Saturday, April 6, 2013

Author Interview-Sandie La Nae



We had so much fun when psychic and paranormal investigator,  Sandie La Nae, visited last year, I've invited her back to chat about her latest book.

What draws you to investigate a particular location?
 There are many factors about the draw to particular locations with our paranormal team.

1. History. Historical places are always quite fascinating to investigate. You never know who you’ll find in an age old building or space.

2. Personal requests. Many of our cliental ask us to investigate their home, office, basement, attic, barn, an abandoned dwelling on their property, etc. Once word gets around about what we do….

3. Referrals…..others are very likely to contact us as they trust the referring party’s judgment of our investigative team.

4. Our interest. We have enquired at many locations the desire to investigate, which the owner of the building has been more than obliging.

5. Museums and Antique Stores: These places are full of spirits. Many people who have crossed over just don’t want to ‘leave’ a treasured item. So, they stay with it. If you don’t have a particular building to investigate, antique stores and museums offer a surplus of very interesting investigative opportunities.

6. Churches and Hospitals. Here again, these places have plenty of spirits to investigate. Churches once offered guidance, comfort and safety to a living being. Hospitals offered help, health and recovery. Both bring forth beginning and ending of life – in their own respective realms. Many of those who have crossed over stay in either place to continuously feel the comfort or good health.
Too, hospitals do have their own reasons for spirits to remain, which are reason enough for investigations, especially abandoned hospitals, institutions or asylums.

The list can go on and on, actually.

Tell us more about your latest book, The Dake House.
 I met the owner of the building in 2001 and have had a wonderful journey since learning about this notable dwelling that is on the National Registration of Historic Places list. It was built by Charles W. Dake – the one and only undertaker of Genoa, (the first settlement in Nevada) in 1872. In 1909 it was sold to Theodore P. Hawkins – once relief rider for the Pony Express. Purchased and restored by the owner’s parents in the 1960s, the family then experienced much spirit activity inside the house, now an Antique Store (featuring items of the time period when the home was built.)

One occurrence was the haunting of a large painting of pink roses in a vase on a table. When a buyer showed interest, the painting would drop off the wall (once almost causing a fire) or would completely disappear. Of course, this prevented any sales.
This painting happens to be globally known as it was featured by numerous regional media as well as reported on in many countries.

The history, the hauntings and spirit activity –all keen interests to me – brought forth my desire to write a book, which covers the building’s past and paranormal happenings. The Dake House was an important part of Genoa’s beginnings and I was honored to be the author to write the story of this historic structure.
 It is titled “The Victorian Past and Haunted Present of the Dake House.”

What is one of the more unexpected places that you discovered psychic activity?
I have to be honest and say that due to my abilities (I am a psychic and also can see those who are deceased) that not many places surprise me with their psychic or spirit activity. No matter where I go, into any old or new building, I see those who have crossed over that are still ‘residing’ in that particular structure.
    I have though, experienced a few locations which contain entities that are not considered spirits or ghosts. Seeing these beings are unnervingly unexpected, and potentially dangerous, so I try to usher my team members out of that room or building for all of our safety sake. There are certain energies in this world that are best left alone, and although they do alarm me, I am glad my abilities let me notice them so we can vacate any premises where our safety could be compromised. Ghost hunting is for data gathering, for honing abilities, for fun, not injury and terror.

Anything you’d like to add?
You can purchase the Dake House book, and many others that I have written via my website, www.sandiespsychicstones.com. Many of my books are also on Amazon Kindle under author
 Sandie La Nae.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to be a part of your wonderful blog site.
Sandie

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Saturday Shifters-Stacey Brutger



Tell me about yourself.  How long have you been writing?
 I came into reading late, but once I picked up my first book, I haven’t stopped since. I devoured books in every genre. That love changed subtly when I tried my hand at writing my own stories. I’ve been writing for over ten years, learning and improving my craft. After finishing ten books, I finally took the plunge and published my first book (Electric Storm) last year. It’s been a very exciting ride.
 
Where did the inspiration for this story come from?
Inspiration is everywhere. For BloodSworn, inspiration came in the form of one the title: BloodSworn. The plot quickly unfolded from there. But plot isn’t everything. Merrick, the lion shifter in my latest release, had a big hand in helping the characters come alive. He was domineering and very pigheaded on how he thought the story should be written. Trina was more subtle but no less demanding. Together, they were magic, their devotion and love touching, and they made the book come to life.

Who is your favorite shifter character from TV or the movies?
I love science fiction and fantasy, so picking only one character is tough. How about I pick a movie? I love the Underworld trilogy. The shifters were larger than life and more than just monsters. Not to mention the graphics were very well done.

What is your writing space like?
I converted a bedroom in my house to a makeshift library. I have a big, old metal desk that takes up a third of the room and half a dozen bookshelves packed high with thousands of books. Unfortunately, that doesn’t leave me much space to write. I have just enough space on my desk to place my laptop and that’s it. I love it!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? 
Thank you for having me on your blog, Mariposa!
I love hearing from readers. I can be reached through my site at http://www.staceybrutger.com/blog/ and http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5808420.Stacey_Brutger.

To find out more about my books, you can check my site where I have excerpts and pictures of some of my characters or at Amazon.com at http://amzn.com/e/B007SF2XOG

More about BloodSworn
Ten years after they bound her powers and banished her, Trina Weyebridge had successfully carved out a new existence in the human world. She put her life as a witch behind her. But, her magic would not be denied, the bindings holding them in check are weakening. Vampires who crave a taste of the powers stored in her blood are hunting her with deadly force and have kidnapped her sister to lure her out. In a desperate bid to free her sister and gain her own freedom, Trina bargains with the all-too-tempting lion shifter who calls out the long forgotten wild side in her...she would be his concubine in return for pack protection. She’d be safe…until they found out the truth.

UNDENIABLE DESIRE. FORBIDDEN LOVE. INESCAPABLE DESTINY.

When Merrick spots a female intruder living on his property, he’s intrigued by her daring. Curious to find out more, he follows her and comes to her aid when she falls prey to an attack. After weeks of unnatural silence, his beast awakens at her touch, and he suspects that she might be the only one able to save his race from a disease killing his kind. Not willing to take the chance of losing her, he binds her to him the only way he knows how…by claiming her as his own. All he has to do to save her is uncover the secrets of her past, stop a pack revolt, convince her that she’s desperately in love with him in return, and prevent a war

Monday, March 11, 2013

Roar Review-Long and Short Reviews

I'm excited to announce Roar! got a wonderful review from the Long and Short Reviews.


"I enjoyed how the author took the whole shape-shifter storyline out of the box (this is the first were-bear book for me) and made a wonderful niche in the paranormal genre for herself."

Check out the following link for the rest of the review: Long and Short Reviews.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Classic Horror Movie Reviews-Bloodlust



“Maniac hunts humans in a jungle hell!” Tagline

Four teenagers sail to what appears to be deserted tropical island.  They soon discover the island is owned by Dr. Balleau who has tired of importing big game to his island opting to hunt humans instead.   What starts as a light-hearted search for pirate treasure ends up as a desperate race for survival.  The film is considered a loose adaptation of Richard Connell’s 1924 short story “The Most Dangerous Game”.

The four teens are stock fright flick teen characters jock, glam gal, nerd and sporty girl. The Jock is portrayed by buff Robert Reed in his pre-Brady Bunch days. Glam gal happens to have a couple of judo moves which happens to turn (or flip) the situation in her favor later on in the film. 

Like most villains of classic horror, Dr. Albert Balleau is elegant and sinister.  Typical to form, he is ruthless without mercy yet never rude.  And you have to applaud his sense of style-- his henchmen are decked out in French sailor outfits with striped shirts and jaunty scarfs. 

Bloodlust will be appreciated by drive-in movie aficionados and grown-up Scooby Doo fans.  At 68 minutes there is still plenty of time to watch a Bella Lugosi flick and make it a double feature.
1961 B&W

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Saturday Shifters-Melissa Snark



Tell me about yourself.  How long have you been writing?
My name is Melissa Snark, which is actually a pen name, chosen to provide my poor family with a degree of privacy. For a kid, it is tough enough not wanting to be seen with your uncool mom. In real life, I'm mouthy and sarcastic. Throw in the fact that I write erotica and chronicle the adventures of the Snark family on my blog, and I'm nightmare mom.
My family is hysterical—three kids, four if you count Mr. Snark, and three cats. We're somewhere on the spectrum between Family Circus and Married With Children. Something is always going on. For instance, during my shower this morning my two-year-old daughter used her unsupervised break as an opportunity to unwind an entire roll of toilet paper. Then, as if that wasn't enough, she shredded some of it. It was everywhere—kitchen, office, on the stairs. You'd think she was a cat.
Anyway, back to writing. I've been writing since I was a kid. I think my first attempts at fiction were in my early teens. For the most part, my efforts have been in the fantasy genre, but I've strayed into romantic suspense also. Professionally, I have seven years of experience as a technical writer preparing device specifications, software manuals and other documentation. I'd periodically come back into fiction, especially during the years when I was a SAHM
.
Where did the inspiration for this story come from?
I conceived the original concept for Hunger Moon during a ski trip to Lake Tahoe during February. The winter mountains are so desolate and beautiful. I thought it would be the perfect backdrop for a werewolf tale. Up until that point, I'd been playing with the idea of writing a supernatural fantasy novel, but I wanted to stay away from vampires because there are already so many vamp stories. Wolves have always appealed to me. Once I conceived the idea for linking werewolf origins to Norse mythology, I developed my own origin story for shifter wolves descended from the mythological wolf, Fenris.
Who is your favorite shifter character from TV or the movies?
That's a hard one since there really aren't all that many shifter shows, and I don't watch the few that are out there. I had to really think about this one and I'd have to say that Oz, a werewolf from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is the coolest shifter guy of all time. Seth Green just has the best smirk and beautiful eyes. Also, Joss Whedon gave him really fantastic lines to work with.
What is your writing space like?
I share an open office area with my husband who is simply the biggest slob. Thankfully, he has his own desk so the mess is somewhat contained. My desk is actually just a black metal table, and I have to share my computer with my two-year-old who is fond of watching Dora the Explorer on one of my paired monitors. The child is slightly neater than my husband, but not much.
I dream about someday having my own office. With a solid door.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? 
Sure thing. I'd love to share my upcoming urban fantasy novel, Hunger Moon.  The first chapter is posted for free download on my website [http://www.melissasnark.com/hunger-moon-free-first-chapter/]. My release date will probably be sometime in April 2013.
Blurb:
Hunger Moon is an intense urban fantasy that follows the story of Valkyrie Victoria Storm as she evades hunters and battles a Norse winter witch intent upon enslaving her people. Victoria desires nothing more than to provide her wolf pack with a safe haven, but her position as priestess to the Goddess Freya also brings with it certain… obligations. Not to mention complications.

War with the Barrett family resulted in the deaths of her parents and most of her pack. Now, hunters are hot on the trail of the remaining pack members. Sawyer Barrett, a human hunter hell bent on revenge, is convinced that Victoria murdered his brother. He will stop at nothing to see her dead.

Victoria must defend the survivors and somehow lead them to safety. Months on the run has weakened the pack, and there are newborn pups to protect, making swift travel impossible. Ahead, the promise of refuge beckons.

Their best chance for survival lies in Sierra Pines, California: Arik Koenig, a powerful, dominant male wolf. He promises to protect and provide for the pack, something Victoria knows the pack needs for survival. His mysterious past is riddled with violence and death, including the slaughter of his entire family twenty years before. His wife died under mysterious circumstances and his son, Logan, is rumored to be her killer.

What is truth? Who can she trust? The desperate spirit of Arik’s murdered wife calls out for help, and Logan begs for assistance in clearing his name. Victoria must solve a murder that has pitted father against son, rooted in a mystery reaching back two decades. Her quest starts her on a journey from the human world to Odin’s Valhalla and back again.

Victoria will find salvation or face destruction beneath the Hunger Moon