Even Villains Fall in Love: A Guest Post by Liana Brooks

What are you afraid of?

Haven't we all heard that question before? What are you afraid of? What scares you? Fear ingrained bone deep in our culture. So much so that we've taken fear and given it an avatar in the form of the
Villain. The horrible, scary mad man (or woman) who defies all the rules of society and does the Bad Things.

I admit, I'm partial to Villains. For one thing, they tend to be smarter than the superheroes. Villains are almost all geniuses while superheroes tend to be average people who are now special because of radioactive spider bites or alien mysticism.

Villains have more in common with the average person too. They work hard, they're the underdog, they will never be special because they can't wear the nifty spandex suit and strike a pose.

Look at The Penguin in the Batman series. If he'd just been born pretty he would have been a dapper gentleman who enjoyed life and never resorted to crime to get attention. Instead he was deformed,
shunned, an abandoned... what a shame. 

My very favorite villain comes from the Batman series: Poison Ivy. 

Not only is she a redhead (as a lifelong brunette I'm slightly envious), but she's an ecologist too! She cares about the plants! Granted, she has a slightly eco-terrorist bent to her, but if you overlook that minor flaw she's really just an Earth Mamma. 

I always hoped she'd become a hero eventually, do something nice with all her brains and power, but I don't think the comic writers ever took her in that direction.

When I wrote EVEN VILLAINS FALL IN LOVE the one thing I knew was that the superheroes couldn't always be the good guys. It works in comics, but in reality everyone makes mistakes eventually. Superheroes can be overzealous. Sometimes they can be too stubborn for their own good (see Spiderman's origins if you don't believe me).

And, even villains fall in love.

So, what would happen is a super villain fell in love with a superhero? What would happen if the superheroes made a mistake? What would happen if the only person who could fix the problem was the
villain? That's where the story gets good, when you have to ask yourself: What makes a person a hero anyway?

Can a villain be a hero?

You'll just have to read and find out.

If you believe the rumors you know that Doctor Charm, the wickedly sexy super villain, retired in shame seven years ago after his last fight with the superhero Zephyr Girl. The fact that the charming Evan Smith - father of four and husband of the too-beautiful-to-be-real Tabitha - bears a resemblance to the defeated Doctor is pure coincidence. And, please, ignore the minions.

Everything is perfect in the Smith household until Tabitha announces her return to work as a superhero. Evan was hoping to keep her distracted until after he rigged the 2012 presidential election, but – genius that he is – Evan has a backup plan. In his basement lab Evan has a machine whose sole purpose is keeping Tabitha hungry for him.

But children and labs don’t mix. The machine is broken, and Tabitha storms out, claiming she no longer knows him. World domination takes a back seat to meeting his daughters’ demands to get Mommy back right now. This time his genius isn’t going to be enough – he’s going to need both his evil alter-ego and the blooming super abilities of his children to save his wife. But even his most charming self might not be enough to save their marriage.

Hush, Hush for 6th Graders?

There I was, innocently standing there with my teacher, talking about lesson plans (what else?). Then I saw this sixth grader (which I know he is) carrying this book, Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick.

Now normally, I would brush it off and keep it moving. But this has really stuck with me in my mind. I just had to know: How did this kid get his hands on this book? I'm not saying there should be any censorship of books in a library.

I'm just wondering if the little guy knows what he's getting into. Not only is this book not in the juvenile fiction section, it's a paranormal romance which is just a whole different thing altogether. 

I know if he was my student, then I would definitely ask him about what he thinks the book is about. Just because I know if he was my son, then I wouldn't let him read that book.

I know, totally old fashioned of me. I just think that as sixth graders, they aren't even preteens yet. Should they be introduced adult books and topics (not just sex) so young? This book is all about these adult questions and answers, and I wonder if he knows this.

I have to wonder if his parents even had "The Talk" with him and yet he's reading this book about . . . Well, it's not all about sex, but it definitely has some steamy situations in it that I personally wouldn't recommend to a 10 year old.

I mean, I'm not making the case that he should return the book or anything. The book he chooses is totally up to him. He has every right to pick up the book. I just think there should be some adult guidance in his choice.

As a teacher, we are suppose to help students (or more like force them) to make appropriate choices.

So, I'll leave it up to you guys: Do you think Hush, Hush is an appropriate choice for a 10 year old boy? And if you were the teacher in his classroom, what would you do about it, if anything at all?

Author Interview: Kristine Cayne

Please welcome A Three Way Tie, the author of Deadly Obsession, Kristine Cayne!

When and why did you begin writing?

I began writing when I was in grade school. I enjoyed the opportunity to put myself in someone else’s shoes and explore different lives. But I didn’t begin to write seriously until several years after having had my second child. I fell in love with romantic suspense and took some writing classes at a local community college. After that, characters shouted at me, scenes played out in my mind, and I had to write the story developing in my head.


What was the hardest part of writing your book? What is the easiest?

The easiest part of writing for me is coming up with the story concept and the characters. They just appear in my mind. Once I have a handle on the idea, I brainstorm the plot with my plotting group and go from there.


The hardest part is to go from the idea to the actual writing. I worry that my idea is bad, my technique crap. But it isn’t. Many writers experience this to some extent. The cure? Write. Then revise and edit. The key is to getting the story on the page, and fix it after.


What music do you listen to while you write?

When I was writing Deadly Obsession, I had a playlist to put me in “stalker mode.” I also had a playlist of music from Nic’s ringtones (you’ll have to read the book to know what I mean J ). Here are the links to the playlists on YouTube: Here are the links: Deadly Obsession – Stalker-Themed Songs (here), Deadly Obsession – Ringtones and other Songs from the Book (here).


What inspires you?

The story concepts often stem from current events, things I read about in the news. The characters seem to pop into my head as likely people to be engaged in the story. For example, in Deadly Obsession, I knew the hero had to be a movie star. But what made him different from the others? Why was his story special? I usually develop a good feel for what they look like in my mind, and then I try to find photos of actors or models that match.


Do you have any hidden talents?

Good question!

 

What are your current projects?

I’m currently revising Deadly Addiction, book two in the series. Book three, Deadly Betrayal, is still in the plotting stage. On the side, I’m writing two short stories for different anthologies to come out in February and April.


What book are you reading now?


Since part of Deadly Betrayal takes place in Afghanistan, I’m reading A Woman Among Warlords by Malalai Joya, the story of a young female political activist and her experiences in dealing with the tribal warlords.


8. Quick: Vampires or Shapeshifter? Why?


Shapeshifter. After all, if I want to be bitten, my shapeshifter can shift into a vampire.


9. Do you have any advice for other writers?


Write as much as you can, and learn as much as you can. You can’t become a great writer without practice, and you can’t learn everything about writing on your own. Writers organizations are great resources to keep you learning and writing.
10. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?


I love chatting with readers! Feel free to friend/fan/follow me:


My blog
My website
My Facebook page
My Goodreads author page
My Twitter handle
My New Releases mailing list

 

When an Oscar-winning movie star meets a department-store photographer…

Movie star Nic Lamoureux appears to have a playboy’s perfect life. But it’s a part he plays, an act designed to conceal a dark secret he carries on his shoulders. His empty days and nights are a meaningless blur until he meets the woman who fulfills all his dreams. She and her son are the family he’s always wanted—if she can forgive a horrible mistake from his past. 

A Hollywood dream…

Lauren James, a widowed single mother, earns barely enough money to support herself and her son. When she wins a photography contest and meets Nic, the man who stars in all her fantasies, her dreams, both professional and personal, are on the verge of becoming real. The attraction between Lauren and Nic is instant—and mutual. Their chemistry burns out of control during a photo shoot that could put Lauren on the fast track to a lucrative career. 

Becomes a Hollywood nightmare

But an ill-advised kiss makes front-page news, and the lurid headlines threaten everything Nic and Lauren have hoped for. Before they know what’s happening, their relationship is further rocked by an obsessed and cunning stalker who’ll stop at nothing—not even murder—to have Nic to herself. When Nic falls for Lauren, the stalker zeroes in on her as the competition. 

And the competition must be eliminated.

Deadly Obsession is available at the following online retailers:


Amazon ebook
Amazon print 

Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords

All Romance eBooks

New Review for Everblossom and an Interview!

The review is here!

And here's me being featured! :) Yippee skippee!

What is Paranormal?

You know this may seem like a philosophy lesson but I was really puzzling over this as I'm writing my stories for Everblossom 2. I know some readers were not exactly happy to see some "literary" or "normal" stories (with an abnormal twist) in this anthology expecting to see more paranormal fantasy type of stories.

But then I got to thinking: What is the true definition of paranormal?

The paranormal world has exploded in recent years thanks to many authors who include Anne Rice, Stephenie Meyer, and Andrea Cremer just to name a few.

But what classifies the paranormal genre?

Does each story have to have some sort of creature or fantastic capabilities?

Does each story have to have some sort of dark setting or alternative motive?

Does every guy need to be mysterious?

I mean, let's get real: Most books classified under paranormal, paranormal fantasy, or paranormal romance have those qualities. Additionally, some books, like Anne Rice's are classified as horror. 

I guess what I'm wondering in the end is: What books are classified as horror and what books are classified as paranormal?

Where is the line drawn in the sand between paranormal and paranormal fantasy?

What do YOU think?!

Authors Interview: Two For the Price of One!

Please welcome the delightful YA authors of Immortal Prophecy, Samantha and Kay!


Check out their gorgeous websites here and here!

When and why did you begin writing?

Samantha: I have been writing little things here and there since I was in the fourth grade, but never anything serious until Immortal Prophecy. I’ve always had a secret desire to write a novel. I write because it’s my passion and there is nothing else I want to do or enjoy more than getting lost in writing.

Kay: I always wanted to write a novel and so did Sam. It was just great timing for us both. The idea came and took on a life of its own, such an amazing time.


What was the hardest part of writing your book? What is the easiest?

Samantha: The easiest part was the actual writing and typing of the book. It was so much fun, sitting down and planning what was going to happen to our characters. The hardest part for me was finding the time to write. My son was only a few months old when we started, so I had to work around him. Mostly I was writing long hours into the night.

Kay: Making sure the characters were believable and that they were as likeable as we wanted them to be. That was the hardest part. The easiest part was coming up with the idea of the storyline and overall plot. It was a lot of fun to let my imagination run wild and have fun with it.


What music do you listen to while you write?

Samantha: The music varies, depending on what scene I am writing at the time but I listen to a lot of Muse, Christina Perri, Lady Antebellum, Bruno Mars and The Twilight Saga soundtracks have a lot of great writing music on them too.

Kay: Depends on my mood, but I’m partial to Maroon 5.


What inspires you?

Samantha: So many things! I love the night for its peace and serenity, watching the stars, music, reading, quotes that make you think and of course, my husband and my son.

Kay: Sunsets, watching the ocean and my beloved grandson.


Do you have any hidden talents?

Samantha: Bargain hunting! If there is a bargain somewhere, I will find it.

Kay: I have been known to sing if pressed!


What are your current projects?

Samantha: At the moment, we have started writing the second installment of the series so that is keeping us busy. On the side, I am going to be doing a Diploma of Editing and a Diploma of Creative Writing. It’s something I love and will make us better writers and editors.

Kay: I’m looking into learning collages and art as an expression of self-knowledge.


What book are you reading now?

Samantha: I’m actually reading two books, “Meeting Destiny” by Nancy Straight and “The Chosen” which is part of the Night World series, by L.J Smith.

Kay: “The Taking” by Dean Koontz.


Quick: Vampires or Shapeshifter? Why?

Samantha: Vampires! I think it is that mystery that always surrounds a vampire and let’s be honest, they are always gorgeous, can take care of you and have a bad boy streak which every girl seems to love.

Kay: Shapeshifters. I loved the movie “Lady hawk” with Michelle Pfeifer.


Do you have any advice for other writers?

Samantha: Go for it! Don’t worry about plotting too much at first cause you can get lost in the ‘oh but what if it’s not good enough’ etc. Start writing and see what happens and where your characters take you. Write the first chapter and see what you have got, then start plotting again. Sometimes making your fingers run over the keyboard can be the hardest part of writing.

Kay: Just do it!


Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Samantha and Kay: Thank you for taking the time to read Immortal Prophecy. We really hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed writing it. Readers and Fans, we love to hear from you! Come and say hi to us!

Book Giveaway and Author Interview: Purgatory by A. Lopez, Jr.

Please welcome to A Three Way Tie, A. Lopez, Jr. !

Bio

Born and raised in Texas and now residing in Arizona, A. Lopez, Jr. (Junior) has published his first work Purgatory - 13 Tales of the Macabre. Horror is the choice of genre for this first book, with a upcoming series of horror novellas being worked on for 2012 titled Night Dreams His full-length novel, 31 Days is being researched and in the early stages of the first draft.

Hungry for more info? Check out his website here!

Interview

When and why did you begin writing?

I have liked writing and storytelling since high school, if not before. I wrote two movie scripts (in my mind anyway) during high school. I remember one very well. The other I have a hard time recalling. Unfortunately, both have been lost over time. That started my early writing career and I would write off and on, nothing serious, while raising my kids. 

Over the years many ideas have stuck with me and I didn’t really get into writing, and planning the process for a book until about three years ago. The reason why I write, to me, is simple. I enjoy telling stories, verbally or through writing. The thoughts and ideas have always been there so letting them out through writing seemed like the natural thing to do.


What was the hardest part of writing your book? What is the easiest?

The hardest part of writing “Purgatory” was making the endings of the stories. I wanted all of them to have a good twist or shock at the end, but at the same time leave the reader thinking of the message within the stories. Along with that I would say that editing the book, shortening and tightening up the stories and correcting grammar errors was just as hard. The easiest thing for me was coming up with the ideas for all 13 stories. Many of those were already in my mind and some would come to me out of the blue.


What music do you listen to while you write?

Depending on what I’m writing about, I usually don’t listen to music as I write, although I have a very versatile music library. While writing this horror book I did at times listen to Horror Movie soundtracks on satellite radio. The only other thing I listen to would be on a sound effects app on my phone of rain or a flowing river or stream. The sound of rain or water makes it easy for me to write.


What inspires you?

I find inspiration in many things, but mainly the passion to write drives me. The inspiration for a story can come from a dream, an object I happen to run across, or family or friend’s own account of something that has happened to them. Listening and observing things around us can trigger many ideas. But, I have found that by reading someone else’s work, be it a short story or novel, I can feel their own passion in the words that tell their story. That passion to write not only inspires, but drives me to tell my own story.


Do you have any hidden talents?

To the people who know me I would say that those talents are not hidden, but I like the originality and creativeness that comes with playing chess. In a way, chess parallels writing at some points with thinking ahead and plotting the next sequence of words or moves. In other ways you write, or play off the cuff and see what the result brings you then. Either way, they both keep the mind stimulated and creative. I also love the game of baseball and like to draw, but it is something that I don’t do often enough.


What are your current projects?

I am currently working on a fictional sports story I am dedicating to my father. It’s not of the horror genre, but it has special meaning to me since he taught me how to play, and baseball has been a major part of my life since I was a kid. I feel I can write in many different genres but horror is my favorite. I am also working on a horror series called Night Dreams about a dream psychologist who lives his out his patient’s nightmares, not by choice, to help them beat their own demons. My next horror novel will be 31 Days which I will have out in 2013. More details to come!


What book are you reading now?
Currently I am reading H. P. Lovecraft’s complete works and Stephen King’s Under The Dome. I try not to read, or get involved with too many books at once unless I can separate them in my mind as I move from one to the next.


Quick: Vampires or Shapeshifters? Why?

If I had to choose quickly I would say vampires, but I like the way that the stereotype of shapeshifters is changing from werewolves as the popular theme, to many other and creative beings. I like the idea of the vampire because they are dark and mysterious. They only come out at night, which is when I do most of my writing.


Do you have any advice for other writers?

I feel that the best advice I can give to anyone wanting to write is to read. I have learned many things that I was not aware of by reading other author’s works. Even if you write in a specific genre, reading authors in different genres will help with style, form, and how to finish your project with your own style. I would tell anyone who asks, to read Stephen King’s On Writing. His memoir has really helped me see things from a different point of view when I write. Lastly, I would say, let the words flow, worry about editing later. Tell the story that’s in your head.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Many many thanks to everyone who has taken their time to read my book and given me feedback and their own opinions. It is a busy world out there and time is a precious commodity, so for anyone who has used some of their time to read my stories, THANK YOU! Keep on reading… here  for more info and the book trailer for Purgatory.

Giveaway

In the spirit of King, Laymon, Little, and Keene comes a collection of 13 tales of horror and the macabre. In the name of research, a world-famous horror author spends the night alone in one of the most haunted houses in the land, "Ritter House", only to discover that reality is much more horrific than fiction. In "Road Trip", a man must travel across state lines to identify his brother's dead body and drive him home in the back of his station wagon to a mortuary run by a dead man. A man has 2 hours to try and prevent a catastrophe in the building that his wife works in. Only, he can't recall how or why, his only clue is the recurring nightmare he had 2 hours earlier. The clock tics in "Tic Toc" Christmas will never be the same again for a little boy in "Santa Claws". An old wooden box in a warehouse carries a story all its own in "The Crate" A trip to Purgatory will open the door to these stories and more.

Giveaway Details:

1. To be eligible for this giveaway, you must be a follower of my blog.
2. To double your chances of winning, you must follow the author's twitter (click here to become a follower and send him a direct message with the word purgatory).
3. Leave a comment with your name and email address.
4. This giveaway ends March 13 at 11:59pm.

5. There will be TWO winners!


Please make sure to thank this awesome author, A Lopez Jr.!

**And please note that you can only DOUBLE your chances of winning by following the author's twitter profile and not mine. Please remember that in order to send you your prize (if you win) that I need your email address and name. Good luck to all!!**

*cheers from the peanut gallery*

In Defense of Genre Fiction

Please welcome to A Three Way Tie, Nadia Jones!

Author Bio: This is a guest post by Nadia Jones who blogs at online college about education, college, student, teacher, money saving, movie related topics. You can reach her at nadia.jones5 @ gmail.com.

Genre fiction gets a pretty bad rap in some literary circles. In fact, I would go as far as to say that when most people say “genre fiction,” they do it with a negative connotation. I can imagine a crusty old literature professor dismiss with a derisive snort even the best works of fantasy as mere genre fiction. So why the hate?

My guess is that when people who say genre fiction think of genre fiction, they tend to think that it’s all the same. They think that horror fiction will always consists of some variation on a Stephen King or a Dean Koontz novel from the early 90’s. Fantasy stories amount to nothing more than a retelling of Lord of the Rings, and mystery fiction lost its mystery after the death of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Of course nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to genre fiction. If anything, genre fiction represents what we as readers treasure the most: uninhibited imagination. An author who writes a work in some established genre is joining a tradition of countless writers who seek to tell stories outside conventional norms. It’s takes real courage for any person to write a work of fiction, but it takes someone with real guts to decide to create entirely new world for their readers.

Some critics of genre fiction complain that genres limit authors to follow a certain set of rules or expectations in their work, ultimately making the work predictable. I, however, see genres as a way to set the mood for a work of fiction. It’s a way to prime the reader’s expectations, and it’s up to the author of that work whether or not they want to defy or surpass those expectations. A horror store can be just as boring as a stereotypically “literary” story about a character’s self-discovery in a small town. But a talented and clever genre fiction author can take the typical trappings of their genre and twist and turn them to the point where people completely forget that they’re reading a western or a fairy tale.

Good genre fiction is about knowing the history of your tradition and using it to explore new creative landscapes. Think of the George R. R. Martin’s fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire (now on HBO as Game of Thrones)with has given traditional the sword and sorcery tale a much-needed facelift. Or consider the classic I Am Legend book by Richard Matheson that puts an unusually philosophical twist on the typical horror narrative. These are but two examples of genre fiction that succeeds because it pushes the boundaries established by their very genre. Indeed, for these authors genre isn’t a limitation, it’s inspiration to go further.

Granted not every fan of genre fiction needs an earth-shattering tale in order to hold their interests. Some readers pick up a horror novel because they want to be held in suspense page after page. Others want to be transported to an alien landscape no matter how stereotypical it may seem. Genre fiction has something for everyone, just like with the rest of the literary landscape. And that’s a thing to be proud of.

Author Interview: John Hennessy

Please welcome to A Three Way Tie: John Hennessy, author of Life Descending, part one of The Cry of Havoc, an epic fantasy series. Check out his website for more information here. 

When and why did you begin writing? 

Between my sophomore and junior years of high school I was on an Alaskan cruise with my parents, and I spent a lot of time in the cabin reading. I picked up Diablo: Legacy of Blood in Juno. That was when ideas started flying at me: ideas about a cursed armor and what that could do to a person trapped within. I started writing some of my ideas down my junior year, and by my senior year, I had enough written to use as my Senior Exiting Project. 

So going into college I knew I wanted to be a writer, and I had started out planning to major in Creative Writing, but I ended up enjoying Liberal Studies classes more and went that route. After my sophomore year is when I really took to writing, I became much more serious, and the bulk of The Cry of Havoc: Life Descending blossomed that summer.


What was the hardest part of writing your book? What is the easiest?

The hardest part of Life Descending was the editing, and worrying about the punctuation and all of that, and if the story was complex enough. I didn’t want to write something too simple, I really wanted it to have some depth that all great stories have. 

The easiest part was the landscape and the events that occur. Developing the world was the easiest for me, probably because it was by far the most fun. Thinking up characters and problems for them, I loved it.


What music do you listen to while you write?

I don’t listen to any music when I write, at least not anymore. I listen to my two parakeets—well, really just the one, the other one sleeps—serenade me constantly. They are better than any music you can find, in a sense, because they are live shows. I used to listen to all sorts of genres from local hip-hop from Seattle to rock bands like Brand New.


What inspires you?

Outside of fantasy and science fiction, my professors and their lectures have really inspired me. I get a ton of ideas from what they talk about, and what they had me read when I was in school. It really pushed me out of the typical genres that I read in high school, and into completely new worlds. I also draw from documentaries. I love animal documentaries, and I get quite a few ideas from nature shows.


Do you have any hidden talents?

Hidden talents? I can’t sing, or dance, or anything like that, now. I used to be a fair runner, and I learned what endurance means from that.


 What are your current projects?

I’m working on a YA apocalyptic short story right now, and the second part of The Cry of Havoc.


What book are you reading now?

J.H. I’m reading Orcs, A Clash of Kings, Escaping from Reality Without Really Trying: 40 Years of High Seas Travels and Lowbrow Tales, Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon, and some others that I pick up from time to time.


Quick: Vampires or Shapeshifter? Why?

Oh that’s easy: shapeshifters. Vampires get kind of boring, there are pretty much always the same. Shapeshifters can be ANYTHING, and the possibilities are near inexhaustible.


Do you have any advice for other writers?

You always hear—as a writer—write everyday, write everyday. But another thing I think is important is to read, and to read outside of your genre. For example, even if you don’t write romance, hate romance, and will never think about writing romance, you should read one or two just to understand the appeal of them to readers, and maybe incorporate some aspect from romance that works for your genre, say science fiction. You’ll be surprised what is to be learned from different genres that can be used for your own.


Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

If you pick up my book, and even if you don’t, please check out my map on my website. You can find it here. Also, check out my reviews, I have gotten a lot of great reviews, but to be honest, no real sales. If you are a fantasy or science fan, try my first four chapters; you can find them on my website, free to read.

Thank you for the interview!


No, thank you John!


Do you want to be interviewed on my blog? Then click on the Author Interview tab or click here.

Sales Report for Everblossom

It's the most wonderful part of the month: Sales report! I think this is an interesting report of all, watch this:

Now here are the sales for Everblossom so far:

October: 1
November: 4
December: 3
January: 3

February: 3

Here's the breakdown:

Amazon US: 0
Amazon UK, ES, IT, FR: 0
Smashwords (specifically Apple): 1
Barnes and Noble: 2
Print Sales (Createspace): 0

I know, strange right? I haven't done any marketing and what happens? I get sales at Barnes and Noble and Smashwords! Sounds like a good thing that I don't plan to market this month either. At least not as heavily as I would like. :P I guess we'll have another sales report for this month.

Additionally, I'll be releasing Angel Diaries (cover coming soon, hopefully!) in April. At least that's the aim to release it in April. Hopefully my sales will shoot through the roof since I'm pretty sure that Angel Diaries will be awesome once I get done with editing it, but yeah. That's the plan.