Character Interview - Leif

This is your last week to enter for a chance to win a free e-book of my upcoming release, Shadow Fire, book 4 in the Shadow Dancer series.  This contest will run through Midnight, August 31, 2014.  I will be announcing the winner on September 8, 2014.  Make sure you check back on the 8^th.

This week, I have a quick interview with Leif, the main character of Shadow Fire, in order for you to catch up with what he has been up to since we last saw him in Shadow’s End. 

1.         Leif, how have you been coping?  I mean, since you almost killed Sunny, the new queen of Acadia.

At the moment, I’m wondering why I agreed to this interview, if that is the first question you ask.  However, I’ll play along.  So to answer you question, not well.  I’m not exactly hiding, but I am happy to be alone and not have anyone able to find me.  I like the quiet and solitude. Sometimes I miss my little band of rebels, but well, that’s over.

2.         Do you feel guilty about what happened or do you feel like Sunny got what she deserved?

Wow, not pulling your punches are you?  Yes, I feel terrible guilt over that moment.  If I could change it, I would, but that’s not how the world works is it?  I’ve spent a lot of time on that one single second, when my sword sank deep within her body.  It haunts me.  If I can’t change the past, I wish I could forget it.  Why can’t I forget it?

3.         Do you see anyone from your past?  Who do you hang out with?

No, I don’t see anyone anymore.  They don’t want to see me.  I don’t blame them.  I do run into the blue fairies now and then.  We have reached a somewhat tentative truce.  They don’t try to eat my face and I don’t try to squash them with my hands.  If the ice realm wasn’t so freakin cold, it wouldn’t be a bad place to hang out. 

4.         Why did you choose the ice realm? 

I figured it would be the last place anyone would look for me.  And I was right, but for the blue fairies, no one ever found me there.  The water realm had too many memories of Sunny.  The fire realm is full of fire people, everywhere you turn.  The sun realm, Acadia, well, that was out.  It’s too small of a realm and there is nowhere to hide. That left me with no real choice.  The ice realm is all that was left. 

5.         Last question.  What now?  You can’t hide out forever.  What are your plans? Where are you going from here?

I don’t have any plans, or future.  I’m simply getting through each day.  Death will find me one of these days.  I hope to meet him soon.  I’m tired of the cold and the haunting memories of Sunny.  I’m tired of nightmares and seeing the look on her face when I betrayed her.  I’m just tired. 

Maybe I will head over to the fire realm for a while.  See if what they say about the power and the heat of their sun is true?  Maybe death will come visit me sooner than later. 

~*~

Well, Leif is a bit on the gloomy side I see.  Next week, I will have a short visit with Cinder.  If you don’t know who she is, let me just say, she is giving Leif a run for his money and she isn’t one to take any of his doom and gloom crap.  If anyone can shake him up, it’s Cinder.

Shadow Fire - Back Cover Blurb

Running a bit behind today.  Sorry about that.  However, today is Shadow Fire blurb day?  What does that mean?  It means you get a peak at the back cover of the book.  The little snippet of what you may find within the covers of my new book set to release in a few weeks.  Are you not stoked? 

Without further ado, here you go:

On a side note, please be advised that my release date has been tweaked a bit.  Shadow Fire, Book 4 in the Shadow Dancer series will not be released on the 1^st, as expected.  Due to a bit of back log I have been advised that the release will be (hopefully) September 8^th.  No worries though.  We can all wait one measly week, right? 

Don't forget, for the month of August, all comments left on my blog are entered into a drawing for a free ebook of Shadow Fire.  The more you comment, the more chances you have of winning.  

Have a lovely week everyone.  

Cover Reveal - Shadow Fire!

It’s cover reveal week!  I suppose I am maybe a touch more excited than just about anyone, but it is so exciting!  I do believe this cover is my favorite of all my books.  What do you think?

Also this week I have been tagged to take part in a blog-hop by Kim.  Thank you so much Kim for the tag.  I was asked four questions, which are as follows:

1. What are you currently working on?  - I'm working on the finish up of a new horror story. It is a full-length book that is taking up a lot of my spare time and sleep. I had the first draft set to be approximately 50,000 words, figuring I would go back and add in detail and color to end at around 60,000-75,000. The first draft is now way over that 50,000 mark and still going. It's a bit of a monster. But it’s almost done. So close....

2. How does your work differ from others of its genre? - My work differs in that I like to write in the first person, which you don't see as often. Some people like that, some people don't. I try to add humor and insight through this perspective and I think it does pretty well. Only one or two complaints so far about this point of view, which in this business, is good.

3. Why do I write what I write? - I'm versatile in what I write. I write whatever is on my mind or whatever I am feeling. I am not boxed in within a set perimeter. If I feel like writing a horror story, I write one. If I feel like writing a children's story, I write it. As I am published in many genres, it apparently works for me.

4. How does my individual writing process work? - My writing process is not all that complicated. I get a bug in my head about an idea. Something small that just tickles its way to the forefront of my subconscious. I think it over for while; ruminate on it. Now, I am not much of an outliner, but lately, I have set out on paper a general idea to make sure an idea has merit as well as a good first, middle and end. If it doesn't, I chuck it, or I stew over it a little more to see if I can make it work. When I am ready, I sit my butt down and get to work. Some stories take me forever. Some take me but a day.

In order to keep the hop going, I am to tag two other writers to answer the same questions.  I have chosen:

Denise

Allyn

Please take the time to stop over and say hello to them.  This is a great opportunity to meet and greet writers you may not know of.  Have a wonderful week everyone.  

Don’t forget, all comments for the month of August will be entered in my contest to win a free e-book of my newest book, Shadow Fire, which will be released September 1, 2014. Come back next week to find out what Shadow Fire is all about.  

Shadow Fire - Week 1

Did I finish my WIP?  Nope.  I didn’t.  That sucker just keeps going and going.  I had it slated for about a 50,000 word first draft.  That left me with lots of space to revise, color in, and finish for an end project of around 70,000 words.  Welp, the first draft has bypassed that 50,000 mark and is still moving. So, I guess I need another week to finish up the draft.  No worries, though.  I’m on it.

What else is going on in my word?  I have some exciting news actually.  The release of my new book, Shadow Fire, scheduled for September 1, 2014, is fast approaching.  I had several, no really, several unhappy readers of my Shadow Dancer series that wanted more on Leif, who was one of my main characters throughout the series.  In order to make my readers happy, I decided to tell his whole story in his very own book.  I have brought back old faces and names, as well as a few new ones. 

This month I will be spending a lot of my blog space on release preparation. What does that mean?  Well, I will be having a cover reveal.  Yay!  I will also be talking about the book and the story and characters a bit.  I hope to have a nice interview with Leif himself and maybe one other character or two.  I will be taking requests as to whom you would like to hear from.  I have a few people that are shy commentors (you know who you are) that are welcome to shoot me a message with your votes.  I’m always happy to hear from you.

One lucky commentor, during the month of August, will receive a free copy (in e-book format) of Shadow Fire. The more you comment the more chances you will have of winning.  Come back each week for more fun and more chances to win. 

Have a great week.