Meet the Hero From Dream King

1. What is the name of the book where we would meet you? What genre is it?

I met my writer,Tara during one of my notrual journeys. This meeting lead to my adventure in THE DREAM KING. The story is a paranormal time travel adventure.

2. Who wrote the book?

My writer is Tara Newlands, an interesting cute woman from Arizona.

3. What do you think of the author? You can tell us the truth.

I think she’s a funny, clever, if not a bit strange woman who loves pizza and something called Cheeios. Mmmm, I don’t eat them myself. But, she seems to think they’re great. LOL

4. Tell us a little about yourself. How would you describe your appearance? That's more than just really cute or drop dead gorgeous. Give us enough detail to get a clear idea of how you look.

Well, I’m a good looking guy. I really don’t think about my looks much, I like keeping in shape because I never know when I might be called on to slay a dragon. I’m 6’1, broad shouldered, lean but, not thin. Amanda, my help mate says I have got the more beautiful green eyes. It’s funny I never thought of my eyes has beautiful.

5. What character are you in the book? Are you the hero, the best friend, the side kick, the hero and heroine's child or someone else?

I’m the hero of the Dream King.

6. Is there a specific reason why you're in the story? Don't give us any story spoilers, but you can share some teasers if you want.

My former lover, Amanda disappeared after a rouge mage stole her from me. I’ve fought tooth and nail to find her.

7. What time period do you live in?

Well, I’m over 150 years old. I’ve lived in New York most of my life and currently I have a house in Phoenix, Arizona.

8. Where are you from? I was born in Long Island, New York.

9. Do you live in the same place now?

I still have my colonial outside New York City.

12. What special skills or abilities do you have?

I am a master magus gifted and skilled in mental persuasion, telepathy, shape shifting, etc.

13. How do those affect your part in the story?

My gifts aided me in the protection of the people I love.

14. Are you happy with the story?

Yes, I think that Tara did a great job presenting my story.

16. Tell us about your past. Can you share one really good experience and/or one really bad experience? I know that bad experience can be tough, but it would tell us more about what you've been through.
I think the worst day of my life was the day Jonathan stole Amanda from me. I felt like I failed to protect them both. He was my friend, I should have told him how Amanda made me feel. It might have spared all of us a great deal of pain.

17. Who is the most important person in your life? Tell us about them.
Amanda is the important person in my life. In the 150 plus years I’ve been there. I’ve seen the best and worst that humankind has had to offer. Amanda grounds me.

19. How does that person impact you and your life?

She’s bought so much joy and happiness to my life. I’m grateful to have met her.
20. Do you have any children?

No
21. If you do, tell us about them. If you don't have any children, you can tell us why not - but, only if you want to tell us.

It’s not that we don’t want them. We’re happily working on correcting that now. LOL

22. What do you see in your future?

I’ve working to develop the skills of my students because the world as great need for them. I’ve been given unsettling news after future events that could affect the whole life and my students and I must be ready to face them.

23. Do you think your author is going to write another story about you? Or, are you part of a series?

My story in the first in a series about my people and our leaders.

24. Do you like being a character in a book?

Yes, I like the thought of someone sharing in the life I’ve had and learning about my people.

25. If someone ever decides to make a movie based on your story, who should play you in the movie and why?

Possibly, Clive Owen because he was really classy in the movie ‘Sin City.’ He reminded me of the lengths I’d go to protecting the people I love.

Its been great to talk with you. If you want to tell us anything else, feel free. Also, tell us about a website where we can learn more about you and where we can buy the book.

My story is available now at Red Rose publishing at www.redrosepublishing.com and will be available at Fictionwise.com shortly. My writer, Tara is available to chat with at www.facebook.com/taranewlands , also at www.freewebs.com/taranewlands and www.myspace.com/taranewlands

Quantum Earth by Julie Achterhoff

1. In my new novel, Quantum Earth, the bad guy is Beckham, an uber-rich man who is financially backing my team of metaphysical scientists. He pulls the strings. He wants them to save the Earth from destruction in the form of increased natural disasters that are becoming so much more frequent and deadly. Beckham is lead by his spirit guide, Seta, who, in his last incarnation, was a scientist doing evil deeds for Hitler. His motivation is saving the world so he can live again and do more evil.

2. I really love both, but the thing about bad guys is that you can get in touch with your bad self, which can be a lot of fun.

3. I use bad guys to contrast with the good guys. Of course nobody's all good or all bad. But I love setting them up against one another in a scene. They can really drive a plot!

4. It's a bit difficult for me not to just copy other bad guys. I think my bad guys are probably some combination of that since I have no real life experience with true bad guys.

5. I just don't have any real experience with people like murderers or rapists except what I've read or seen in movies.

6. I think Seta from Quantum Earth is my favorite. He is on "the other side" but still has power on Earth. He's a very scary persona.

7. Hannibal Lector has got to be the ultimate bad guy for me. Ho oozes evil in every pore.

8. http://www.julieachterhoff.blogspot.com

9. Quantum Earth will be available sometime at the the end of March at http://www.allthingsthatmatterpress.com

Witch Hunts on the Internet by Yvonne Walus

Who causes friction is the story?

The villain in "Witch Hunts on the Internet" (Echelon Press, 2008) is a 40-year old man posing as a 16-year old in teenage chat rooms. He is chiefly after their photos (for his own nefarious purposes), but he wouldn't refuse a face-to-face meeting, either.

Do you prefer bad guys or bad gals?

Generally, I find bad guys are a lot more fun (e.g., Sawyer in LOST), but the one in "Witch Hunts on the Internet" is bad through and through. He's an example of a villain you truly despise.

How do you use your bad guys?

Bad guys are like spices: too little makes a bland mix, too much is unpalatable. I try to aim for an interesting mix with enough conflict and pace... and, of course, a moral at the end of the story.

Do you enjoy writing the bad guys or do you find it difficult?

It's easier than writing good guys. Good guys are boring.

Whether you enjoy writing them or hate writing them, we'd like to know why you feel that way?

No matter whether your villain is a thief, a murderer or an abuser, the reason behind his personality makeup always fascinates me. What made him the way he is today? Why can't he change? Does he want to change? What are his secret dreams and hopes?

Who is your favorite bad guy in any of your books? Which bad guy and which book are they in?

I have a lot of sympathy for the Boss Out Of Hell in "Murder @ Work". It's honestly not his fault his temper is quicker than the speed of email transmission. And he is dead for most of the book, too!

http://www.echelonpress.com/direct/buy-yw-maw.htm

Who is your favorite fictional bad guy -- that's not in your books?

Sawyer from LOST... ok, I'm repeating myself here, but I do find him hot. That whole bad-boy-makes-good aura makes my toes curl! Of course, it could simply be that he looks like Josh Holloway...

Is there anything else about your bad guys that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Sometimes the good guy (or gal) have to do things they are not too proud of in order to stop the villain. That's certainly the case in "Witch Hunts on the Internet", where the protagonist has to ask herself the following poignant question: "How far are you willing to go and what rules are you willing to break in order to protect your child?"

Please provide your website link.

http://yewalus.kiwiwebhost.net.nz

What is the link to buy your book?

http://echelonpress.netfirms.com/Echelon/nfoscomm/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=445&osCsid=dda12e13d4dfb931da8112d20306716e

Jim Musgrave Talks About His Bad Guys

Do you prefer bad guys or bad gals?

I prefer bad guys, as through research I've discovered there are simply more of them, especially the more heinous types--my favorite variety of bad guy!

How do you use your bad guys?

In my novel, Russian Wolves, the worst guy is named and patterned after real-life serial killer, Andrei Romanovich Chikatilo, the Rostov Slayer. However, the fictional detective who hunts him also gets drawn over to the "dark side," which makes this novel a totally "bad guy work," giving it an especially creepy quality.

In my horror novel, Lucifer's Wedding, I chose the perpetual bad guy, and in my political thriller, Sins of Darkness, I chose a collection of bad guys who make up a brainwashing group that programs Sirhan Bishara Sirhan to kill Robert F. Kennedy in 1968.

Do you enjoy writing the bad guys or do you find it difficult?

Because I "cut my reading teeth" on authors such as Thomas Harris (Silence of the Lambs), I learned that writing about bad guys was a talent unto itself. When one reader I did not know said that my Chikatilo was the "most depraved and horrible character she had ever read about," I knew I was on the right track.

Whether you enjoy writing them or hate writing them, we'd like to know why you feel that way?

I enjoy writing about them because I am very Freudian, and I believe we have a secret "death wish." Bad guys just fascinate our inner cravings.

Who is your favorite bad guy in any of your books? Which bad guy and which book are they in?

Andrei Chikatilo is my favorite because I like to think I gave him "redeeming qualities" that he lacked in his real life's history. Isn't this what made Dr. Hannibal Lecter so appealing?

Who is your favorite fictional bad guy -- that's not in your books?

Dr. Lecter.

Is there anything else about your bad guys that we need to know? Feel free to share.

My bad guys have a dark sense of humor (what else?).

Please provide your website link.

http://www.contempinstruct.com/books/books.htm

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.amazon.com/Russian-Wolves-James-Ray-Musgrave/dp/0977650316/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209569459&sr=8-1

Heroine From Outlaw in Petticoats

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name? Maeve Loman

Why did you pick that name? While doing the background on her father, I needed him to be Irish. So I looked up Irish names and after going back and forth with several, I decided Maeve fit the best with the hero's name, Zeke.

Give us a brief description of how she looks. Straight black hair worn in a bun while teaching and in a braid down her back while traveling the trails searching for her father. She's slender, blue eyes, and has the Irish temper.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? When traveling, she dresses in an old shirt, worn riding skirt and has a six shooter holstered on one hip.

Who does she love? Why? She slowly falls for the hero, but fights the attraction kicking and screaming. Her father whom she adored left her and her mother when Maeve was ten. She's always felt if she loves someone too much, they will leave her and she refuses to go through that pain again.

Does this person love her? Zeke loves her to obsession. And has a hard time courting and romancing her to bring her around to his way of thinking.

Tell us about her family. Her father who adored her and she adored him, taught her how to handle a pistol then disappeared. The book is about Maeve and Zeke looking for answers to his disappearance. Her mother is an invalid who holds bitter feelings toward both Maeve and her father.

Where is she from? Maeve's family traveled around a lot due to her father's work.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude? No, as I said, she has traveled a lot as a child and doesn't really call any one place home.

What does she want out of life? She wants to be independent and not fall in love. ;) But of course Zeke has other plans.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.) Her biggest secret is she really dreams of a life with a husband and children, but fears the hurt of being rejected again.

Did you write more than one story about her? Yes, and no. She is the heroine in the second Halsey brother book and has small roles the books following this one.

How would she describe you? A busybody. LOL Because I've dug into her and made her realize what she really wants.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. Maeve finds a strength in herself that helps her find the happiness she deep down was looking for.

Please provide your website link. http://www.patyjager.com

What is the link to buy your book? http://www.thewildrosepress.com

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Thank you for letting me share Maeve. You can read about another feisty heroine in the first Halsey Brother book, Marshal in Petticoats.

When I'm You by LaConnie Taylor Jones

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name? Caitlyn Thompson

Why did you pick that name?

I've always like the name Caitlyn. Since I didn't get the chance to name my only girl child (my husband did the honors), I decided to use the name for my first fictional female character.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.

Caitlyn is only four feet, eleven inches and weighs roughly a hundred pounds. She has ebony skin that's the same shade as dark chocolate.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?

Yes, she has beautiful slant, brown eyes.

Who does she love? Why?

Although she's been on the run from a stalking ex-boyfriend for the past three years, she meets and falls deeply in-love with Marcel Baptiste. At first, she was extremely gun-shy of becoming involved with him, despite their instantaneous attraction. However, as the weeks past, she becomes better acquainted with Marcel and is further captivated by his genuineness and willingness to earn her trust as well as erase the demons from her past.

Does this person love her?

Oh, absolutely!! Marcel is a man who's use to getting his way. It took him by surprise that Caitlyn told him the one word he never accepts - no. Also, Caitlyn's fear of another relationship makes him even more determine to win not only her trust, but her heart.

Tell us about her family.

Caitlyn was placed in foster care after the death of her mother at the age of five. She bounced through the system for twelve years until she was placed with the woman she considers as her mother, Ms. Ruby.

Where is she from?

Newark, New Jersey

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

Yes, they do. Caitlyn grew up in inner city of New Jersey and spent a great deal of time at a neighborhood youth center. She eventually becomes the director of a youth center in East Oakland.

What does she want out of life?
To find the father she never knew.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

It would be a spoiler to the story!!

Did you write more than one story about her?

No

How would she describe you?

As the one person who truly understands her fears, strength and determination to get her life back on the right track after a disastrous relationship involving domestic abuse.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Caitlyn admits she was vulnerable to the attention and gifts her ex-boyfriend lavished on her because she grew up without anyone to depend on other than herself. However, once she realized their relationship escalated to violence, she had the courage to leave.

Please provide your website link.

http://www.laconnietaylorjones.com/

What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.amazon.com/When-Im-You-LaConnie-Taylor-Jones/dp/1585712507/

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Check out LaConnie's website at http://www.laconnietaylorjones.com/ to see how you can win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon.com!

Sara from Lady Lightkeeper by Nikki Leigh

This is an unscheduled stop on my virtual tour. I scheduled my entire tour without planning to visit any of my own book promotion blogs. That was because I created these blogs after the tour was planned. So, I decided that I would drop by today to tell you about the best friend in Widow's Walk and Lady Lightkeeper. I hope you enjoy. I will also include this stop in the book giveaway. Post a comment and you will be entered in the drawing for a free copy of Lady Lightkeeper.

1 - Tell us a bit about your book.
I’ll include the back cover blurb for the first and second book in the series to set the stage for this book.

Widow’s Walk – Misty Cove Chronicles, Book One

First in a series of three. Days before her wedding, in October 1841, Lizbeth climbs to the widows walk atop her home, with her fiancé. They search the dark and stormy horizon for her father's fishing boat and Lizbeth notices the darkened lighthouse on the point.
In such a violent storm, her father and the other men from Misty Cove need the lighthouse to guide their boats safely into harbor. In the morning and the lighthouse lamps shine out, but it's too late. Death had come in the stormy night and the community is devastated by loss. Is love enough for Lizbeth to overcome the needless death of her father?
Mourning and an investigation into the light's failure delay the wedding. When, at last, Lizbeth and William pledge their love, will they find happiness?

Lady Lightkeeper – Misty Cove Chronicles, Book Two

Lizbeth's happy world is turned upside down. Can she move ahead with her life? Lizbeth keeps an almost obsessive vigil from the lighthouse catwalk. She must find a way to help her children.

Friends help her realize she can help the townspeople and move her life ahead. The assistant light keeper helps her learn the ropes of her new job. He is a secretive man. Is he hiding a dark secret or a lifetime of hurt?

Lizbeth's children grow up in a time and place where death and loss are prevalent. Can Lizbeth draw on her disappointments and help them understand and cope?

2 - Tell us about the best friend - gender, age, appearance, how they came to be
with the hero or heroine and anything else we need to know about them.
Sara is the best friend. She was hired about 15 years earlier to live in with Lizbeth and her father. Captain Sullivan brought Sara to the house to care for his young daughter while his fishing boat was at sea. (This backstory will be in a short story I hope to release before November 2007. There will be news about the story on my website. The tentative title is A Whisper on the Waves.)

Sara is in her late 40’s – early 50’s in Lady Lightkeeper. She’s proud of her Portuguese heritage and it is apparent in her appearance. She has long dark hair, an olive complexion and she is a tall woman. Sara is a very loyal person and she cares very much about Lizbeth and her family.

3 - Who does the "best friend" help in the book?
Sara helps Lizbeth and is her greatest supporter. However, she is also very helpful with Lizbeth’s children – Aidan and Marta.

4 - Does the best friend have a specific purpose in the book?
Sara is in the story as the former caretaker for Lizbeth when she was much younger. She’s a housekeeper and friend of Lizbeth, the main character. In Widow’s Walk she devoted all her time to help the family, but I gave her some story elements of her own in this book and she even has a boyfriend.

5 - How does your hero or heroine feel about the best friend?Lizbeth loves Sara like a mother. Lizbeth lost her mother when she was very young and Sara took care of her for over 15 years. They have a very strong bond, but it is tested within the pages of Lady Lightkeeper.

6 - How would your hero or heroine handle problems or difficulties with the best friend?This actually happens in the book. A long hidden secret is revealed to the town gossip. This woman mistreats Lizbeth at every opportunity and she loves to harass Sara – so getting word of a big secret is bad news for my heroine and her best friend. I can’t tell you how they handle it, because it gives a lot away.

7 - Are there problems between the best friend and your main characters?Only problems caused by Ida – the villain. But, she really stirs up some big trust issues.

8 - Do you see the best friend ever having their own story?Sara will have a short story of her own. She might get more exposure in the future that depends on reader feedback for A Whisper on the Waves.

9 - Was the best friend inspired by anyone you know?
I hadn’t really thought about this, but I have an aunt and a good friend who didn’t raise me, but they have always been there to support me. Sara doesn’t have any physical or personality traits like these two women, but their presence in my life could’ve inspired her character in some ways.

10 - Is there anything else about the best friend that we need to know? Feel free to share. The only thing I can think of is the fact that the story would be very different without her. She contributes a lot to the story and means a lot to Lizbeth and her family. It simply wouldn’t be the same without her. She’s also been a great character to write.

11 - Please provide your website link.
www.nikkileigh.com

12 - What is the link to buy your book?
Full order information is on my website at www.nikkileigh.com/books_4_sale.htm.

Dominic by Hazel Statham

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.
London 1775 – Eighteen-year-old Sophie Thornton is in the care of an abusive brother. When he attacks her in an attempt to coerce her into complying with his wishes she flees and finds herself sheltering on the Earl of Vale’s doorstep. Despite her naivety she enthrals the Earl and in time becomes his pupil and his love.

What's her name?
Sophie Thornton

Why did you pick that name?
I wanted to tie her into the sequel, ‘My Dearest Friend’ which is the story of her son. I actually wrote the sequel first. Despite being related, both books are stand alone and can be read without reference to the other.

Give us a brief description of how she looks.
Petite. Blonde curly hair and expressive blue eyes.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance?
Sophie has a penchant for dressing in boys’ clothing as she believes it gives her the freedom she lacks in her conventional role as a young Georgian lady.

Who does she love? Why?
Dominic Blake, Earl of Vale who rescues her from her tyrannical brother and in turn becomes her tutor and her love.

Does this person love her?
Although he tries very hard to deny the attraction, he nonetheless succumbs to his emotions.

Tell us about her family.
Both her parents are dead and her brother Raymond is her guardian. He is a violent man and a scoundrel. She also has a younger brother who is also mistreated by Raymond.

Where is she from?
London

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?
It is difficult for a young woman of her era to survive without the protection of a male member of her family and when she is forced to flee her home she finds she almost starves on the streets.

What does she want out of life?
Security!

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)
Under Dominic’s tutelage, she looks and acts as a boy.

Did you write more than one story about her?
No, this is her only appearance in a novel.

How would she describe you?
Kind – I hope!

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share.
She idolises Dominic from their first meeting.

Please provide your website link.
www.hazel-statham.co.uk

What is the link to buy your book?
http://www.amazon.com/Dominic-Hazel-Statham/dp/1597058009/ref=sr_11_1/104-9549334-9146335?ie=UTF8&qid=1186157065&sr=11-1

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet u

The TRUTH, I'm 10, I'm Smart and I Know Everything! by Dr Barbara Holstein

1 - Tell us a bit about your book.
My new book, THE TRUTH, I'm Ten, I'm Smart and I Know Everything, is a delightful, humorous secret diary, written by a girl who is 10-11 years of age. She is wise and yet so innocent. She makes us cry and laugh and remember ourselves. Behind this very easy read is the psychological message to the women reading THE TRUTH that they can and must recapture the fire and passion of their girlhoods not only for themselves to flourish and be happy, but for the next generation to also have the gifts of good emotional and spiritual health.

Women love the book and so do girls, ages 10-14. Women find it a pure delight-a hot fudge sundae with a secret message inside and no weight gain, while girls recognize themselves and finally feel totally understood!


2 - Tell us about the best friend - gender, age, appearance, how they came to be with the hero or heroine and anything else we need to know about them.
'The Girl' in The Truth, I'm Ten, I'm Smart and I Know Everything does indeed have a best friend, of sorts. Her best friend is the character Nancy Drew, who she idolizes and sees as the personification of being smart, and having a wonderful, adventurous life. She loves Nancy Drew because she stays focused on solving mysteries and is not seduced by other silly attractions like flirting or wasting time. Also, she loves Nancy because the girl even feel superior to Nancy, often solving mysteries before Nancy does.

3 - Who does the "best friend" help in the book?
Nancy Drew and her mysteries help 'The Girl' in powerful ways as she struggles with growing up. Nancy gives her courage to hold on to what is special about herself as she worries her way toward early adolescence.

4 - Does the best friend have a specific purpose in the book?
Yes, she does have a specific purpose. She is a heroine figure that 'The Girl' can play off of without any of the angst of a real life best friend.

5 - How does your hero or heroine feel about the best friend?
She adores her and wants to be like her when she is a teenager.

6 - How would your hero or heroine handle their problems or difficulties with the best friend?
That is kind of an unknown as this best friend is all in 'The Girl's' head. However, she would dearly like to really know girls of Nancy's passionate nature who also have purpose in their lives.


7 - Are there problems between the best friend and your main characters?
Of course there are not, as 'The Girl' is mistress of this friendship and always gets to feel smarter than Nancy Drew.

8 - Do you see the best friend ever having their own story?
Obviously Nancy Drew has had her own story and millions of dollars have been made from it as well as thousands of girls have been entranced in positive ways, as was my character.

9 - Was the best friend inspired by anyone you know?
Yes, of course, my memories of Nancy Drew.

10 - Is there anything else about the best friend that we need to know? Feel free to share.
I think we all probably know what we need to know about Nancy. Wasn't she your pal also?

11 - Please provide your website link.
www.enchantedself.com

12 - What is the link to buy your book?www.enchantedself.com/bookpage.html or Amazon.

Partially Human by Dwayne Anderson

1 - Tell us a bit about your book.

Partially Human is a story about a group of friends who discover that one of them possesses the genes of a dying alien species in his body and how they help him cope with it.

2 - Tell us about the best friend - gender, age, appearance, how they came to be with the hero or heroine and anything else we need to know about them.

The protagonist actually has several best friends, each of whom is his age. They were each originally each others’ friends, but included the protagonist in the group after he someone close to him moved away.

Rick Warris is an African-American whose parents and aunt were killed in a drunk driving accident. As a result, his uncle, a tavern keeper and motel operator who offers shelter for the homeless, stopped serving alcoholic drinks. His family has a history of racism against them.

Peter Christjes was raised in a religious family; everyone is named after a biblical character. His father is a minister of the church the protagonist attends. Peter frequently quotes from the bible which is his favorite work.

Eric Blonfly is the son of the police chief. He is the only member of the group to have a girlfriend, but one who is obnoxious, vain, self-centered, and henpeckles him.

3 - Who does the "best friend" help in the book?

These three friends continue to stand by their friend the protagonist of the story. They also later befriend three different girls and help them with their problems while becoming their new boyfriends in the process.

4 - Does the best friend have a specific purpose in the book?

Each does their best to help the protagonist cope with being ostracized by the city after his extraterrestrial heritage is revealed, thus demonstrating the true meaning of friendship and loyalty.

5 - How does your hero or heroine feel about the best friend?

At first, he is too depressed by his predicament to have his spirits lifted by his friends, but as he learns to accept himself, he appreciates the efforts of his friends who try to help him.

6 - How would your hero or heroine handle their problems or difficulties with the best friend?

There are no difficulties, problems, or conflicts, between the protagonist and his friends.

7 - Are there problems between the best friend and your main characters?

None.

8 - Do you see the best friend ever having their own story?

Everyone has their own story, yet if I were to write the complete story for each, I’d have to write one book for them all.

9 - Was the best friend inspired by anyone you know?

I have an online friend named Tiffany who I can depend on to brighten my day whenever I’m feeling down. She stands up for me when others put me down.

10 - Is there anything else about the best friend that we need to know? Feel free to share.

Nope, I’ve told you everything I know about them.

11 - Please provide your website link.

http://www.geocities.com/andersondwayne/dwaynegand.html

12 - What is the link to buy your book?

http://www.bbotw.com/description.asp?ISBN=0-7414-3990-5

It can also be purchased at Amazon

Killraven by Arline Chase

1 - Tell us a bit about your book.

KILLRAVEN is the story of Hope Voeschell, who was raised in a pacifist sect, and who, thanks to her best friend and former teacher, Elyza Whitely, moves to a small Chesapeake Bay island.

2 - Tell us about the best friend - gender, age, appearance, how they came to be with the hero or heroine and anything else we need to know about them.Elyza is ten years older than Hope, a self-proclaimed "horse-faced spinster," who has a jolly personality, but no real hope of romance. She is one of eight sisters, all of them prettier, and has dedicated her life to educating other people's children.

3 - Who does the "best friend" help in the book?Elyza was Hope's teacher after the county government insisted children from her sect MUST attend school. She also boarded with Hope's family. Elyza is the reason Hope wanted to be a teacher.

4 - Does the best friend have a specific purpose in the book?Several. She inspired Hope to look beyond the narrow precepts of her strict faith. She helped Hope get a scholarship to teacher's college. Then, when Hope found it impossible to get employment, again because of her faith, Elyza offered her a temporary home on Killraven Island.

5 - How does your hero or heroine feel about the best friend?The hero thinks of Elyza as "the schoolmarm" and is othewise not concerned about her. Hope is enormously grateful to Elyza and also feels beholden to her for the refuge she has offered.

6 - How would your hero or heroine handle their problems or difficulties with the best friend?
Hope would be lost without Elyza. She has been "shunned" by her own people for becoming a teacher and can never go home again.

7 - Are there problems between the best friend and your main characters?No. Elyza is supportive and kind.

8 - Do you see the best friend ever having their own story?
Elyza is the main character in a sub-plot of Killraven. So she does sort of have her own story.

9 - Was the best friend inspired by anyone you know?
No. She just toddeled on into a short story I was writing and the story tunred into a novel. Elyza grew with it.

10 - Is there anything else about the best friend that we need to know? Feel free to share. She dreams of finding a love of her own, but knows it's all moonshine.

11 - Please provide your website link.www.arlinechase.com

12 - What is the link to buy your book?http://www.amazon.com/Killraven-Arline-Chase/dp/1594311374/ref=sr_1_9/104-4441723-8273525?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186496718&sr=1-9

Runaway Hearts by Terry L. White

Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.: The heroine in my book is a real historical figure, a woman who was born a slave, helped take her family and friends North to freedom, a nurse and spy for the Union Army during the Civil War.

What's her name? Harriet Tubman, also known as Hat or Hattie, and Araminta as a child.

Why did you pick that name? Harriet Tubman was her real name.

Give us a brief description of how she looks. Harriet was a frail, wiry black woman.

Is there anything unusual about her appearance? No.

Who does she love? Why? Harriet loves Freedom. She had a husband but he stole her money and ran around with other women. His name was Tubman, but that is all he gave her.

Does this person love her? No.

Tell us about her family. Harriet’s family are all slaves. Her father runs a sawmill and she helps him.

Where is she from? Bucktown, in Dorchester County on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude? Her home town is part of a state divided on the question of slavery. Itinerant preachers tell the slaves that running away is stealing the master’s property, but the slaves know the Quakers and others will help them if they can get away from their home farm and avoid the patrollers.

What does she want out of life? Freedom.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

Did you write more than one story about her? No.

How would she describe you? Harriet would call me an old white woman. I don’t know if she would like me.

Is there anything else about your heroine that we need to know? Feel free to share. Harriet stopped at nothing to achieve freedom for her people and herself. Harriet Tubman founded what historians call the Underground Railroad.

Please provide your website link. http://www.terrylwhite.com

What is the link to buy your book? www.ebooksonthe.net or Amazon.com

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.

Feel free to email your answers to nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com and I'll add your information. They will be posted, but not all at once. That will give everyone an opportunity to get plenty of exposure.


You can find Terry L. White's books at www.ebooksonthe.net and amazon.com by typing her name in the search engines. Look for Runaway Hearts, Mystick Moon, Ancient Memories, The Last Priestess, Mustard Seed, Crazy Quilt, Hang Your Head Over, Imagine, Hell or High Water and more. Terry is also a bead artist and musician.

Fraterfamilias by Peter Ferrer

We want to hear about the bad guys, bad gals and villains in your book. Even if you don't have a murderer, thief or other "bad guy" there should be some negative force.

Who causes friction is the story?
The most dangerous character in the story is a Homicide cop named Charlie Rains. He's in a bad place in life, which makes him vulnerable to manipulation by someone very, very scary who wants him to gather information about one of the book's main protagonists, Alan Kedward. But Charlie also finds himself sympathizing with Alan. It puts him in a tug of loyalties between his blackmailer and Alan that endangers everyone.

Do you prefer bad guys or bad gals?
Bad gals, definitely. I want to read about tough gals who are willing to do bad things to get what they want, just like men. Do the bad things outright rather than manipulate men into doing them or dither over whether or not to do something bad that needs to be done.

How do you use your bad guys?
I have never believed in "villains", per se. In real life, everyone is the hero of their own story and the villain of their story is whoever tries to stop them from doing or getting what they want in life. Alan Kedward, for example, is trying to cover up for his brother, Paul Farrell, who murdered four people in Paris. So, depending on whether the POV belongs to Alan or the investigators pursuing his brother, he's either a good guy or a bad guy. Sure, he's in a lot of the book and a lot of the book is from his point of view. But that was true of the villains of Eye of the Needle and Day of the Jackal, too.

Do you enjoy writing the bad guys or do you find it difficult?
No, it's a fun challenge. You just keep in mind that no matter how scuzzy this person is, that person is the hero of his or her own story. It's the effect of his or her actions on others in the story that determines whether or not he or she is a villain. You should never write a character with whom you can't sympathize. It backfires and makes the reader dislike you for betting on the character. There's nothing more annoying than an insufferable protagonist.
And anyway, most of my protagonists are pretty bad, depending on how you look at them.

Whether you enjoy writing them or hate writing them, we'd like to know why you feel that way?
I think that people who are backed into a corner don't act "nice", and that a lot of times, people can do horrible things to others under the cover of being nice and polite. I find that the underdogs who have to do "bad" things to survive are far more fascinating than clean-cut heroes who don't have to question the rigid moral codes by which they judge themselves and everyone around them.

Who is your favorite bad guy in any of your books?
I'd have to say Charlie Rains. He's wonderfully conflicted. He's only a bad guy in this story. Doesn't mean he'll stay a bad guy. He's no Renfield in Dracula. The guy isn't weak, just in a bad place. He's capable of redemption.

Which bad guy and which book are they in?
Fraterfamilias.

Who is your favorite fictional bad guy -- that's not in your books?
Brian de Bois-Guilbert in Ivanhoe and Lucifer in Paradise Lost. Weren't they gloriously bad?

Is there anything else about your bad guys that we need to know? Feel free to share.
Keep an eye on them. They don't always stay bad. The good guys don't always stay good, either. It keeps things interesting.

Please provide your website link.
http://www.geocities.com/rpcv.geo/other.html

What is the link to buy your book?
http://www.virtualtales.com/StoryProducts~tn~Fraterfamilias.html

Thank you for telling us about your bad guys. We love to meet the "evil ones".
You're welcome!

Judi Moreo and Kim Baccelia - Virtual Tour Stops

Promotional Interview with Judi Moreo

This is the first author promotional interview that I've posted on my Self Promotion blog on the Inspired Author site. This is the first interview in a series that I'm doing with Kathleen Gage. She is posting some on her blog and I'll be posting all of the interviews on my site. To read about Judi Moreo's promotion - visit

http://inspiredauthor.com/v3/promotional-interview-judi-moreo-0

~ and ~

Kim Baccellia - Young Adult Author - Earrings of Ixtumea

Join Nikki Leigh and Muze as they interview young adult author Kim Baccelia about her book - Earrings of Ixtumea. This is the opening question of the interview - Nikki & Muze – I was reading the synopsis for your book and was intrigued by the inner struggle that your character faces. It’s also interesting that she is confronted by the same cultural problems in the fantasy world. Can you give us some information about how you came up with this idea and what sort of problems she deals with in the story?

Kim –As a bilingual teacher in the later ‘80’s and early ‘90’s, I saw a lot with my second language students. I taught in a LA county school district, close to East LA. I also was researching my own family history at this time. I was bothered how each year my students would draw themselves blond, blue-eyed, and fair skinned.

Click here to learn more about Kim and Earrings of
Iztumeahttp://muzesmusings.blogspot.com/

Nikki Leigh – Fiction Author – www.nikkileigh.com
Book Promo 101 – www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_101.htm
“Coastal Suspense with a Touch of Romance”

Judi Moreo and Kim Baccellia Virtual Tour Stops

Promotional Interview with Judi Moreo

This is the first author promotional interview that I've posted on my Self Promotion blog on the Inspired Author site. This is the first interview in a series that I'm doing with Kathleen Gage. She is posting some on her blog and I'll be posting all of the interviews on my site. To read about Judi Moreo's promotion - visit

http://inspiredauthor.com/v3/promotional-interview-judi-moreo-0

~ and ~

Kim Baccellia - Young Adult Author - Earrings of Ixtumea

Join Nikki Leigh and Muze as they interview young adult author Kim Baccelia about her book - Earrings of Ixtumea. This is the opening question of the interview -

Nikki & Muze – I was reading the synopsis for your book and was intrigued by the inner struggle that your character faces. It’s also interesting that she is confronted by the same cultural problems in the fantasy world. Can you give us some information about how you came up with this idea and what sort of problems she deals with in the story?

Kim –As a bilingual teacher in the later ‘80’s and early ‘90’s, I saw a lot with my second language students. I taught in a LA county school district, close to East LA. I also was researching my own family history at this time. I was bothered how each year my students would draw themselves blond, blue-eyed, and fair skinned.

Click here to learn more about Kim and Earrings of Iztumea
http://muzesmusings.blogspot.com/

Nikki Leigh – Fiction Author – www.nikkileigh.com
Book Promo 101 – www.nikkileigh.com/book_promo_101.htm
“Coastal Suspense with a Touch of Romance”

HOW TO SUBMIT

If you would like to see information about your book featured on this blog, I need you to answer the questions below and send the answers to me. This works best if you copy the questions into a document, answer the questions, save as a RTF (rich text file) and email them to me at nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com. Please list "My Best Friend's Story" in the signature line. You can also send a copy of your cover art if you would like me to include it with your post. I look forward to learning more about you and your book.


1 - Tell us a bit about your book.
2 - Tell us about the best friend - gender, age, appearance, how they came to be with the hero or heroine and anything else we need to know about them.
3 - Who does the "best friend" help in the book?
4 - Does the best friend have a specific purpose in the book?
5 - How does your hero or heroine feel about the best friend?
6 - How would your hero or heroine handle their problems or difficulties with the best friend?
7 - Are there problems between the best friend and your main characters?
8 - Do you see the best friend ever having their own story?
9 - Was the best friend inspired by anyone you know?
10 - Is there anything else about the best friend that we need to know? Feel free to share.
11 - Please provide your website link.
12 - What is the link to buy your book?