airion by J.S. Council {Interview}

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Jessika S. Council. I am a 25-year-old college graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in Creative Writing – Fiction. I was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina but I’ve lived in Durham, North Carolina with my mother and brother most of my life. I currently live, work, and write in Japan and will be here for a few years yet unless the current wave of events are drastically altered from their path in the near future.

Where did you come up with the idea for your new book?

Amazingly, it was a water leak in my dorm room’s floor that started the wheels turning for this book. My dorm had a carpeted floor and, in the corner, there was a wet spot that just kept getting bigger. Not too long after, as if by fate, I saw an episode of ‘Courage the Cowardly Dog’ about this water world you could get to by jumping into puddles of water. Airion was born from there. 

How did you come up with your characters?

I brainstorm my main character bios in My Journey (My writer’s Journal) before I start writing the piece. Although I am usually a very disorganized person, when it comes to writing, I like to lay everything out at the beginning. There are times, however, that I find myself feeling spontaneous. That moment when the urge to add a new face to the scene just threatens to overtake me. 

Who did you show your first draft to and why? 

I showed the very first draft of my novel to my mother. She has always been there for me and, from the beginning of my adventures as a writer, she has been my biggest fan and cheerleader. With that said, she has a mean editing eye as well. 

Do you have plans to a follow up?

I have finished round two of the editing process for Airion: Light and Dawn. I am currently looking for Beta Readers to help polish this novel, so if you are interested please shoot me an email at jscouncil@yahoo.com. I will reveal the cover for this novel in late summer and release the Airion: Light and Dawn to the world in early fall. In the mean time, ideas are flowing for book 3 in the series, Airion: Strange Ruins. It is still in the Writer’s Journal stages and I won’t start writing that one until after the fall release. 

Open your book to a random page and tell us the first paragraph…

The morning’s training session was surprisingly intense. Kobi had expected to just pick up where he left off, but Kaiyen was still out with twelve of Zire’s finest warriors searching the City of Zire for any remaining Cellians. So Winiki was back training with Kloud on her own while Kobi and Trayn worked together once again. But Trayn’s method of teaching was even faster and more intense than Kloud’s lessons were. 

What is your favourite movie?

That is a loaded question. It changes every year… Hmmm…. I’ll say that the Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of my all time favorites. 

What do you like to read?

I like to read Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction. I also like to read Japanese Manga (comics) in Japanese. 

Where do you go to escape?

I usually go back to my hometown in North Carolina.

Do you have any pets?

I have a Chihuahua/Rat Terrier mix named Tiny. She is the cutest, sweetest, and best dog ever!

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

• Set a head goal, or a main focus, and then create ‘stepping stone’ goals to get to it. Remember, a book is created one chapter at a time. 
• Know your trade and read everything. I become the most motivated and creative in my writing when I read works accomplished by others.
• Never doubt yourself and never give up because the ideas aren’t coming to you as fast as you would like. They’ll come, and when they do, it’ll blow your mind. Trust me.

Would you recommend self-publishing or mainstream publishing for first time novelists?

I’m a first time novelist who self-published my debut novel. If you want to know the business and have complete control over everything, if you are good at marketing or willing to learn quickly how to get yourself out there, by all means, Self-publishing is the more profitable and more self satisfactory option. But we are still living in the days of traditional publishing. They do most of the hard stuff for you and can get you into stores and other places that can be difficult to crack into as a self-published author. I would say, if you are willing to wait until you find agent and they find a publisher for you, and if you are willing to step back after you’ve found them and let them have full reign over your work (cover, editing, etc.), then it would be worth it just to get your feet wet. 

Where can we find you online?

Paperback
CreateSpace: Amazon: Amazon UK: Barnes&Nobles: Ailibris: 

Ebook
Smashwords: Barnes&Nobles: 

Author Contact:
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Title: Airion: Return To Zire

Author: J.S. Council
Series: Airion Series
Genre: Young Adult Epic Fantasy
Publisher: Self Published
Formats Available In: Paperback, Ebook (HTML, Kindle, Epub, PDF, RTF, LRF, Palm Doc, Plain Text (download), Plain Text (View)

Blurb: Aside from his outward appearance, Kobi is a normal thirteen-year-old boy. Living with his mother, his father, and his identical twin brother, Raili, with whom he spends most days at the cove watching dolphins and whales feed, he is happy with his life just the way it is. But his fourteenth birthday is coming and Kobi has no idea how much his life is about to change. 

When Raili is pulled through a puddle in the floor of their second floor bedroom by a monster armed with poisonous, spiked tentacles, Kobi goes in after him. What he finds isn’t Raili, but a new world all together, buried beneath the ocean. With a bounty on his head that has been there since he and Raili’s birth, Kobi will have to learn to fight or die before he can be reunited with Raili again. Everything he knew to be true was a lie. 

People he loved and trusted are not who they seem. He isn’t the normal boy he thought himself to be. A transformation is coming. Raili is gone. Blood is shed. Traitors lurk, waiting for their chance. War is inevitable. The fate of the world of Airion rests in his hands. The Wiseone speaks. Failure is certain.

Book Links:
Smashwords
CreateSpace
Barnes & Nobles
Amazon 

About The Author:

“Although I didn’t fully commit to making writing my life’s work until my sophomore year of college, I have always been a writer at heart. I was the only student in class to get excited about school papers, even asking to write a few for extra credit on occasion. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in Creative Writing – Fiction. After graduating, I moved to Japan where I wrote most of my debut novel, Airion: Return to Zire and all of my second novel Airion: Light and Dawn – the first two of a four book series. Japan was a peaceful place to just sit and write, but life in Japan was also filled with adventure. However much I loved it there, I had to return home to do what I love most. Write.”

Social Media Links:

Website
Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Excerpt:

“If the Cellians just wanted us dead, why didn’t they just kill Raili instead of taking him?” asked Kobi.

“That is the question, isn’t it?” said Kaiyen slowly. “If they only wanted to use his power, wouldn’t they have taken them both?”

“Not necessarily,” said Rick, fist to his chin. “Having both would probably be too dangerous to risk. They may have been afraid of being destroyed from the inside if they worked together to free themselves. Even with one son of the prophecy, they could cause considerable damage, or so they may think.”

“But Raili would never do that though,” Kobi protested. “Dad…I…I mean, Black Master Rick. You know Raili; you know he wouldn’t do anything like that.”

“It may not be his choice,” said Kimi. “The Cellians can be very persuasive.”

Kobi’s heart sank. “What would they do to him?” he asked, not wanting to hear the answer.

“Whatever they had to,” said Kaiyen. “That is why we must focus on a plan of rescue, before Raili Saio acquires the powers they seek.”

“On our fourteenth birthday,” said Kobi.

“Yes,” said Kai Ventra. “Almost all Airians change on their fourteenth birthday. Along with the natural changes they undergo, such as growing gills, they also acquire unique individual skills, allowing them to thrive more than most others in that ability. These abilities can be anything from designing exceptional clothing to controlling the elements.”

“The stronger the ability, the harder it is to control,” said Kaiyen. “No doubt Cella is depending on this.”

“It won’t work,” said Rick.

“Agreed,” nodded Kaiyen. “But there is another matter that must be discussed, if I may.” Questioning eyes turned to Kaiyen. “Lady Sara,” Kaiyen continued after a swift nod from the King. He was addressing the old woman seated beside Kimi, “have you seen anything in your Kubec about a traitor in Zire.”

Whispers filled the room. “You go too far, Captain,” said Bran.

“What are you saying,” said the advisor to Bran’s left.

“Silence,” said Sai Thayne. The talking ceased instantly. The King’s questioning eyes fell on Kaiyen then turned to Lady Sara. “Wise One?”

“This man possesses a tainted heart,” said the old woman, her eyes gazing into the diamond block. “His treachery dives deep.”

“Do you know who this man is?” asked Kaiyen.

“I see not his face nor his rank,” said Lady Sara, her brow creased and her hands resting on the Kubec. “However, he knows all that we know and some we do not.”

“It is as I thought,” said Kaiyen, “Zire’s traitor has resurfaced.”

Night Demon Blog Tour: Interview with Lisa Kessler and {Giveaway}

Welcome, Lisa! Thanks for stopping by to answer some questions today.

Hi Michelle! *waving* I love visiting your blog! 

M: I have been friends with you online for going on five years now. Back in my MySpace days, I remember reading your weekly short stories and loving them. I also loved hearing about the progress on your novel(s). After all of your hard work over the years, can you tell us how it feels to finally become a published author?

It feels AMAZING to finally have my books out in the world. Getting published is definitely the toughest goal I have ever achieved. And hearing about my characters through readers’ eyes is magic. It inspires me to write the next book!

M: I am not big on paranormal romance normally, but I really like your books. The way you incorporate historical elements reminds me of Anne Rice and she is my favorite author. Is having history present in your novels important to you?

Anne Rice is definitely one of my favorites! But when I set out to write vampires, I felt like she really covered European vampires and I wanted to bring something new to the table… That’s when I decided to research ancient civilizations in the Americas. The Mayan connection felt perfect, and my Night Walker world came to life.

M: You're currently working on Moonlight. Can you tell us anything about it? This is a different series from the Night series, correct?

Yes. Moonlight is Book 1 in my new Moon Series. Moonlight was a finalist in the RT Book Reviews Magazine’s Writing with the Stars contest. While it was in the contest, I sold Night Walker and put the Moon series on the back burner. I’m SUPER excited that my werewolf pack from Reno, NV will finally be jumping into the world. It’s a VERY different series from my Night Walkers. It’s more contemporary and gritty, more like urban fantasy with the happily ever after of paranormal romance. Can’t wait for you to read it!

It’s also up for pre-order now with the blurb if you want to take a peek!  

http://www.amazon.com/Moonlight-The-Moon-Series-ebook/dp/B00CGFGS3A/ 

M: Tell us more about yourself. I know you're also a singer and you're married to a fabulous guy named Ken Kessler. What are your other loves and passions in life...besides writing, of course?

Besides writing, music is a huge passion for me. I also love to read, but reading time has been super scarce lately. And you know Disney is another major love in my life. I go to Disneyland as often as possible, and my Disney pin trading collection is almost embarrassing it’s so big! LOL

M: What authors do you credit with inspiring you to become an author?

There are so many!!! LOL Anne Rice, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Kelley Armstrong, Christine Feehan, and many more…

M: I know you probably don't have much time for reading, but are you currently reading anything right now? What are some of your favorite books of all time?

Favorite books of all-time: The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Good Omens by Neil Gaiman, Tale of the Body Thief and The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice, The Stand and The Shining from Stephen King and The Door to December by Dean Koontz

Right now I’m really enjoying reading The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens and Let it Bleed by Jeri Smith-Ready.

M: Any advice for those of us who aspire to follow in your writing footsteps?

Don’t ever give up and keep writing. Because story-telling is a craft, you get better the more you do it, so keep writing new material and keep reading authors you love. It’ll help you grow and strengthen your craft as a writer!

Lisa, thanks again for stopping by today. I wish you much success with your new release, Night Demon.

Thanks for the great questions Michelle!!! 

Visit Lisa:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Page

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